The NHL Playoffs start Wednesday April 14, and sixteen great teams will fight it out for the Stanley Cup. But winning the ultimate prize comes with both skill and a little bit of luck. In the West, two teams are entering the playoffs with very little experience, and that could be a downfall. Others are entering hot, while other teams have free fallen in the past several games, which could lead to a short post-season run.
It is safe to say that each series has the potential for a great battle, and below, I have provided my thoughts on each match-up with predictions on the winner, length of series, average goals per game, and other notes. Today, I will post up my predictions in the Western Conference - tomorrow I will post up the East.
[1] San Jose Sharks vs. [8] Colorado Avalanche
The San Jose Sharks have disappointed fans (and themselves) in the playoffs over the past few seasons, but all those lost games will eventually lead to experience and ultimately success. The Sharks boasted the best record in the West and are going into the playoffs extremely hot, with a last-10 record of 8-1-1. However, Nabakhov's goaltending has been volatile since the Olympic break, and questions in goaltending can not be avoided. Heatley has been the best acquisition by the team this year and could be what the Sharks need to make it to round 3. The team currently has no key injuries that can hold them back, so expect the Sharks to end this series as soon as possible.
On the other side, the Avs have fallen from division contenders to eighth in the West. Anderson's goaltending as of late has been a little shoddy, and after 82-games, the Avs have the most goals allowed in the west (out of all playoff teams). That doesn't hold well against one of the leagues most elite scoring teams. Key injuries to Duchene and Mueller will prove costly and their mediocre special teams will have to turn it up.
With that being said, San Jose will win this series 4-1; games will be high scoring, mostly on the Sharks part, so betting over could prove profitable.
[2]Chicago Black Hawks vs. [7]Nashville Predators
The Hawks are one of the league's young and talented teams, with many more years of success on the horizon. Toews and Kane will prove to be key assets and as long as their scoring success continues, this will be a short series. People had questioned the Hawks goaltending, but considering they are second in the west in goals allowed, I believe it is not justified. Their goaltending issues clearly stems from inexperience, but let's not forget that the job of a goalie is just to keep the puck out, so I personally believe experience should not be too much of a factor, especially since Nashville's goaltending is not extremely any better. The Hawks have both youth and veteran players with Stanley Cup rings, and their penalty killing will prove beneficial.
The Predators on the other hand should expect a tough, and short series. They are going in with the 4th worst penalty-killing in the entire league, and the worst of all playoff bound teams. The only way the Predators can win is if they can stay out of the box and some how exploit Niemi. Another downfall with this team is their weakness in offense. They have the fewest goals for of any playoff team and goaltending has not been strong either. Although the team has 18 more wins than losses, they have scored and allowed an equal amount of goals. The team lacks impact players that can turn the tide in a 2-2 game.
Chicago should win this series easily, with a possible sweep. This series should not go more than 5 games and games will be low scoring, with the majority being from the Hawks.
[3]Vancouver Canucks vs. [6]Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks have proven to be an elite team for the first time in many years. They were always pretenders, but this year, they are Canada's best chance at a Stanley Cup. Offense had been a long-time issue for this team, but this year, the Sedin's are hot, with Henrik winning the Art Ross and scoring coming from all four lines and the back end. If the top line is shut down, secondary scoring should get the job done. Luongo's solid play in the Olympics will also give the team confidence, however, his play during the NHL year should also be questioned. The Canucks have allowed 222 goals this year, which is only 2 goals below the entire NHL average. Luongo is supposed to be one of the greatest ever, but which Luongo will show up? The Olympic gold medalist or the average goalie he has been often named.
The Kings are making their first appearance in 8 years. Another young team with a many more years to go. First round picks, Kopitar, Doughty, and others will finally get a chance to feel the energy that is the playoffs. One concern will be Quick's goaltending. He has not won a game in 8 attempts, and had a poor performance to end his season against the Oilers. Ersberg will not get the start, so if Quick wants to win this series, he must muster the confidence to beat the top scoring line in the league.
Each team have remarkably similar special teams statistics, but the key difference is the recent goaltending. The Canucks will win this series in 7 with games reaching six or more goals very probable.
[4]Phoenix Coyotes vs. [5]Detroit Red Wings
The Coyotes have shown that if a team concentrates on playing hockey, they can be successful. All the off-ice drama and attention has not affected this team's continued winning throughout the year, led by Bryzgalov fantastic goaltending. Phoenix has allowed the fewest goals in the West and expect that to continue. Trade deadline acquisitions (Stempniak and Wolski) have paid dividends to the team. One concern is the teams lack of experience in the playoffs.
The Red Wings are going in extremely hot. Just a month ago, they were fighting for 8th place, but leaped up to 5th, and if the season was any longer, would have taken 4th. The Wings have an abundance of experience, and almost all their players have won the Stanley Cup prior (mostly as a Wing). This team is not the same team as they had been prior to the Olympics, and a run back to the Finals for the third year in a row is not out of the question. Howard, who had question marks all around him, has proven he is the go-to guy, but whether or not he can out battle Bryzgalov remains to be seen. The team has just too much experience and can handle the pressure. Too many players have been here before, and it may just be another game to them.
This series will be very interesting, but the Wings should take this series in 6, possibly 7. Scoring will be low, but key players on the Wings, like Zetterberg and Datsyuk will shine in the playoffs.
Well those are my picks and some of my reasons. What are your thoughts on my picks, or do you have your own reasons why you agree or disagree? Let me know.
2010 NHL Playoff Predictions: Western Conference Quarter Finals
The NHL Playoffs start Wednesday April 14, and sixteen great teams will fight it out for the Stanley Cup. But winning the ultimate prize comes with both skill and a little bit of luck. In the West, two teams are entering the playoffs with very little experience, and that could be a downfall. Others are entering hot, while other teams have free fallen in the past several games, which could lead to a short post-season run.
It is safe to say that each series has the potential for a great battle, and below, I have provided my thoughts on each match-up with predictions on the winner, length of series, average goals per game, and other notes. Today, I will post up my predictions in the Western Conference - tomorrow I will post up the East.
[1] San Jose Sharks vs. [8] Colorado Avalanche
The San Jose Sharks have disappointed fans (and themselves) in the playoffs over the past few seasons, but all those lost games will eventually lead to experience and ultimately success. The Sharks boasted the best record in the West and are going into the playoffs extremely hot, with a last-10 record of 8-1-1. However, Nabakhov's goaltending has been volatile since the Olympic break, and questions in goaltending can not be avoided. Heatley has been the best acquisition by the team this year and could be what the Sharks need to make it to round 3. The team currently has no key injuries that can hold them back, so expect the Sharks to end this series as soon as possible.
On the other side, the Avs have fallen from division contenders to eighth in the West. Anderson's goaltending as of late has been a little shoddy, and after 82-games, the Avs have the most goals allowed in the west (out of all playoff teams). That doesn't hold well against one of the leagues most elite scoring teams. Key injuries to Duchene and Mueller will prove costly and their mediocre special teams will have to turn it up.
With that being said, San Jose will win this series 4-1; games will be high scoring, mostly on the Sharks part, so betting over could prove profitable.
[2]Chicago Black Hawks vs. [7]Nashville Predators
The Hawks are one of the league's young and talented teams, with many more years of success on the horizon. Toews and Kane will prove to be key assets and as long as their scoring success continues, this will be a short series. People had questioned the Hawks goaltending, but considering they are second in the west in goals allowed, I believe it is not justified. Their goaltending issues clearly stems from inexperience, but let's not forget that the job of a goalie is just to keep the puck out, so I personally believe experience should not be too much of a factor, especially since Nashville's goaltending is not extremely any better. The Hawks have both youth and veteran players with Stanley Cup rings, and their penalty killing will prove beneficial.
The Predators on the other hand should expect a tough, and short series. They are going in with the 4th worst penalty-killing in the entire league, and the worst of all playoff bound teams. The only way the Predators can win is if they can stay out of the box and some how exploit Niemi. Another downfall with this team is their weakness in offense. They have the fewest goals for of any playoff team and goaltending has not been strong either. Although the team has 18 more wins than losses, they have scored and allowed an equal amount of goals. The team lacks impact players that can turn the tide in a 2-2 game.
Chicago should win this series easily, with a possible sweep. This series should not go more than 5 games and games will be low scoring, with the majority being from the Hawks.
[3]Vancouver Canucks vs. [6]Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks have proven to be an elite team for the first time in many years. They were always pretenders, but this year, they are Canada's best chance at a Stanley Cup. Offense had been a long-time issue for this team, but this year, the Sedin's are hot, with Henrik winning the Art Ross and scoring coming from all four lines and the back end. If the top line is shut down, secondary scoring should get the job done. Luongo's solid play in the Olympics will also give the team confidence, however, his play during the NHL year should also be questioned. The Canucks have allowed 222 goals this year, which is only 2 goals below the entire NHL average. Luongo is supposed to be one of the greatest ever, but which Luongo will show up? The Olympic gold medalist or the average goalie he has been often named.
The Kings are making their first appearance in 8 years. Another young team with a many more years to go. First round picks, Kopitar, Doughty, and others will finally get a chance to feel the energy that is the playoffs. One concern will be Quick's goaltending. He has not won a game in 8 attempts, and had a poor performance to end his season against the Oilers. Ersberg will not get the start, so if Quick wants to win this series, he must muster the confidence to beat the top scoring line in the league.
Each team have remarkably similar special teams statistics, but the key difference is the recent goaltending. The Canucks will win this series in 7 with games reaching six or more goals very probable.
[4]Phoenix Coyotes vs. [5]Detroit Red Wings
The Coyotes have shown that if a team concentrates on playing hockey, they can be successful. All the off-ice drama and attention has not affected this team's continued winning throughout the year, led by Bryzgalov fantastic goaltending. Phoenix has allowed the fewest goals in the West and expect that to continue. Trade deadline acquisitions (Stempniak and Wolski) have paid dividends to the team. One concern is the teams lack of experience in the playoffs.
The Red Wings are going in extremely hot. Just a month ago, they were fighting for 8th place, but leaped up to 5th, and if the season was any longer, would have taken 4th. The Wings have an abundance of experience, and almost all their players have won the Stanley Cup prior (mostly as a Wing). This team is not the same team as they had been prior to the Olympics, and a run back to the Finals for the third year in a row is not out of the question. Howard, who had question marks all around him, has proven he is the go-to guy, but whether or not he can out battle Bryzgalov remains to be seen. The team has just too much experience and can handle the pressure. Too many players have been here before, and it may just be another game to them.
This series will be very interesting, but the Wings should take this series in 6, possibly 7. Scoring will be low, but key players on the Wings, like Zetterberg and Datsyuk will shine in the playoffs.
Well those are my picks and some of my reasons. What are your thoughts on my picks, or do you have your own reasons why you agree or disagree? Let me know.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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