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Predictions for the 2007 Playoffs

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I have to admit, I didn't watch one minute of the Finals. I just couldn't get into it. And to top it off, I finally picked against the Ducks and with the Senators — and I was dead wrong. Figures. I still ended up a semi-respectable 9-6.

Another round, another split decision. I'm now at 9-5. One more game to go:

The Finals
Ducks (W2) vs. Senators (E4): For the hockey purist, this should be a flat out exciting finals. Both teams are red hot and peaking in the playoffs. Unfortunately, there aren't many hockey purists around. A Detroit/Buffalo series would have had a lot more juice. While I've correctly picked the Ducks in all 3 series, I've picked against the Sens 3 times. They've surprised me time and time again. Not this time!
Senators in 6. Now they lose!

Well, I split in Round 2, which is closer to my usual form, and now stand at 8-4. The conference finals are a very thin broth indeed. Hard to get excited here.

East
Sabres (1) vs. Senators (4): Both teams can score, and both have an all-around game. I like the Sabres a little bit more, with home ice in game 7 being the difference.
Sabres in 7. Not exactly.

West
Red Wings (1) vs. Ducks (2): Since I was surprised Detroit got past the Sharks, I'll be really surprised if they hold up to the Ducks' attack here.
Ducks in 6. Hockeytown? See ya!

Finally a great start for me in my annual NHL "lottery", going 6-2 in Round 1. Bring on Round 2.

East
Sabres (1) vs. Rangers (6): The Sabres are the class of the east. While the Rangers had a cakewalk in round 1, they're about to get their comeuppance here.
Sabres in 7. In six!

Devils (2) vs. Senators (4): I didn't like the way New Jersey played in the first few games of round 1, but I think they have what it takes to get past Ottawa, who wasn't really tested in round 1. But it'll be a long series.
Devils in 7. Can't Score = Can't Win.

West
Red Wings (1) vs. Sharks (5): The Red Wings looked shaky in their first round series, and they're a bit banged up here. Plus, the Sharks smell blood!
Sharks in 6. A mild surprise.

Ducks (2) vs. Canucks (3): The Ducks look like they're on a mission, and Vancouver just came off a grueling 7 game series.
Ducks in 5. Exactly!

Here comes the NHL playoffs! I have got to do better than last year — it would be hard to do worse! But it's a roll the dice kind of league: Both finalists from last year aren't even in the playoffs this year. Oh well, let's get skating boys!

Here is my analysis of Round 1:

East
Sabres (1) vs. Islanders (8): The Islanders got into the playoffs by the thinnest of margins. But without goalie Rick DiPietro in net, I don't give them much chance against the #1 seed in the East. Buffalo is primed for a good run.
Sabres in 5. Exactly!

Devils (2) vs. Lightning (7): A very strange coaching change at the end of the season is almost business as usual in the Meadowlands. One thing I know for sure, this Devils team is hungry from last year's early exit. And of course, they have Marty Brodeur in the net.
Devils in 5. Tougher than expected, but we advance.

Thrashers (3) vs. Rangers (6): The Rangers were an up and down team all year, but they seem to be entering the playoffs on an uptick. And I've always been a big Jaromir Jagr fan. I like the Blue Shirts a lot here.
Rangers in 6. Wow, a sweep!

Senators (4) vs. Penguins (5): Ottawa is a team that used to rule the regular season and then quickly flame out in the playoffs. And now they're running into the resurgent Penguins, who are led by hockey's next great hope: Sidney Crosby. He's come along just in the nick of time to save — literally — the Pittsburgh franchise.
Penguins in 6. No good.

West
Red Wings (1) vs. Flames (8): Question: How many years in a row can Detroit be embarrassed in the first round by an upstart Canadian team? Answer: I don't know, but it can't go on forever. I say the Wings finally advance.
Red Wings in 5. Another struggle for Detroit.

Ducks (2) vs. Wild (7): I'm glad to see the Wild back in the playoffs, because I've always liked coach Jacques Lemaire. But I don't give them much chance against the Ducks' "mighty" duo of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.
Ducks in 6. Okay!

Canucks (3) vs. Stars (6): There's not much to recommend in this series. Where are the glory days of Dallas vs. the Avalanche? Oh well. I'll take the chalk here.
Canucks in 7. Exactly!

Predators (4) vs. Sharks (5): Man, how the NHL has changed. Nashville, perhaps more than any other team in the league, is built for the new, quicker, NHL. And they have Peter Forsberg. I like them a lot here
Predators in 7. Ouch.

— The Commissioner

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