Lets quickly look at the various matchups while you bail out your basements and garages from the spring run-off. I am about to sue my village so buy this paper so I can afford the litigation.
Eastern Conference
Boston vs. Montreal - Tim Thomas wins the Vezina and the Bruins take the Habs in five or six games. I could see a sniper at the Bell Centre hitting Chara, but it merely ricochets off his robotic body and nicks off about four inches of Milan Lucic?s nose making him look nearly human. I hate their hockey team as much as their baseball team. But they should take the series.
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo - The Flyers should roll, but while the Sabres have better goaltending Philly is tougher and has a deeper roster with consistent secondary scoring that should prevail in five games unless Miller steals another game. Richards, Carter, Giroux and Briere will give Miller fits and while everyone else grows their playoff beards he?ll be bringing out the razor before May.
New York vs. Washington - Ovechkin and crew peaked a bit early, but this one is a toss- up. It?ll likely be a wide-open seven-game series with Rangers? coach John Tortorella?s inner alien finally bursting from his chest. Don?t be surprised if Avery doesn?t lose this series for the Rangers all by himself.
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay - Two words come to mind: Sydney Crosby. The Penguins had a great second half and have enough depth to make it interesting. As in most cases heroes appear out of thin air and sometimes a goalie can break your heart or steal it for that matter if you enjoy sweaty goalies for companionship. Lecavalier looks young again so bank on seven high scoring games. Syd will steal the show with a surprise appearance unless they lose the first couple of games and choose to ride out the year without him. It?s your call on this one.
As predicted early, and echoed by most experts, either Philly or Boston is likely to represent the East when the cup is on the line.
Western Conference
Vancouver vs. Chicago - Luongo has never inspired any confidence from this scribe, and has a history of folding in the clutch. Without Crosby he would have cost Canada Olympic gold. Kessler may be more important than the twins and the coach seems to inspire hopes that the cup will return to Canada where it belongs. The Blackhawks still have a handful of stars, but on paper the Canucks win in six with the leagues deepest roster.
Detroit vs. Phoenix - What is it with this endless Cinderella story out of the desert? If Zetterberg is healthy and Cleary stays hot, then Lidstrom may see the finals again. A saw-off between goalies and while the experts think that Phoenix seems to have a miracle waiting to happen I?m still taking Detroit in six and I?ll see you in Winnipeg soon.
San Jose vs. Los Angeles - The Sharks have the scoring punch to punch out Jon Quick and are overdue for post-season success. Rosters are about even but before the Mayan prediction for the end of all life on earth, Joe Thornton might finally prove his leadership. Throw in Heatley, Marleau and Boyle and take the Sharks will win in five.
Anaheim vs. Nashville - I have a funny feeling about the Ducks but after they get past Nashville in six, their days are numbered. The Ducks have had a great year out of Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan and plenty of toughness. A healthy goalie would help. The Predators have a balanced but no-name lineup that has turned heads all season.
The Ducks roll in five if they call me to play goal. Emery is a bum.
Hard not to lean towards Vancouver to rule the West, but Luongo has to prove more than the fact that he is the only guy other than Todd Bertuzzi who can grow a playoff beard by lunch every day.
Canucks and Detroit would be fun - as long as it all comes down to both losing to either Philly or Boston for this old geezer.
