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Predictions for the 2001 Playoffsback to: hockey | playoff grid
We easily got the conference finals right, so now I'm 10-4. For the finals, I expect the defending champion Devils to get the job done against the Forsberg - less Avs.
Devils in 6.
After 2 rounds I'm 8-4. On to the conference finals:
East
Devils (1) vs. Penguins (6): I am a big fan of Mario and Jags, but this is probably where the run comes to an end. I'm hoping for an upset, but I'm picking . . .
Devils in 6. In five!West
Avalanche (1) vs. Blues (4): The Lanche are without Forsberg the rest of the way, but they have too much talent not to get by this upstart St. Louis club.
Avalanche in 6. In five!
Just like last year, I went only 5-3 in the always tough first round. Now we get serious in our round 2 picks:
East
Devils (1) vs. Maple Leafs (7): New Jersey had to fight a little in the first round after going up 3-0. Now they're at full throttle.
Devils in 4. Much tougher than expected, but the Devils advance.Sabres (5) vs. Penguins (6): This should be a great series, with big scorers Mario and Jags up against the Dominator, the world's premier goaltender. Mario isn't ready to hit the links for the summer just yet.
Penguins in 6. Okay, in 7.West
Avalanche (1) vs. Kings (7): Los Angeles took great advantage of an injury plagued Detroit team in the first round. They'll have no such luck here.
Avalanche in 5. Like the Devils, the Avs had a lot of trouble but advance.Stars (3) vs. Blues (4): This should be a tough matchup, because the Stars had a lot more trouble than I expected in the first round, but the Blues haven't been this far lately. But experience will prevail.
Stars in 7. Ouch!!!
Here is my analysis of round 1:
East
Devils (1) vs. Hurricanes (8): Not much of a contest here.
Devils in 5. Okay, in 6.Senators (2) vs. Maple Leafs (7): The Leafs have fallen off the map, but I'm not sure why. Still, Senators look tough.
Senators in 6. Not exactly. Quite the collapse.Capitals (3) vs. Penguins (6): Caps have the better goalie, but the Penguins have Super Mario and Jags, and they're not going out in the first round.
Penguins in 6. Exactly right!Flyers (4) vs. Sabres (5): Is this the year Buffalo finally gets over the hump and beats the Flyers? Not likely.
Flyers in 6. Wrong, but it couldn't be better! Clarkie must go.West
Avalanche (1) vs. Canucks (8): Nothing to think about here.
Lanche in 4. Exactly!Red Wings (2) vs. Kings (7): Los Angeles had a nice season, but this is where it ends. Detroit looking to make one final run with Scotty Bowman.
Red Wings in 5. Ouch!Stars (3) vs. Oilers (6): Dallas has been to the finals the past two years. They're getting older, but should have no trouble against another weak Canadian team.
Stars in 5. Tougher than expected in 6.Blues (4) vs. Sharks (5): Last year, the Blues had the best record in the league and got bounced out in the first round. But they've retooled and added the veteran Tkachuk.
Blues in 7. Easier this year in only 6.
