1) Now that we have the results of the final match up in the West, we figured this would be a good opportunity to start our evaluation of the second round. The match ups have been set. Firstly we have to pat ourselves on the backs for
getting all 4 series in the East dead-on! Even our number of games predicted was pretty dam close on most. We hope to continue this trend into this second round.
- Buffalo- vs- Rangers-Regular season series: Sabres win 4-0. The Sabres may have won their first round against the Isles in a mere 5 games, but don't let that number fool ya. All but the first game could have gone either way. The good news though is that the Sabres come into this series still generally healthy. The Rangers got an unexpected 'bye' in their first round. The Thrashers appeared to be happy just to have made the playoffs, then played pre-season-like hockey in their first post season. We are still waiting for Waddell to be fired. The Rangers have coalesced nicely around stellar goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist, scoring from their top Jagr line and intimidation from NHL super-pest, Sean Avery. However, the Sabres unlike the Thrashers will NOT be happy to just 'be there'. They are hungry, and have 4 good skating lines that'll be tough for the Rangers to keep up with. If the Sabres play up to their potential it'll be a short series. Lundqvist may be able to steal one, but no more. Sabres in 5
- Ottawa-vs- New Jersey- Regular season series: NJ wins 3-1. The regular season series mean nothing! We feel that Ottawa is NOT the same team it was in the fall when Jersey won 2 of those games. The Sens beat an up and coming, albeit immature, Penguins team to advance. While the Devils eliminated the SE divisions chances of a 3rd strait Cup by eliminating the Lightning in 6. As we predicted the Lightning matched up well against the Devils and gave the swamp denizens fits, but in the end Marty's goaltending was the difference. We still give the goaltending/coaching edge to Jersey, but feel the overall team depth of the Senators will squeak them by NJ. It should be a VERY entertaining series, but take its toll on the eventual winner. Senators in 7
10 comments:
Ill take the Rangers and Devils then. Leadership in NY exceeds that in Buffalo! How can you pick against Broduer who is just hitting his playoff stride?
1) That outcome would make the folks in NHL headquarters very happy! The TV ratings for a NY-NJ series would far exceed a Buffalo-Ottawa series(Though hockey wise the ladder would be more exciting in our opinions
2) We'll take Drury's leadership skills to go along with a VERY deep offensively gifted Sabres roster to overcome Lundqvist's heroics
3) Yes, its difficult to pick against Brodeur. However, the Devils struggled against a TB squad that is inferior to their next opponent. It will NOT be a cake walk for either team though
Buffalo seems to be the team that everyone liked before the season even started. Have to agree with faux that the Rangers shouldn't be able to stop them.
New jersey on the other hand will beat the Senators. Marty is having a great season, and Emery, though better than in years past isn't Brodeur!
As I predicted prior to these first round series:
Devils, Sabres in 6...
By the way, Faux, Antz predicted the series winners in ALL 1st round matchups in BOTH conferences.. I will accept your congrats now... Thank you very much...
1) Congrats Antz on your 1.000 record in the first round. Lets see ya keep it up!
2) Our picks in the 1st round other than the SJ-Preds series were identical, but not so in the second round.
3) Look for our West picks tomorrow morning.
Appreciate the acknowledgement, Faux... I look forward to tomorrow's installment...
1) If we understand correctly Antz your predictions for the second round are as follows:
a) Detroit over the Sharks in 7
b) Anaheim over the Canucks in 6
c) Sabres over the Rangers in 6
d) Devils over the Senators in 7
2) If we erred, let us know. Our full west conference picks will be out tomorrow, but a quick preview for ya is that we differ with respect to Detroit and New Jersey.
I can't disagre with anything you wrote here Faux. I like those predicitions also.
In response to shuck, well I'll take Drury's leadership over Jagr's any day of the week.
It's likely that the Sabres WILL win, but I like to have one upset per round for good measure. Of course last round that came back to kill me (my Pens pick was my only one wrong) but I'm still going with the Rangers. 3 of Buffalo's 4 wins over them were OT/SO, and since then the Rangers have improved.
As deep as the Sabres are, I can't help but feel that they're not gritty enough. None of the Rangers' de are under 6-1 and they're a much more physical team. I could be wrong; I'm much more familiar with the West.
"It's a power play goal (cue the DUMB goal music at MSG)" Get used to it Sabres... The Rags will be doubling your PP chances...
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