Although my team didn't make it in, I'm still beyond excited for the NHL playoffs, as I am every year. The Stanley Cup playoffs is arguably, the most exciting event in sports. I would compare it to the likes of March Madness, The College World series, and The World Cup of soccer.
I've been hooked on the NHL ever since I watched the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 1996. There is so much emotion packed into each and every goal, save, and hit throughout the playoffs. Some of the games that have gone on thought the years could not have been scripted any better. There's been many nights in April and May when I've been up through the middle of the night, watching six-overtime games. There's only one Stanley Cup. They don't make a new one every year. This is the same cup that all the greats have kissed over the past decades. When the cup runs out of room for new names, they just add an extra ring too it. The Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal for every hockey player since the first time they put on a jersey.
It all starts tomorrow night. The versus network is pretty much going to have double-header coverage of the games for the next two months. For those who are unfamiliar, the playoff teams consist of the top 8 teams from each conference. Sixteen teams total. Each match-up will consist of a best-of-seven series. For a team to win the Stanley Cup, they will have to win 16 games.
Here are the first round match-ups...
Western Conference:
#1 San Jose Sharks Vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks:
So Cal vs. Nor Cal. There should be some heavy offense here, with talented young players on each team. San Jose has a goaltender advantage with Nabokov. The Sharks are obviously predicted to be the winner at the #1 seed. I could see the Ducks maybe winning one game to make the series go 5 games.
My Pick: Sharks
#2 Detroit Red Wings Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
I'm definitely most excited to see this series play out. The Red Wings won the Cup last year, and this is the first time the Blue Jackets have made the playoffs in the history of their franchise. These two have become division rivals this season. Columbus's rookie goalie, Steve Mason, has been the one goalie that Detroit has not been able to score much on this season. He's the leading candidate for rookie of the year. I'm going to be rooting hard for the Jackets, and I think they could just maybe pull of the upset on the Wings who have only had mediocre goal tending all year.
My Pick: Blue Jackets
#3 Vancouver Canucks Vs. St. Louis Blues
This should be an easy series for the Canucks to win. They have the most talented goalie in the NHL, Robert Luongo, between the pipes for them. The Blues have had a surprisingly successful season, but they lack depth on offense and defense. St. Louis will be coming out the gate with a lot of energy, but they simply wont be able to keep up with this strong, experienced Vancouver squad. This could easily be a four game sweep for the Canucks.
My Pick: Canucks
#4 Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Calgary Flames
This will be another exciting series. I think this might be the closest series in the first round of the western match-ups. The Flames have made a great end of season run after making some huge moves at the trade deadline. However, they have been facing some key injuries lately. Chicago is FULL of young , raw talent that thinks they have just as good of a shot at the cup as any other team. They are a very balanced team in all positions. The flames goalie, Mikka Kiprusoff, must play nearly perfect in order to give his team a chance.
My Pick: Blackhawks
Eastern Conference:
#1 Boston Bruins Vs. Montreal Canadiens
This should be an extremely intense, physical series. These teams played each other a few days ago in the regular season, and there must have been over 100 penalty minutes total. These teams do not like each other at all. This is actually a rematch of last years first round match-up. Montreal won it last year, I think Boston has been way to consistent to choke now. This series could definitely go 7 games.
My Pick: Boston
#2 Washington Capitals Vs. New York Rangers
Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals are back in the playoffs once again. However, I think they are going to be the most over-rated team, at the #2 seed. They had a great regular season, but the playoffs are a whole different level of play, and I think New York has the experience and depth to pull of the upset.
My Pick: Rangers
#3 New Jersey Devils Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Marty Brodeur has had a landmark season, as he became the winningest goaltender in NHL history. He's already won the cup, but I'm sure he's thinking it would be the perfect cap to his monumental season. The only reason that Carolina made it into the playoffs is their goaltender, Cam Ward. He started the season off rusty, but he played remarkably this month. The only way that the Canes can keep up with the Devils in this series, is if Ward continues this level of play.
My Pick: Devils
#4 Pittsburgh Vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Yet another, in-state match-up in the first round. This will most likely be the most popular, and energetic series of the round, or possibly the entire playoffs. Both teams have lots of young fire power. I think the penguins are a bit deceptive at the #4 spot, as I think they have a good chance of going all the way to the finals. They made it all the way last year, I think they have no reason not to repeat.
My Pick: Pens
Well, I'm finally done blabbing. As you can tell, I really get into this. If you've never really sat down and watched the playoffs, I encourage you to at least watch one game. The atmosphere is incredibly intense and exciting. I'll probably be blogging on a daily basis about the previous nights events, giving my take on all of it.
Nick
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