2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Despite my Maple Leafs not being a part of the playoffs, I'm pretty excited to see how things will shake out this year. Here's my predictions and analysis on the 1st round:

East
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins in 4
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - Caps in 5
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes - Canes in 7
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers - Pens in 6

West
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks - Sharks in 7
Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - Red Wings in 7
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues - Canucks in 6
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames - Hawks in 5

The Bruins are going to destroy the Habs. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.

The only thing that worries me about the Caps is their goaltending. Their offense is so amazing, I just can't not pick them to win at least one round.

The only 1st round upset I picked was the Hurricanes. They have just been outstanding and I think they have the experience and momentum to make a deep run despite Brodeur's Devils. I really wish the Devils and Rangers had been matched up in the first round. That would have been a great series to watch.

The Pens are just on a tear and the Flyers don't have the goaltending needed to win in the playoffs. Who knows, though, maybe the Biron of last year's playoffs will suddenly show up again and prove me wrong.

I think the Sharks finally (after several years of choking in the playoffs) have the drive and experience needed to win the Cup. I could be wrong on this, but I think Anaheim may be going with Hiller in goal, and I don't think he'll be able to carry them past the Sharks, despite the Cup-winning team of '07 being mostly intact still.

I would have picked the Red Wings to bow out in the 1st round if they had been matched up against a more seasoned playoff team. I don't think they'll make it past round 2, depending on who they play (ok, so maybe I'm biased against the Red Wings, but just wait until May and I'll get to say 'I told you so').

I may have picked the Blues to upset if they had not been matched up against Luongo (and I guess the rest of his team). Since the halfway point of the season, the Blues have had the best win percentage in the league! That's the kind of momentum you want to take into the playoffs. I just think the Canucks are the better team, and have a Sundin-fueled desire to win it all.

The Hawks may still be young, but they will stomp the faltering Flames quickly. I think by the time the playoffs are over, the trade for Pahlsson at the deadline will look like the smartest trade of the past season. However, the signing of Huet will still look like an unnecessary move as Khabibulin will carry the Hawks farther than they should go.

Do you agree or disagree? What are your predictions?

This is what I see in the first round:

East
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins in 5
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - Caps in 6
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes - Devils in 6
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers - Pens in 7

West
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks - Sharks in 6
Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - Red Wings in 5
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues - Canucks in 6
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames - Flames in 6

Here are mine...

EAST

1.BOS
8.MTL
BOSTON

2.WAS
7.NYR
WASHINGTON

3.NJD
6.CAR
CAROLINA

4.PIT
5.PHI
PHILADELPHIA

1.BOS
6.CAR
BOSTON

2.WAS
5.PHI
PHILADELPHIA

1.BOS
5.PHI
BOSTON


WEST

1.SJS
8.ANA
SAN JOSE

2.DET
7.COL
DETROIT

3.VAN
6.STL
VANCOUVER

4.CHI
5.CAL
CHICAGO

1.SJS
4.CHI
SAN JOSE

2.DET
3.VAN
VANCOUVER

1.SJS
3.VAN
VANCOUVER


FINALS:
1.BOS
3.VAN

Stanley Cup Champions: VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Conn Smythe: Roberto Luongo


As far as the west, I see DET being the most likely candidate for a 1st rd upset. Ana will give SJS all they can handle, but I dont think ANA has enough up front to pull off the upet.

I see PHI having another strong run to the conference finals. I absolutely love their depth up front. Pretty sick when you have 6 or 7 20 goal scorers on your team. I disagree with CHI in that BOS is going to destroy MTL in the first rd. Anytime these two teams get together its close. Last year MTL was the heavy favorite and BOS took em to a 7th game. Not to mention, before the season started MTL was a heavy favorite in the east..so if they can get their game together at all they could make things interesting.

I love how VAN is playing right now. Both DET and SJS kinda limped into the playoffs..VAN has been red hot for awhile now and having the best goalie in the league doesnt hurt.

Should be good though..all the matchups are interesting. I have DEVILS out in frist rd, but if they get past the red hot canes, I think theyre good enough to win the whole thing. This matchup may be their toughtest of the playoffs.

And my Rangers....well....its going to be a very short series!

Looks like I was wrong with MTL! Good call, Hawks. Markov out killed them, not that it may have made a difference.

Glad to see I was wrong about the Rangers too! Henrik is sick. Rangers have been badly outplayed every single game yet theyre up 3-1. Henrik stole every game for them. With all the terrible contracts Sather handed out, henrik at 7per, is an underpayment.

Thanks, my prediction on the Habs' defeat was certainly partially based on the fact that they would be without Markov, and it looks like that was correct, they were hurt pretty bad by that.

I can't believe those Rangers! I can imagine you are quite happy about the potential upset! It's been cool to see Varlamov come in and play as well as he has, despite losing 2.

I still think the Canes can upset, and I'm holding out hope that the Sharks will win it in 7, like I predicted. It looks like the Hawks will have to do it in 6, I was a little optimistic about them, I suppose.

Yea, same here with the hawks. I said them in 5 too. I tell ya tho..I was at both games 1 and 2 for the hawks and I never heard any building as loud as the UC was in game 1. That place was ridiculous! Especially when Cutler dropped the puck and during the anthem...Ill be at game 5 as well, was hoping it was going to be a clinching game tho!

Im with ya as well on the canes. Canes and Pitt would be a very good matchup in rd 2 if they do. I think if Canes dont take to many penalties they could beat them. Pitt 5 on 5 can be beat I think.

That's great to hear that the UC was so loud. Takes me back to the old Stadium days (I only got to go to one Hawks game in Chicago Stadium, but it's an experience I'll never forget)! Have fun at game 5, I'll be watching it on TV.

So, I was definitely wrong about Hiller. What a performance! Also, I really though the addition of Boyle and Blake, and a new coach would be enough to light a fire under the rest of the Sharks, but they are still the same choke artists they always were, I suppose.