1) Its about 1/2 way through the Conference Quarter Finals and we figured this would be a good time to see how each series is progressing:
- Vancouver (1) -vs- Chicago (8): We predicted Canucks in 6. Right now the boys from Vancouver are reeling a bit after consecutive devastating losses that have brought the hawks back into a series that few thought would go far after the Canucks dismantled the hawks i the first 3 games. It would be a monumental collapse but after witnessing their lack of fight in games 4 and 5, we wouldn't be shocked to see this go 7
- San Jose (2) vs. Los Angeles (7): We have seen the Kings fall apart in game 3 sealing their eventual fate. Most including us didn't see this as being a long series and after last nights tidy Shark win we anticipate the Sharks dispatching the Kings and moving on to the second round
- Detroit(3) vs. Phoenix (6): No big surprise here. We have Detroit as our Cup favourite so winning quickly didn't shock us or most hockey procrastinators. The biggest unknown is whether Game 4 was the final NHL hockey to be played in the desert. from what we have been told its a mere formality that the 'Yotes will once again be the Winnipeg Jets and that Gary Bettman will make the announcement once the entire first round is completed
- Anaheim (4) vs. Nashville (5) While most predicted a long series, most also saw the the Ducks as the eventual winner. Both teams are so evenly matched that an epic 7 game series is all but assured here. we'll stick with our original prediction that the Preds will win, but it is really a coin toss and we wouldn't want to play the winner in the next round
- Capitals(1) vs. NY Rangers(8): This is possibly the one series that we may have been off the mark. we saw the Blueshirts in 6 and that won't happen now with the caps winning three of the first 4 games, 2 in OT. The 3 gaols collapse may have sealed their fate in NY and ruined our prediction of rangers in 6 in the process. However the Caps were in this position last season and blew it so don't write the Rangers off quite yet
- Philadelphia (2) vs. Buffalo (7) This series is transpiring right as we expected. Its tough, and each teams strenghts and deficiencies apparent. For the Flyers they (STILL!) have goaltending issues with 'Bob' chased from the starters role in favour of journeymen Boucher. However in the end the Flyers superior scoring depth should be sufficient to win 2 of the next 3 games, but Mr's Holmgren/Laviolette have to be concerned about their backstop(s)
- Canadiens (6) vs. Bruins(3): Both teams have won 2 in their opposing teams' building. At times it looked like the Bruins were going to fold their tent and loss a quick series to the habs, but a gutty showing in hostile Montreal have buoyed our belief that our original prediction of Bruins in 7 will be accurate.
- Penguins (4) vs Lightning (5): Even we are surprised how the offensively depleted Pens are relatively easily dispatching the Lightning. Yes we thought they'd win in the end, but not in a quick fashion that it now appears they are poised to accomplish. Kuddos to our Jack Adams pick, Dan Blysma and his team to overcome the obstacle of losing not 1, but 2 super stars and winning. If one or both were healthy they'd be our Cup favourite
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