NHL Playoffs.

[abpk2903]

1. Blackhawks 6
8. Wild

4. Blues
5. Kings 6

3. Canucks
6. Sharks 7

2. Ducks
7. Red Wings 5

Eastern

3. Capitals
6. Rangers 7

4. Bruins
5. Maple Leafs 6

1. Penguins 6
8. Isles

2. Montreal
7. Sens 7

If the Leafs wouldn't have went in the tank over the last few minutes last night I would have been 8 for 8. But here are my round 2 picks:

(1) Pens vs. (7) Sens

This one could get ugly. Heard on NHLNetwork Radio this morning that Ottawa is organizing a Matt Cooke Hate Rally. Spezza is back on the ice and practicing but I doubt he will be a factor in this series. Penguins are better in every aspect of the game other than goaltending. Usually the best goaltender wins but in this case a top 6 forwards of Sid, Geno, Neal, Iginla, Kunitz, and Dupuis is going to be enough to overcome it. This series is going to be very close Pens with an OT winner in game 7.

(4) Bruins vs. (6) Rags

Lundquist is the best goalie in the league right now. It's not often that a team gets outplayed and still wins 5-0 in a game 7. Nash and Richards were non-existent in that game, as well. Bruins could go in two different directions after one of the best comebacks in NHL playoff history. Will they look burnt-out and take a game or so to get going again or will they look rejuvenated with life? I say it doesn't matter and Lundquist steals a game or two for the Rags. Rangers in 6.

(1) Hawks vs. (7) Wings

Red Wings seem to figure it out this time or year. Nice comeback from being down 3-2 in the last round. Howard is playing well between the pipes. I think the Wings win one on the road and push the Blackhawks deep into this series. Too much firepower from Chicago in this one. I see this one being very similar to the Pens and Sens. Hawks in 7

(5) Kings vs. (7) Sharks

San Jose has been so streaky this year. They were red hot out of the gate, one of the worst teams in the league over the middle course of the season, and now red hot again. I love the deadline moves to get their young defensemen in the lineup and moving Burns from defense to winger is brilliant, as well. Kings have shown the heart of a champion after dropping two heartbreakers on the road against the Blues to come back and rattle off 4 in a row to move to round 2. This is a very tough call. Something tells me the Sharks are gonna beat them and I have no idea why. So Sharks in 6.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Pens looked good in game 1. The offense seemed to control the puck, and get plenty of good looks early on in the game, and that really set the tone. Vokoun looked better as the game wore on, but that first period he looked shaky.

Long wait till Friday.


Kings beat Sharks 2-0 late night, I didn't stay up for it.


Blackhawks-Red Wings at 8 tonight.

[Manfred]

Vokoun was a GREAT addition last year, but after sitting 3 games now, what does high-priced Marc Andre Fleury think? Is he going to pout now, or if he does play the next game, go into a shell instead of reaching inside for a bit of greater play? Can't wait for the drama.