Hockey Playoffs!

[JustAGuy]

Let's look on the bright side:  This year you have the unprecedented opportunity to give completely unbiased opinions about who will win the Stanley Cup.  So let's have 'em:  Who & Why.

Do you go with the old saw that goaltending wins playoffs  -- picking the Devils & Flames to meet?  Or do you believe this is truly the NEW NHL, with up-and-down action, obstruction rules enforced throughout the playoffs, and not-on-TV-unless-you're-in-a-home-market-or-live-in-Canada?  Which means Sens v. Red Wings, to me.

This has to be the Sens year.  I've suffered too long.  :(
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Ottawa has what it takes, for once. You'll see Alfredsson step up big in the playoffs this year. Opposing teams can't clutch n' grab no mo', so he's going to tear it up, and lead the Sens to the cup. Ray Emery is the variable. It's practically a lock if Hasek comes back in time; Ray Emery, though, is no slouch. I have a feeling that he'll do just fine.

One of my favourite parts of the play-offs are the predictions. Allow me to indulge myself:

Carolina vs Montreal is a walk; Carolina will win in either 4 or 5. With Montreal's goaltending in shambles, Carolina, who as dominated them all season, will just walk right over them. Carolina is a very strong defensive team to go along with some explosiveness up front. Carolina is too strong for Montreal.

Ottawa vs Tampa; Ottawa in 5. Tampa can't keep up with the offense, but might squeeze a win because of Ray Emery's playoff inexperience.

New Jersey vs. NY Rangers; I can see this series running long, 6 or 7 games. It'll end up being Jagr being the difference, beating an aging Brodeur. Jagr + space = goals. Plain and simple, doesn't matter who's in net.

Buffalo vs. Philli; Buffalo in 6. That young core they have is nice. Afinogenov and Briere are quite good. Did you see how Briere undressed the Montreal defensemen in their last game? A thing of beauty.

Detroit vs. Edmonton; Detroit in 6. Edmonton is gritty enough to prolong this series, but overall, the veterans and talent of Detroit will carry them through.

Dallas vs. Colorodo; Dallas is just too strong for a gimpy Colorodo team. Dallas in 5.

Calgary vs. Anaheim; I can see Calgary sweeping. Kiprosov is hot, and Ahaheim is without their starting goaltender. If Calgary's scoring heats up, they're headed to the Cup Final.

Nashville vs. San Jose; I honestly don't know. Joe Thornton might step up, or Nashville could continue to play well as a team. A 6 or 7 gamer to be sure. If I had to chose, I'd say Nashville edging SJ out. It might come down to which goalie gets hotter.

In the east, I see Ottawa beating the Rangers in 6, Carolina beating Buffalo in 5. Then, Ottawa beating Carolina in 6 or 7. That should be a very tough series.

In the west, it's more foggy. Likely, Calgary's goaltending beats Detroit's goaltending, and Dallas beats Nashville. Final has Calgary beating Dallas in 6.

Then, Ottawa beats Calgary in 5 or 6; Ottawa's offense will exploit Calgary's defense, despite the an excellent effort from Kiprosov to keep the games very close.

The key to all of this is how free the forwards can get. From watching tonight's games, I saw a lot of cautious defensive play, and sparse breakouts and open play. It only takes a few explosive moments, a couple of key rushes per game, to really turn a series. Ottawa has been known, all season long, to be devestating to opponents in a short period of time, scoring 2 or 3 goals in 5 minutes or so. They did it tonight, too. And that's precisely why they're going all the way this year.


As for the Leafs... MUHAHAHHA

MWWOOOUUAAAHAHAHAHHA!

...

MUOOOOUWAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

/hate Leafs