More Stanley Cup playoffs predictions ...
| First Round |
| Eastern Conference |
(1) Buffalo Sabres
vs.
(8) New York Islanders |
The Isles will still be on Cloud 9 just for making the playoffs. The Sabres are too fast, deep and determined for Cinderella.
SABRES IN FIVE
|
(2) New Jersey Devils
vs.
(7) Tampa Bay Lightning |
This series will be close, but Mr. Brodeur will once again stand on his head and be the difference.
DEVILS IN SIX
|
(3) Atlanta Thrashers
vs.
(6) New York Rangers |
Sorry, Thrashers fans. I just don't have much confidence in Kari Lehtonen on the big stage.
RANGERS IN SIX
|
(4) Ottawa Senators
vs.
(5) Pittsburgh Penguins |
This will be the most entertaining first-round matchup in the East, with Dany Heatley coming up huge.
SENATORS IN SEVEN
|
| Western Conference |
(1) Detroit Red Wings
vs.
(8) Calgary Flames |
I wanted to pick the Flames, I really did, but I just don't see another early Red Wings exit with Dom Hasek between the pipes.
RED WINGS IN SIX
|
(2)Anaheim Ducks
vs.
(7) Minnesota Wild |
This will be a testy battle, but it'll only be a matter of time before the Ducks get to Niklas Backstrom.
DUCKS IN SIX
|
(3) Vancouver Canucks
vs.
(6) Dallas Stars |
This matchup is all about goaltending. I know what Marty Turco's track record shows me, but I'm picking Dallas anyway. Every playoff dog has his day.
STARS IN SIX
|
(4) Nashville Predators
vs.
(5) San Jose Sharks |
This will be the best early series in the West. The Preds will have revenge on their minds, but their somewhat shaky goaltending situation scares me. SHARKS IN SIX
|
|
| Conference Semifinals |
| Eastern Conference |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
New York Rangers |
This is where Jagr and Co. meet their match. The Sabres have too much scoring depth for the Blueshirts to stop.
SABRES IN FIVE
|
New Jersey Devils
vs.
Ottawa Senators |
Brodeur will actually look somewhat pedestrian in this series against all that Ottawa firepower. That's when Patrik Elias comes to the rescue. DEVILS IN SIX
|
| Western Conference |
Detroit Red Wings
vs.
Dallas Stars |
The Wings have had the Stars' number for some time. No reason to think it changes now. And Turco can't pocket two solid rounds, can he? RED WINGS IN SEVEN
|
Anaheim Ducks
vs.
San Jose Sharks |
The Ducks were built for the playoffs -- as long as their HOF blueliners (Niedermayer and Pronger) don't get injured. And we all know that J-S Giguere can be money at playoff time.
DUCKS IN SIX
|
|
| Conference Finals |
| Eastern Conference |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
New Jersey Devils |
As long as they don't suffer any major injuries (again) along the way, the Sabres will find a way to solve the Devils' suffocating defense.
SABRES IN SIX
|
| Western Conference |
Detroit Red Wings
vs.
Anaheim Ducks |
This should be good. What could decide this series is whether the Ducks' kids (Kunitz, Penner, Getzlaf, Perry) can provide help to Teemu Selanne. I say yes. DUCKS IN SEVEN
|
|
| Stanley Cup Finals |
Buffalo Sabres
vs.
Anaheim Ducks |
I've been singing the praises of the Sabres since the beginning of the season. This is the point in the postseason where Buffalo will be thankful that Tim Connolly is back healthy, as he'll give Anaheim's backline fits -- along with Danny Briere.
SABRES IN SEVEN
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SCOTT WRAIGHT
