Round 2 predictions

Was I the only one wandering around aimlessly without any hockey last night? After 14 straight days of at least one playoff game (and up to five some days) there was a break in the action. It was quite a downer I must tell you. I was forced to watch the NBA playoffs, which I suppose isn't the worst consolation but in no way as exciting as the NHL's second season. Maybe it's the Canadian in me, maybe it's the fact that I grew up playing the game, spending countless hours on the ice and in front of the TV watching it but there is nothing as exciting or intriguing as the great game that is hockey. Didn't I say in my first post on this fine blog that I would never wax poetic about the game itself? Well, I just did I guess. That's what one night off will do to you I suppose.

Here are my thoughts on round two:

(1) Montreal vs. (6) Philadelphia

It wasn't so easy for Montreal, but they got by Boston as everyone predicted. Philly on the other hand was a bit of a surprise winner for many as we all seemed to jump on the Washington bandwagon after their great finish to the regular season. This will certainly be an entertaining series full of scoring chances and goal scoring. Both teams have plenty of depth up front and have the two best power plays from the regular season. Philly's was equally as effective as it was during the regular season, but Montreal's went flat against Boston scoring only three times on 33 chances. We know of course that one round is too small a sample size to judge their power play, but special teams can become a huge factor in a playoff series. Montreal needs their PP to be effective to move on past the Flyers. Montreal has one of the best defensive pairings in the league with a healthy Mike Komisarek to go along with Andrei Mark0v. Komisarek hits, blocks shots and can chip in offensively when needed. He might be the best defensive defenseman in the league and can be a difference maker in the series if he can contain the likes of Mike Richards, Daniel Briere and company. The subplot of Briere vs. Montreal, the team he turned down a very lucrative offer from will be an interesting one and one that the Montreal fans and media will certainly enjoy. Expect the Bell Centre faithful to give Briere the very warmest of Montreal welcomes.

This series might come down to goaltending (surprise surprise). Martin Biron was magnificent at times against Washington and horrible the next. I'm not convinced that he is a top tier NHL goaltender, nor will he ever be. Does this sound like a broken record for the Flyers? Not since the days of the Ron Hextall eighties edition have they been secure in net to take them all the way. Montreal on the other hand has a long history of legendary goaltenders. Carey Price had a roller coaster first round. He was spectacular until game 5, had two rough outings then came back strong in game 7. That much we can expect from a 20 year old goalie, but I will take my chances with Price any day over Biron.

Habs in 6.

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (5) New York

What a matchup Pittsburgh vs. Washington would have been? It was not to be and I need to get over it, I know. Pittsburgh-New York is a nice trade off for the American networks: two of their top players vs. their biggest market team. The Penguins won't find it so easy to score on Henrik Lundqvist as they did on the Ottawa Senators, but they should have just enough fire power to get by. Marc-Andre Fleury was about as solid as you could ask for in the first round, but again playing the Senators is no great barometer right now. Sean Avery will do his best to get under his skin, not to mention Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh has a pretty effective pest of their own in Jarkko Ruutu which should make things interesting. The Pens also have one of the best intimidating heavy weights with George Laraques but that hasn't stopped Avery in the past. This won't be easy for Pittsburgh, but I've been with them since the very beginning, so I'm going to stick with them through this as well.

Pengs in 7.

(1) Detroit vs. (6) Colorado

As I said yesterday, it's not quite the same rivalry it once was, but the history doesn't hurt the intrigue of this series. There are plenty of stars on this team, not to mention future hall of famers (Sakic, Lidstrom and Hasek are sure things, Forsberg should be there too in my books). Chris Osgood seems to have taken the reigns over as number one goalie after Hasek's two dismal performances in Nashville. The Red Wings seem to win regardless of who's in net. Each goalie notched 27 wins during the regular season and both had goals against average's just about 2 per game. Jose Theodore was fantastic vs. Minnesota and needs to be this time around if the Avs want a chance to make it to the conference finals. Colorado can score with the best of them and when Theodore is on his game he is tough to beat, but one area of concern with the Avs is their blueline. Detroit is fantastic on the forecheck where guys like Franzen, Cleary and Draper are at their best, they have two of the most skilled forwards in the game with Datsyuk and Zetterberg (both are some of the best two way players in the game as well) and a player man consider "the best player in front of the net" in Tomas Holmstrom. It won't be like the late nineties, but it will be fun nonetheless.

Wings in 6.

(2) San Jose vs. (5) Dallas

One team pulled off the biggest upset of the first round, the other avoided the biggest upset of the first round. As much as I ragged on the Ducks yesterday for their poor showing in the first round, Dallas deserves a share of the credit for their play. They capitalized on the chances the Ducks afforded them with. Their powerplay was excellent going 10 for 38, their defenseman stood strong against the big Ducks forwards and Turco didn't repeat any of his poor playoff performances. The Stars will again miss Sergei Zubov and are now without Philippe Boucher after he went down with a strained hip. Zubov may return at some point during the series and Boucher's return is uncertain. Turco and the Stars now very young blueline (sporting three rookies with Matt Niskanen, Nicklas Grossman and Matt Fistric) will be counted on to shoulder the load and will have a tough time containing the Sharks. Joe Thornton did not disappear in the first round and Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo both made an impact after disappointing regular seasons. Ryan Clowe and Joe Pavelski played like all-stars vs. Calgary and probably won't be as effective throughout the rest of the playoffs, but can certainly provide some much needed secondary scoring. And how about Jeremy Roenick? Scratched in game 6, he comes back and has maybe the best game of his hall of fame career. I've always been a big fan of JR for both his style of play on the ice and his personality off it. He's become a role player now, but has a very good chance of finally capturing a Stanley Cup. The struggle against the Flames might have provided the Sharks with a wake up call or on the other hand exposed some of their flaws. After this series is over, we will have a much better indication of where this team is. It will certainly be close and the Stars are no after thought, that is for sure.

Sharks in 7.