Not to pat myself on the back or anything but I think I summed up just how useful predictions are – those made by me or anyone else for that matter – this past weekend on Twitter…
Good news is, I’m a sucker. Here are my picks for the first round of the NHL playoffs that start tonight…
EAST
#1 New York Rangers vs #8 Ottawa Senators
Pick: Rangers in 6
Why? The only real position the Sens match the Rangers is on defense where I think you can argue that the Sens have just as good and deep a defense as the Rangers do if not better, but beyond that the Rangers depth at forward and of course their much better goaltending should be able to pull this series out.
#2 Boston Bruins vs #7 Washington Capitals
Pick: Bruins in 6
Why? I initially was going with the Caps on this when the matchup was first made as both teams come into this series playing well, but the Bruins +67 goals for versus goals against differential – highest int he NHL – won me over. B’s have too many weapons for the Caps to counter.
#3 Florida Panthers vs #6 New Jersey Devils
Pick: Devils in 5
Why? Again when this series was made I felt the Panthers had a real shot at winning but the more I thought of it, the more I feel that while the Panthers can be as good defensively as the Devils, Jersey may have a little bit better of an offense.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
Pick: Penguins in 5
Why? This is the series everyone is looking forward to seeing – as am I of course – but beyond the bad blood, will it really be that close a battle? Pens have been monsters at home and the have that advantage in this series. Pens take the first two games at home and send the Flyers reeling early and unable to recover.
WEST
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs #8 Los Angeles Kings
Pick: Canucks in 5
Why? The only way this series is even close is if Jonathan Quick can put up a brick wall in front of the net because the Kings won’t be able to score against the Canucks.
#2 St. Louis Blues vs #7 San Jose Sharks
Pick: Sharks in 7
Why? The key here is San Jose needs to find a way to steal one of the first two games in St. Louis and if they do that we have an upset int he making. As long as the Sharks goaltending stays solid I like them to take what will end up being a very close series with all games decided by one goal.
#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs #6 Chicago Blackhawks
Pick: Blackhawks in 6
Why? For as decent as his team has looked in the regular season, I’m not sold that Dave Tippett is a very good playoff coach. As long as the Hawks get decent goaltending, they have much better depth at both forward and defense and should be able to wear the Coyotes out as the series goes on.
#4 Nashville Predators vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
Pick: Predators in 6
Why? I think the most balanced team in these playoffs are the Predators. They have good if not great goaltending, two monsters on defense that can eat up ice time in all situations (plus the 3 to 6 group isn’t bad themselves) and a forward group that doesn’t rely on just one line to do all the scoring. I hate picking against Detroit in these things, but the Preds are my pick to win the Cup overall.
