More Stanley Cup playoffs predictions ...
| First Round |
| Eastern Conference |
(1) Buffalo Sabres
vs.
(8) New York Islanders |
The Sabres will continue to play with the focus and resolve they've demonstrated all season long. Plus, they're healthier now than at any point this season with Tim Connolly back after being lost due to concussion complications for nearly an entire year. SABRES IN FIVE
|
(2) New Jersey Devils
vs.
(7) Tampa Bay Lightning |
The Devils have the most consistent goaltender in the game, Martin Brodeur, who will hold form against a Lightning team that battled wildly inconsistent goaltending all season long. DEVILS IN SIX
|
(3) Atlanta Thrashers
vs.
(6) New York Rangers |
The Thrashers' revamped penalty killing will continue to perform effectively and Marian Hossa will have the big-time series that the folks in Ottawa profess he never delivered. THRASHERS IN SIX
|
(4) Ottawa Senators
vs.
(5) Pittsburgh Penguins |
The Penguins have played tighter defensive hockey the past two months than many people realize and will continue to play efficiently against the Sens. PENGUINS IN SEVEN
|
| Western Conference |
(1) Detroit Red Wings
vs.
(8) Calgary Flames |
The Flames will stay out of the penalty box and sneak a win out of Joe Louis Arena before taking control of the series physically.
FLAMES IN SIX
|
(2)Anaheim Ducks
vs.
(7) Minnesota Wild |
The Ducks are a bigger, tougher version of the Wild with better goaltending. DUCKS IN FIVE
|
(3) Vancouver Canucks
vs.
(6) Dallas Stars |
Marty Turco finally comes through in the postseason and outduels Roberto Luongo. STARS IN FIVE
|
(4) Nashville Predators
vs.
(5) San Jose Sharks |
The Sharks defensemen will handle the Predators' forecheck, while the Sharks are able to generate chances down low against the Preds' D. SHARKS IN SIX
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| Conference Semifinals |
| Eastern Conference |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
Pittsburgh Penguins |
The Sabres are the one team in the East that can match the Pens' pace in the open ice and will end up victimizing them by cashing in on forced neutral-zone turnovers. SABRES IN SIX
|
New Jersey Devils
vs.
Atlanta Thrashers |
The Thrashers' playmakers have found ways to make a difference head-to-head over the past two seasons against the Devils, making them the one team Martin Brodeur has looked consistently ordinary against recently. THRASHERS IN SIX
|
| Western Conference |
Anaheim Ducks
vs.
Calgary Flames |
The Ducks' formidable defense will neutralize Flames captain Jarome Iginla, while the kids upfront for the Ducks -- Ryan Getzlaf, Cory Perry and Dustin Penner -- prove too much for the Flames' defense to handle. DUCKS IN SIX
|
San Jose Sharks
vs.
Dallas Stars |
The Sharks will ride a dominant performance by Joe Thornton while the Sharks' defense outproduces the prolific Dallas blueliners. SHARKS IN SIX
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| Conference Finals |
| Eastern Conference |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
Atlanta Thrashers |
The Sabres' depth of scoring will prove too much for the Thrashers to contend with. SABRES IN FIVE
|
| Western Conference |
Anaheim Ducks
vs.
San Jose Sharks |
Expect Chris Pronger to contain Thornton and Scott Niedermayer to limit Sharks captain Patrick Marleau's effectiveness. Teemu Selanne is the Ducks' offensive star in sending his team to the final. DUCKS IN SEVEN
|
|
| Stanley Cup Finals |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
Anaheim Ducks |
Buffalo's depth down the middle proves to be the tipping point in winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Ironically, Cap Era considerations will immediately test that strength during the off-season with both Chris Drury and Daniel Briere becoming free agents. SABRES IN SEVEN
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DARREN ELIOT
