That seemed to be a rather quick first round of playoff hockey. Overall, there were two series that I was more than happy to be wrong about in predictions and there was another that I wasn’t too thrilled in seeing happen but was an entertaining series throughout.
#1 Detroit Red Wings Vs #8 Edmonton Oilers
This was one of those series where seeing my prediction go up in smoke was more than welcome. I was able to watch a couple of games in some posh Hollywood bar with several Red Wings fans around and every time a game started they were just waiting for the Red Wings to turn it on and blow out the Oilers….it obviously never happened. The Oilers were able to counter the Wings momentum with timely goals and sticking to their defensive game. It’s good to see the Oilers get out of the first round and for the Wings, it’s once again an all or nothing playoff run.
#2 Dallas Stars Vs #7 Colorado Avalanche
This is the second series where I was rooting for the team that I didn’t predict to win. I recieved an e-mail from a reader who was apt to point out the following after reading my playoff preview column, the key stuff is in bold:
“Would you just admit you haven’t seen Dallas all year long, please? Your knowledge of them is pitiful. You say “They had a bad start but then they started tearing up the league…” (paraphrase, I know)
Well .. here’s a bit of news for you.
Dallas’ record for …
First 20 Games: 13-6-1
Second 20: 13-6-1
Third 20: 13-6-1
Fourth 20: 14-4-2
Hmm.
Yeah, they really went on a *roll* there. Winning one more game out of 20 and keeping the other team from scoring until OT in one more game is not a roll.
They’ve been consistent all year long. It’s a shame you haven’t noticed.
Please learn about teams outside of your Original Six and Northeast bias before you write articles.“
I’ll admit to seeing the Dallas Stars play 8 full games this past season (at least), 2 of those in person. During those 8 games I saw them go 2-6 against the Kings and one of those wins was an opening night gift from Los Angeles after squandering a 4-0 lead. They were consistently bad, especially Turco.
Which leads to their rather consistent record (Go Stars!) and I should have said that it was Marty Turco who got off to a bad start and not the Stars as a whole and come playoff time, what was one of the reasons the Stars got eliminated? Goaltending. Also, the sudden but not surprising disappearance of Jason Arnott.
Turco allowed 5 goals twice and 4 goals once. Watching every game during the series all the announcers could talk about at the end of the game was Turco’s shaky goaltending.
Dallas’ record in the postseason:
First 5 games: 1-4
Next 5 games: Oh wait.
I’ll try to work on my Northeast bias as well….living in Los Angeles all your life can clog your mind!! It’s the smog.
Bruins win the Cup next year, y0.
#3 Calgary Flames Vs #6 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
The Flames had them. Kiprusoff was playing well, Iginla hadn’t even really gotten started and the Flames were still up 3-2 in the series before the Ducks came back with Game 6 and 7 wins. Game 7 ended up being a 3-0 shutout in Calgary. This was a fun series with a lot of grit to it…it’s just that bad guys won! Teemu rules.
#4 San Jose Sharks Vs #5 Nasvhille Predators
The Sharks opened up with a lull in Game One then ended up winning four straight. The Preds looked out of their element and again, not having Voukon didn’t help. The Sharks looked really good….Stanley Cup good.
#1 Ottawa Senators Vs #8 Tampa Bay Lightning
The Senators wiping out the Lightning was clearly written on the wall. Once again, the Lightning team that won the Stanley Cup two years ago is playing in Buffalo this season. Hopefully the Bolts can settle their goaltending situation before they lose some of their scoring forwards.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes Vs #7 Montreal Canadiens
The Hurricanes woke up in time to fight through an early series defecit and win four in a row. Didn’t see much of this series but at the end of the day, I’m happy to see the Habs in the playoffs. Damn….the smog.
#3 New Jersey Devils Vs #6 New York Rangers
Not a surprise when you consider that the Devils had won 11 games in a row coming in and the Rangers had lost 5 in a row. The Rangers went out with a whimper and Jagr skating off the ice during the first game was more than symbolic of what was to come for NYR.
#4 Buffalo Sabres Vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
This was a great series and now the Sabres move on to Ottawa and the Senators. Which will be nonstop action. Two fast skating teams who can score and two teams with hot golatenders to back them up. The Flyers looked tired and well, old. Who’s up for a new GM in Philly?!
Semi-Final predictions:
Sharks in 6
Avalanche in 7
Senators in 7
Carolina in 7
