Stanley Cup Champion

[GobbleDog 985]

Let's go LIGHTNING!!!!!

[Juniper 0]

In no particular order:

 

It's difficult to climb aboard the Rangers bandwagon after they pissed away the Atlantic Division crown, have dropped 5 straight contests and keep getting off to slow starts every game. Although they split the regular season series with the Devils; New Jersey is the hottest team in the league and should dispatch New York without the series going the distance. I like New Jersey to represent the Eastern Conference.

 

Ottawa has outscored Tampa Bay 16-6 in a four game sweep so far this season; no defense of the title for the Lightning. Carolina did the same thing to the Canadians 25-9; so Montreal doesn't pose much of a threat. Although I'd be a millionaire if prior matchups were the definitive barometer of how an NHL series plays out; it's difficult to predict that teams who'd been being so thoroughly dominated so far during the 2005-2006 season will sack up for the playoffs. No upsets so far in the first round.

 

I don't have the slightest clue how the Sabres/Flyers series will turn out. But the teams played each other tight this year and Buffalo has had some rotten post-seasons; so Philadelphia winning the series wouldn't be a huge upset. I don't see the Flyers as healthy enough to have a long playoff run.

 

Detroit has a few age, team speed, health and goaltending issues; but they're still the best team in the league. With home ice advantage, plenty of playoff experience and hungry after several uninspired post-season efforts; the Red Wings appear to be the team to beat.

 

The Avs aren't good enough on the road for an extended playoff run, the Ducks might be a year away, the Sharks might surprise some people and the rest of the conference doesn't appear poised to take out Detroit.

 

Well, about two weeks later; it's evident why I make predictions in an online forum instead of wagering actual money:

 

* I called the Rangers/Devils and Senators/Lightning series. New Jersey was too hot for a New York team that had so much go wrong. Ottawa receives a nice rest and an opportunity for Hasek to get healthy; if the Sens actually need him. Carolina is up 3-2 and poised to take out Montreal after it appears they had underestimated the Canadians the first two games. Buffalo/Philadelphia looks to be a home team series and the Sabres get game 7 in Buffalo if the Flyers stay alive Tuesday.

 

* The Red Wings are sh!itting the bed and I guess the Avs are OK on the road after all; there's no way I saw Colorado going 3-0 in Dallas. The Flames experience should make the difference in the Ducks demise. The Sharks taking their series isn't a huge upset; but watch out for them if Detroit bites the big one, because that Conference will be wide open.