The playoffs have started, and while I don’t pay that much attention to the season due to the Leafs’ mediocracy, I still like to play armchair analyst and guess the playoff results. I was 12-3 last year and 8-6 in 2006. This round, the matchups in the East are pretty easy. Montreal is on a roll and will get past Boston. I bet they’re hoping that history repeats a third time and they can ride a rookie goaltender to the cup. I’ve liked Washington’s chances ever since their trade deadline pickups, and they’ll win their series against the Flyers. The Devils will get past the Rangers because Brodeur will show up and the Rangers’ offense won’t, so this will be a goaltending duel between him and Lundqvist. Pittsburgh will also make it into round 2, they’re young but they’re building on their experience from last year. Plus they’re playing the self-destructing Senators.

In the West, Detroit will beat Nashville. I don’t even understand how Nashville made it into playoffs, since I was confident they were going to bomb this season. The Ducks and Stars will be an interesting series. Richards being traded to the Stars was supposed to propel them to the elite levels of the league, but it has in actuality done the opposite. However, he’s a playoff performer so I think the Stars will pull this one off. I like the Avalanche’s chances even though the Wild had a better record. The Sharks and Flames series is going to be a great one. Every year I pick the Sharks as my dark horse, and every year they’ve let me down. Hopefully this year they won’t. I think they’ll get past Calgary, even though the Flames are pretty solid.

Posted by Kevin in Blogs Tags: hockey