All right, guys...I see I was 50% for my last round predictions, mostly because I just simply hate Vancouver. They managed to beat San Jose, much to my chagrin, and don't even look like they came out of it very beat up. As with every other year in recent memory, the Sharks choked and simply cannot close the deal. I think we're all running out of things to say about them.
Boston did beat Tampa, as I hoped, although it took one more game than I thought it would. And what a game seven! Goalie dual and truth be told, the way Roloson was playing for the Bolts I think Boston was lucky to get out of there. But Horton came through with his second game seven winner of this playoff season so away we go to Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks
vs.
Boston Bruins
No one, and I mean absolutely no one is giving Boston a chance in this series. Not even Bobby Orr is picking the Bruins. And I can see why. Vancouver does look to be the overall better team here, I think. After finally shaking the Chicago monkey off their backs, they have looked like the first palce club they are making it all the way to this final round. They have the pieces, they are playing well and they are pretty healthy. Luongo is dying to finally win a Cup to solidify the legacy he's been threatening to build and he may just lead them there this time.
I will say again, at the beginning of the playoffs I picked Boston to win the Cup, so it makes me extremely happy to see them here in the finals. Of course, I thought they would be playing some other western team once they got here, rather than the 'Nucks. Horton has been a monster, Thomas is still riding high and many other players are coming together to make this team deeper than it appears. Chara leading on defense and playing well. If only they could score a power play goal, it would be hard to find holes in their game.
I think Boston has more "men" on its team. Lucic, Horton, Chara...even Recchi, et al. Compared with the likes of the Butter Twins, Burrows, Erhoff, etc., I like Boston. Having said that I believe guys like Kesler for Vancouver can make a huge difference for their team as he's already proven. In my head, I know most people are right; this is very likely Vancouver's year and it would take a lot of work from the hockey Gods to enable Boston to get past them. But I just can't do it. I hate those buggars and I have to stick to my original predictions, don't I? If there's one things the playoffs teach us and remind us of every single year, is that anything can happen. That's the beauty of sport and why we play these games at all. Anything can happen. I'm going on a limb to say anything WILL happen....
Boston for the Stanley Cup.....in seven.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Western Confernce Championship
Okay, well...the semi-finals finally ended and it did so with all the bravado that I predicted it would: San Jose took it in the seventh game. That went down as one of the best series of the playoffs so far, I'd say. Datsyuk played unbelievable, especially when you consider he did it with one wrist. I don't think he took one faceoff over the final two games, but he still managed to take control with dazzling passes and timely goals. Despite those efforts, it wasn't enough to overpower the Sharks.
Vancouver Canucks
vs.
San Jose Sharks
Since beating Chicago in the first round, I believe Vancouver has shaken a bit of a monkey off their backs. But now they play San Jose, who really has been living the Canucks fate for the past six years or so. A perennial first place finisher whose regular season prowess doesn't always translate into post season success. The Sharks have had a lot of practice at what the Canucks are trying to do, and the Nucks are desperately trying to ensure they don't become the same team. The Sedins have yet to show up in these playoffs, but by the way Kesler and others are stepping up, it might not matter.
I hate Vancouver, so I would likely cheer against them for any team. In this case, everyone in the world has been burned (more than once) by thinking San Jose can finally pull it off in the playoffs. It's hard to jump onto their side, knowing Groundhog Day is so very likely to happen again. In this case, what have we got to lose? I think the Sharks can finally go deeper in the playoffs and their current goalie, Niemi, did it to Vancouver last year when he was with the Hawks. At the beginning of the playoffs I predicted a San Jose/ Boston final and so far, it still looks like it could happen. Better stick to my guns.
San Jose in six.
Vancouver Canucks
vs.
San Jose Sharks
Since beating Chicago in the first round, I believe Vancouver has shaken a bit of a monkey off their backs. But now they play San Jose, who really has been living the Canucks fate for the past six years or so. A perennial first place finisher whose regular season prowess doesn't always translate into post season success. The Sharks have had a lot of practice at what the Canucks are trying to do, and the Nucks are desperately trying to ensure they don't become the same team. The Sedins have yet to show up in these playoffs, but by the way Kesler and others are stepping up, it might not matter.
I hate Vancouver, so I would likely cheer against them for any team. In this case, everyone in the world has been burned (more than once) by thinking San Jose can finally pull it off in the playoffs. It's hard to jump onto their side, knowing Groundhog Day is so very likely to happen again. In this case, what have we got to lose? I think the Sharks can finally go deeper in the playoffs and their current goalie, Niemi, did it to Vancouver last year when he was with the Hawks. At the beginning of the playoffs I predicted a San Jose/ Boston final and so far, it still looks like it could happen. Better stick to my guns.
San Jose in six.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference Championship
Holy crap!
There were a couple of surprises when it came to the last matchups in the East. First of all, although I had Boston beating Philly to move on, I certainly didn't think they'd sweep em'! I think everyone was confident in a tough, hard fought series. Not saying that was easy for Boston, but beating the Flyers in four straight games will save them some bumps and bruises from a longer series.
Even more surprising, and quite honestly the shock of the playoffs so far, was Tampa Bay beating Washington 4 games to none. Are you kidding me? Tampa proved their worth in the first round by taking out the Pens and nobody is arguing against a talented and well rounded line up. But the Capitals were the best team in the East through the regular season and had a lot to prove with past playoff exits to overcome. But man, the wheels came off and Tampa uncerimoniously bounced 'em. Ouch.
Boston Bruins
vs
Tampa Bay Lightning
Again, I picked Boston to go to the final this year, so I'm happy to see them in the Eastern final. They are definitely coming together as a team and finding a playoff identity, as it were. In last night's game, which clinched the series, Patrice Bergeron left the game with what is now known as another concussion. Bergeron has a very troubling past with head injuries and this cannot bode well. Although it's only day old news and not a lot is known, if he's got a concussion, he won't be back in these playoffs. On the other hand, Chara, Lucic, Horton and Marchand have really started to take the reins.
Tampa shocked the hell outta me (and more, I'm sure) by sweeping the Caps. Great job! I like Tampa, their players, their rookie coach...I wish them all the best. They have a good mix of expeience with Vinnie, St. Louis, Malone, Roloson.....good mix of youngs in Stamkos, Downie, Hedman, etc. I like their chances, truth be told. This is the farthest they've gone into the post season since winning the cup in '04. I would be quite happy to see them advance, as much as anybody. The only thing making my decision on this series is sticking to my original call of Boston taking it all.
Boston in six
There were a couple of surprises when it came to the last matchups in the East. First of all, although I had Boston beating Philly to move on, I certainly didn't think they'd sweep em'! I think everyone was confident in a tough, hard fought series. Not saying that was easy for Boston, but beating the Flyers in four straight games will save them some bumps and bruises from a longer series.
Even more surprising, and quite honestly the shock of the playoffs so far, was Tampa Bay beating Washington 4 games to none. Are you kidding me? Tampa proved their worth in the first round by taking out the Pens and nobody is arguing against a talented and well rounded line up. But the Capitals were the best team in the East through the regular season and had a lot to prove with past playoff exits to overcome. But man, the wheels came off and Tampa uncerimoniously bounced 'em. Ouch.
Boston Bruins
vs
Tampa Bay Lightning
Again, I picked Boston to go to the final this year, so I'm happy to see them in the Eastern final. They are definitely coming together as a team and finding a playoff identity, as it were. In last night's game, which clinched the series, Patrice Bergeron left the game with what is now known as another concussion. Bergeron has a very troubling past with head injuries and this cannot bode well. Although it's only day old news and not a lot is known, if he's got a concussion, he won't be back in these playoffs. On the other hand, Chara, Lucic, Horton and Marchand have really started to take the reins.
Tampa shocked the hell outta me (and more, I'm sure) by sweeping the Caps. Great job! I like Tampa, their players, their rookie coach...I wish them all the best. They have a good mix of expeience with Vinnie, St. Louis, Malone, Roloson.....good mix of youngs in Stamkos, Downie, Hedman, etc. I like their chances, truth be told. This is the farthest they've gone into the post season since winning the cup in '04. I would be quite happy to see them advance, as much as anybody. The only thing making my decision on this series is sticking to my original call of Boston taking it all.
Boston in six
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