In the East I think Pittsburgh will get back to the final.
I have a good feeling for Buffalo.
I think Washington will go out in the second round. I do not think the Devils have it this season.
I am betting Ottawa will take an early exit, maybe win a game. Montreal does not have the goaltending needed for a long playoff run.
In the West I hope Calgary can get in, but I am not holding my breath.
Luongo can take Vancouver a long way and if the Canucks can all get on the same page then I like them to get to the West final and maybe go all the way.
This may finally be the year of the Sharks. Joe Thornton needs to step up. Nabokov has to shake off the Olympic experience and get back to the way he can play, if he does then the Sharks have a chance.
I do not think Chicago will surprise anyone this time around and with their goaltending questions it is one and out for the Hawks. Maybe Detroit will knock off the Wings in the first round, in any event I do not see them going past two.
Phoenix is the wild card. No idea what they can do in the playoffs. Sure they are looking good now, but the playoffs are a different animal.
In the end I will go with Vancouver to finally bring the Cup back to Canada.
Vancouver over Pittsburgh in the final.
In the East I think Pittsburgh will get back to the final.
I have a good feeling for Buffalo.
I think Washington will go out in the second round. I do not think the Devils have it this season.
I am betting Ottawa will take an early exit, maybe win a game. Montreal does not have the goaltending needed for a long playoff run.
In the West I hope Calgary can get in, but I am not holding my breath.
Luongo can take Vancouver a long way and if the Canucks can all get on the same page then I like them to get to the West final and maybe go all the way.
This may finally be the year of the Sharks. Joe Thornton needs to step up. Nabokov has to shake off the Olympic experience and get back to the way he can play, if he does then the Sharks have a chance.
I do not think Chicago will surprise anyone this time around and with their goaltending questions it is one and out for the Hawks. Maybe Detroit will knock off the Wings in the first round, in any event I do not see them going past two.
Phoenix is the wild card. No idea what they can do in the playoffs. Sure they are looking good now, but the playoffs are a different animal.
In the end I will go with Vancouver to finally bring the Cup back to Canada.
Vancouver over Pittsburgh in the final.
Master 21pro, not sure about the Canucks, but what makes your think the Sabres has it in them to win it all in the playoffs??? They were vastly inconsistent since the second half of the season. Even if they peak at the right time, they do not have enough scoring might and defense to make it to the big dance. Once again, their small minded GM Darcy Regier betrayed them by not doing enough at trade deadline. Hate to say it, but the Sabres has not enough heart, grit, passion, and focus to go far and deep. Depends on who their playoff opponents are, the 'don't have a clue' Sabres probably play themselves to a first or second round exit.
unless luongo gets his act together the canucks aren't going anywhere in the playoffs!!!! he has been stinking during and since the olympics. come to think of it he stunk the 10 games before the olympics as well. injuries to samuelsson (2nd in team goals), demitra (leading scorer in olympics), and mitchell (best shut down d-man) don't help matters either.
i pick the hawks out of the west, assuming the get some semblance of goaltending.
While not being super-impressive Theodore has come into his own, and with a lot of offensive help has lead Washington to a lead of 14 pts in the East.
A Wash / Pitt East final looks destined, as long as Pitt finishes #2 in the East. Picking that winner is for the gambler.
In the West we know all about SJ's playoff faults, and really besides adding Heatley and a couple of small pieces, the keys to the playoffs are still the same - a shaky goalie Nabokov and a top line center who can never make it back to play defense against the elite forwards. I don't see them past the 2nd round with an improving/getting healthy Red Wings and surprising Phx team. I like Chicago to come out of the West especially if the defensive core (Keith, Seabrook and Campbell) are all healthy. Van city has been struggling especially Luongo and we as Canadians can only hope he pulls it together in time.
Detroit the verteran playoff team is peaking at the right time, with all players healthy and good solid verteran leadership. Any team will be concerned to play Detroit in the playoffs.
Detroit the verteran playoff team is peaking at the right time, with all players healthy and good solid verteran leadership. Any team will be concerned to play Detroit in the playoffs.
