The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has the ‘Sweet 16’ as the 2nd round of their tournament, but the sixteen teams that qualify for the NHL’s playoffs are all thinking about earning 16 wins which will give them the honor of hoisting the Stanley Cup over their heads. The real madness for NHL fans begins in April rather than March and the first round of this post-season already provides a number of intriguing storylines. Can Washington finally make their mark in the post-season? How far can Pittsburgh go without Sidney Crosby? Will Philadelphia power its way to its first Stanley Cup since 1974? Can Vancouver keep the momentum rolling from being the league’s best team through the regular season and bring a Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993? Will San Jose finally show that dominance in the regular season means a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals? Does Chicago still have what it takes to be defend its championship? Not to poke too much fun at the old NHL ad campaign, but “is this the year” for these teams? Or does someone else make their mark in these playoffs. Last year, how many would’ve guessed a team that qualified for the playoffs after a shootout in its last game of the season would end up just two short of 16 wins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? No offense to Flyers fans, but I doubt many did; I know I certainly did not.
For other teams its about avenging its demons from playoffs past. Will the Predators finally advance beyond the first round? Can Boston put the memory of losing their series to the Flyers after being up 3-0 in their series last year behind them or will those ghosts come back to haunt them? These questions will all be answered soon enough. That is what makes the playoffs fun, even for fans like myself whose favorite team is probably out golfing somewhere right now. Here is a complete rundown of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs including my prediction as to who will win their respective series. Also included is a complete schedule, all times are for Central Standard Time. Please share what you think, whether you agree, disagree etc. GAME ON!
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Eastern Conference:
#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 New York Rangers ~ I have a feeling this could be a closer series than it may seem by its rankings. The New York Rangers have been rather eratic but with Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes, they will have a shot in most games. Marian Gaborik is a star calibre player, but is notoriously streaky and even with the other weapons the Rangers have available it is hard to imagine this team having enough offensive punch to win the series but New York does have some reasonable secondary weapons in Brandon Dubinsky, Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov, and Brian Boyle. Ryan Callahan‘s two-way ability will be sorely missed, and that means the Rangers blueline led by the still fairly young Marc Staal will be tasked with shutting down the Capitals array of high octane forwards led by superstar Alexander Ovechkin fellow Russian sniper Alexander Semin and clutch set up man Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals have some potent secondary weapons of their own in veterans Jason Arnott, Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich. With Mike Green still out with a concussion, John Carlson will provide the offense from the blueline. However the ability of the Caps to defend the Rangers will probably hinge on the attention to detail their forwards show in backchecking. Between the pipes, its no contest. Lundqvist has the pedigree and the experience edge on either Sergei Varlamov or Michal Neuwirth. OUR PICK: The Rangers went 3-1 against the Capitals this season and I think there is something to be said for younger teams having a mental block going into the post-season. Expectations are high for the Capitals and while they’ve embraced a more defensive style I think they could receive a heckuva scare in a 7 game series. I think Washington will prevail though.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th @ Washington – at 6:30PM ~ Versus, TSN
Game 2: Friday, April 15th @ Washington – at 6:30PM ~ Versus, TSN
Game 3: Sunday, April 17th @ New York – at 2:00PM ~ NBC, TSN
Game 4: Wednesday, April 20th @ New York – at 6:00PM ~ Versus, TSN
*Game 5: Saturday, April 23rd @ Washington – at 2:00PM ~ NBC, TSN
*Game 6: Monday, April 25th @ New York – TBD ~ TSN
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 27th @ Washington – TBD ~ TSN
#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 Buffalo Sabres ~ In some ways this is a tale of two opposite teams. The Flyers are a team built on strong, rough and tumble hockey that can tear opponents apart with a mix of skill and grit in the scoring areas of the ice. The Sabres are your ultimate finesse team that has embraced a host of diminutive but very shifty and fast forwards like Tyler Ennis, Jason Pominville, Nathan Gerbe to go along with offensive workhorse Thomas Vanek. Drew Stafford has found his touch this year and he must keep that scoring touch going for the playoffs if Buffalo is to have a chance. Losing St. Louis Park-native Jordan Leopold to a broken hand hurts so that will mean more responsibility will be heaped on the shoulders of 6’7″ Tyler Myers and fellow defenseman Andrej Sekera. The Flyers have a dynamic attack led by Claude Giroux who had a breakout season, along with veteran Daniel Briere who seems to play at his best in games where the stakes are their highest. Jeff Carter, James VanRiemsdyk, Mike Richards, and last year’s clutch playoff performer Ville Leino will give the Sabres a lot to handle. Buffalo has the obvious edge between the pipes, but how many scoring chances will the Sabres be able to create against Philadelphia’s stout defense in order to test the inexperienced Sergei Bobrovsky. OUR PICK: I think the Flyers win this series in 5 games. Too physical, and if Chris Pronger returns you can stick a fork in the Sabres because they’ll be toast.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, April 14th @ Philadelphia – at 6:30PM ~ Versus, TSN
Game 2: Saturday, April 16th @ Philadelphia – at 4:00PM ~ TSN
Game 3: Monday, April 18th @ Buffalo – at 6:00PM ~ Versus, TSN
Game 4: Wednesday, April 20th @ Buffalo – at 6:30PM ~ Versus, TSN
*Game 5: Friday, April 22nd @ Philadelphia – at 6:30PM ~ Versus, TSN
*Game 6: Sunday, April 24th @ Buffalo – at 2:00PM ~ NBC, TSN
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 26th @ Philadelphia – TBD ~ TSN
#3 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Montreal Canadiens ~ Can it get any more classic than this? Bruins and Canadiens in the quarterfinals for what seems like the umpteenth time. Boston is pushing all in for this year’s playoffs; trading its 1st round pick and a former 1st round pick to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle who has been blah at best. The Bruins combine stingy defense and nice mix of grit, speed and skill that makes them very difficult to match up against. Led by the rough and tough Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton and the speed and skill of David Krecji, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand Boston feels they have the right mix to go far. Defensively, you can imagine the just how hostile the reception will be awaiting Zdeno Chara when he first skates out onto the ice at the Bell Centre on April 18th as Montreal fans are still seething over the hit to Max Pacioretty. The Bruins blueline will have to be on guard against a very small and speedy core of Montreal forwards. Tomas Plekanec, Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Sergei Kostitsyn do not need a lot of time or space to bury a shot past any goaltender. P.K. Subban has taken over role as the premier offensive force on the blueline since the injuries that derailed the career of Andrei Markov. Between the pipes; it will be an interesting battle between Tim Thomas who has been lights out this season, and Carey Price whose great play has made Habs fans forget about dealing away Jaroslav Halak. OUR PICK: I think Boston has too much firepower for Montreal to overcome and I think the Bruins grit and physicality will also play a factor to the outcome of this series. The Bruins in 5 games.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, April 14th @ Boston – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, RDS, Versus
Game 2: Saturday, April 16th @ Boston – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, RDS, Versus
Game 3: Monday, April 18th @ Montreal – at 6:30PM ~ CBC, RDS
Game 4: Thursday, April 21st @ Montreal – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, RDS, Versus
*Game 5: Saturday, April 23rd @ Boston – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, RDS, Versus
*Game 6: Tuesday, April 25th @ Montreal – TBD ~ CBC, RDS
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 26th @ Boston – TBD ~ CBC, RDS
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning ~ It is a testament to a change of style, that has allowed the Pittsburgh Penguins to still be the #4 seed in the East despite losing superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. For most teams, losing one superstar is enough to derail a season, especially when Crosby is still the team’s leading scorer even though he played just 41 games! With that aforementioned star talent on the shelf, it has meant the team has embraced a scoring by committee approach led by James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Tyler Kennedy and former Wild role player Pascal Dupuis. Defensively the Penguins have some good experience in Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, former Wild prospect Zbynek Michalek and offensive dynamo Kris Letang. The Lightning have two of the most prolific scorers in 2010-11 season in Martin St. Louis and super sniper in linemate Steven Stamkos. The glow has faded a bit from team captain Vincent Lecavalier as well as Ryan Malone but the post-season may bring out the best in them. Defensively the Lightning will lean heavily on grizzled vet Mattias Ohlund as well as youngster Victor Hedman. Goaltending could very well be the x-factor, as the Lightning turn to another cagey veteran Dwayne Roloson to find the magic he showed in 2005 that nearly delivered the Oilers a Stanley Cup. Marc-Andre Fleury has been there so he will be primed to deliver as he’s done all season. OUR PICK: I like the new way the Penguins have played to adapt to the losses in their roster, but I think Tampa Bay’s firepower will prove to be too much to overcome. I think Tampa Bay wins in six games.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th @ Pittsburgh – at 6:00PM ~ CBC
Game 2: Friday, April 15th @ Pittsburgh – at 6:00PM ~ CBC
Game 3: Monday, April 18th @ Tampa Bay – at 6:30PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 4: Wednesday, April 20th @ Tampa Bay – at 6:30PM ~ CBC
*Game 5: Saturday, April 23rd @ Pittsburgh – TBD ~ CBC, Versus
*Game 6: Monday, April 25th @ Tampa Bay – TBD ~ CBC
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 27th @ Pittsburgh – TBD ~ CBC
Western Conference:
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks ~ Everyone loves a vicious rematch and that is certainly what will happen in this series. However, this time the Blackhawks will be without Roberto Luongo‘s kryptonite, in big Dustin Byfuglien blocking his view. The Canucks were tabbed my many before the start of the season as the favorite and all they did was dominate and earned the President’s Trophy. The Canucks have a that sought after mix of a high-powered offense and a stingy defense. Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin can drive you crazy with their nearly unconscious-level of chemistry as they cycle the puck endlessly in the offensive zone. Daniel and his sniping ability have led the way but the Canucks have plenty of other weapons in two-way force Ryan Kesler, feisty goal scorer Alexandre Burrows and speedster Mason Raymond. The Canucks have one of the best bluelines in the NHL, led by Kevin Bieksa and offensive threats in Christian Ehrhoff and Alexander Edler. The Blackhawks managed to sneak into the playoffs thanks to gift of a victory by the Wild over the Dallas Stars. Chicago’s offense is led by an impressive top 4 of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks blueline has experience and Duncan Keith and Keith Seabrook are as good as any pairing the league. Between the pipes is where you see the most notable difference as red hot Roberto Luongo is matched against unproven goaltender Corey Crawford. Yet that formula worked out pretty well for the Blackhawks last season. OUR PICK: I think the Blackhawks curse for the Vancouver Canucks is going to break this year. I think Chicago will put up a good fight, but they’ll be done in six games.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th @ Vancouver – at 9:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 2: Friday, April 15th @ Vancouver – at 9:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 3: Sunday, April 17th @ Chicago – at 7:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 4: Tuesday, April 19th @ Chicago – at 7:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
*Game 5: Thursday, April 21st @ Vancouver – at 9:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
*Game 6: Sunday, April 24th @ Chicago – at 7:00PM ~ CBC
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 26th @ Vancouver – TBD ~ CBC
#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #7 Los Angeles Kings ~ They say familiarity breeds contempt and no doubt this series will enhance the blood feud that has gone on for the 3 California-based teams now that they’re all in the playoffs and how could it get any better than a quarterfinal match up. San Jose has been near the top of the West season after season but it has been its post-season woes that has steadily eroded the confidence of experts around the league. Yet, it does ignore the fact the Sharks have tremendous scoring depth with 7 players with at least 20 goals to their credit this season led by Patrick Marleau and talented rookie Logan Couture. The Sharks’ blueline has a good mix of mobility in Dan Boyle and grit in Douglas Murray. For Los Angeles this could be the first of many post-season romps to come with such a young and talented team that looks set for years. Leading scorer Anze Kopitar is out with an ankle injury so the team will look to vets Justin Williams and Ryan Smyth for offense but the team will likely go only as far as heart & soul captain Dustin Brown takes it. The Kings have plenty of grit which it will need to battle against the Sharks and it could very well be the contributions of role players like Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford and Brad Richardson that end up being the heroes for Los Angeles. Defensively, the Kings are loaded full of young, dynamic talent led by the skill of Drew Doughty and the lesser heralded play of Jack Johnson. Between the pipes, the Sharks are leaning on Antti Niemi who has found his game again down the stretch to give Sharks a good chance to go a long way this year, while Jonathan Quick will be asked to carry the mail for Los Angeles. OUR PICK: I am going to again take San Jose whose scoring balance makes them a nightmare to match up defensively against. San Jose will win in six hard fought games.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, April 14th @ San Jose – at 9:00PM ~ TSN, Versus
Game 2: Saturday, April 16th @ San Jose – at 9:00PM ~ TSN, Versus
Game 3: Tuesday, April 19th @ Los Angeles – at 9:30PM ~ TSN, Versus
Game 4: Thursday, April 21st @ Los Angeles – at 9:30PM ~ TSN
*Game 5: Saturday, April 23rd @ San Jose – at 9:30PM ~ TSN, Versus
*Game 6: Monday, April 25th @ Los Angeles – TBD ~ TSN
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 27th @ San Jose – TBD ~ TSN
#3 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Phoenix Coyotes ~ Last season, Phoenix surprised many people by making it to the playoffs. Well, they’re baack, and with the same formula of outstanding goaltending and a blue collar work ethic that makes up for their lack of star power. The Coyotes will not scare just about anyone offensively, but they too practice a scoring by committee approach led by captain Shane Doan and fellow veteran Ray Whitney who still looks to have plenty of gas in the tank. Radim Vrbata, Martin Hanzal, Lauri Korpikoski and Lee Stempniak all provide a similar level of secondary scoring at least a few of these guys must raise their game if Phoenix is to pull off the upset. Defensively, the Coyotes are led by All Star Keith Yandle who provides solid play at both ends of the ice. Adrian Aucoin, Ed Jovanovski and Michal Rozsival make up an experienced core of blueliners who will be tested by the incredible execution of the Red Wings. No team in the NHL runs as smoothly as Detroit; the way it controls the puck it very rarely seems frazzled or rushed. They are simply a winning machine. The uber creative Pavel Datsyuk, the clutch play of Henrik Zetterberg along with the grit near the crease of Tomas Holmstrom and ‘the mule’ Johan Franzen are a formula that is hard to beat. Toss in secondary scorers like Todd Bertuzzi, Valterri Filppula, and Dan Cleary and Detroit has 3 fairly effective scoring lines. Defensively, the Red Wings still have the best defenseman in the NHL in 40-year old Niklas Lidstrom who still is showing Norris Trophy-like form whose joined by the underrated Brian Rafalski and the grit and physicality of Jonathan Ericsson, Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall. Between the pipes its again a battle between the proven and unproven. Ilya Bryzgalov is perhaps a top 4 goaltender in the league and the other is Jimmy Howard who is playing pretty well. OUR PICK: I love Cinderella picks, but I just don’t think they’ll get by Detroit. Unfortunately for a team that has paid its dues as bitterly as they have, I think Detroit wins this series in 5 games.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th @ Detroit – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 2: Saturday, April 16th @ Detroit – at Noon ~ NBC, CBC
Game 3: Monday, April 18th @ Phoenix – at 9:30PM ~ CBC, Versus
Game 4: Wednesday, April 20th @ Phoenix – at 9:30PM ~ CBC, Versus
*Game 5: Friday, April 22nd @ Detroit – at 6:00PM ~ CBC, Versus
*Game 6: Sunday, April 24th @ Phoenix – TBD ~ CBC
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 27th @ Detroit – TBD ~ CBC
#4 Anaheim Ducks vs. #5 Nashville Predators ~ For Ducks’ goaltender Dan Ellis, he might be the most motivated player in this series. The former Nashville Predators farmhand, turned starter was supplanted by current Predators #1 goalie Pekka Rinne and Ellis has since bounced around the league a little before landing in Anaheim’s pond. Ellis has performed very well for the Ducks and he’ll have to be even better if Anaheim is going to make it past the 1st round. Expect Ellis’ leash to be very short with Jonas Hiller or even Ray Emery possibly available if he can get over his vertigo symptoms but for now its Ellis’ job to lose. Anaheim will lean heavily on Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf and the ageless Teemu Selanne who’s proving there is still plenty of life in the ‘Finnish Flash’ even at the age of 40. Defense can score as well for the Ducks as Lubomir Visnovsky is one of the top offensive blueliners in the league and rookie Cam Fowler has quietly had a tremendous rookie season. Meanwhile, the Predators personify unselfishness and a pure team concept. Scoring by committee is nothing really that unusual amongst the 16 teams in the post-season, but probably no team has list of unsung scorers as do the Predators. Sergei Kostitsyn, Patric Hornqvist lead a group of forwards that mostly have their totals in the teens rather than the twenties. Their forwards all possess speed and grit and will rarely be outworked. On the blueline is where Nashville’s drafting has paid its biggest dividends, led by stud Shea Weber and his partner Ryan Suter lead a self-built core of blueliners. OUR PICK: Nashville hasn’t won a series in its history and I think we could see them advance to the Conference semi-finals, after vanquishing the Ducks in a hard fought 6-game series.
Series schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th @ Anaheim – at 9:30PM ~ TSN
Game 2: Friday, April 15th @ Anaheim – at 9:30PM ~ TSN
Game 3: Sunday, April 17th @ Nashville – TBD ~ TSN
Game 4: Wednesday, April 20th @ Nashville – TBD ~ TSN
*Game 5: Friday, April 22nd @ Anaheim – at 9:00PM ~ TSN
*Game 6: Sunday, April 24th @ Nashville – TBD ~ TSN
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 26th @ Anaheim – TBD ~ TSN
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