So first round I went 7/8 but I wasn't very good at choosing the number of games. Going 1/8 I only predicted Colorado in 6 correctly.
For the Second round here are the match ups
Eastern Conference
- Montreal Vs Philadelphia
While the Habs had a tough time against Boston in parts of the first series I still have to give the edge to Montreal. Game 7 of the Boston / Montreal series showed what Montreal can do. Namely expect great goal tending from Price and good offense from a variety of sources. Also for Montreal is the return of Koivu, just having him back in the lineup gave Montreal a good jump in their step. If only they can get the PP back to how it was in the regular season.
Philly has a few good offensive weapons and solid goal tending from Biron. They are likely to play a similar game to Boston in trying to shut down the Various Montreal weapons. The keys to Philly will be Briere and Biron if they can get Biron to steal games and Briere to rack up the points then they will be in good shape.
That being said I expect Montreal to win in 6.
- Pittsburgh vs New York (Rangers)
Pittsburgh may suffer a little bit for beating the Senator's a little too easily. After having a week off the question is there as to whether the rust will show in game 1. Pittsburgh though has so many offensive tools the Rangers will need to shut them all down. The keys for Pittsburgh are Malkin, Crosby and Fleury. Fleury will need to be on his game but there should be ample scoring to cover and lapses.
The Rangers have experience, and a good all around team on paper. The problem is that the team hasn't played as expected for most of the year. If they can get Jagr / Gomez / Drury etc to play like they can then they will give Pits a run for their money. The key factors for the Rangers are Lunqvist who wil be expected to steal games with his superb goal tending and Sean Avery who was key in the first round in aggravating Brodeur to the point that he refused to shake his hand at the end of the first round.
I wish I could wait till the first game ti get a sense out of both of them but I think the Penguins will continue on their march to the Eastern Conference finals.
Penguins in 7
Western Conference
- Dallas vs Sharks
While I had predicted the Sharks to win the first round I was still rooting for Calgary to take them down, and they almost did. The Sharks are going to need Nabakov to continue his soon to be Vezina winning season and steal some games. If he does and Thornton, Marleau and crew wake up then they will rock the house. I just don't think they will.
The Stars are riding high and seemingly getting better and better. With Zubov expected to come back soon that just adds another offensive weapon on a team that already is overflowing. Turco has shown that he can play well in a series and I expect he will be a much more formidable opponent then Kipper was in the first round.
The Sharks are the favorite of many to win the cup this year but I see Dallas going to the Western Conference finals having taken out last years cup winner and this years favorite.
Stars in 6
- Detroit vs Colorado
Colorado was able to dispatch the wild just as I had predicted in 6 games which I also predicted. They got the presence and leadership from their veterans which were able to get them through. If they are going to get through Detroit though they will need Stastny to rack up a few points after being invisible in the first round.
Detroit (my favorite to take the cup) is still flying high. With 2 solid net minders when Hasek faltered Osgood stepped in and showed why he was at the all star game with a very impressive performance. The wings also have various offensive contributors and hall of fame defense in Lidstrom.
Unless something tragic happens I predict Detroit to win this series. I'll be happy though if either team wins as I love to watch the old Colorado team back together again.
Detroit in 7
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