Well, it's been quite a while since my last post here, but thankfully the Bruins didn't take as much time off as I did. I've been doing a lot of writing for the school newspaper (www.suffolkjournal.net) and some for InsideHockey.com as well, but figured I needed to at least do a playoff preview for each conference, as well as some predictions. It won't be that in depth, as I may work on a more in depth B's-Habs preview for one of the aforementioned publications.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens
Come on, admit it. It had to come down to this. Same teams, a year later, in opposite roles. If last Thursday's game is any indication, this series will be a barn burner. It's hard to argue that the Bruins aren't better than Montreal in nearly all aspects of the game. The Bruins hold an edge in goaltending, defense, physicality and scoring, while Montreal may hold a slight edge on the power play. If the Bruins play their game and stay out of the box, they'll take this series going away. However, if the B's get complacent and take the Habs lightly, a surprise isn't out of the realm of possibility. Claude Julien isn't likely to let his B's slack off though. Bruins in 5
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (7) New York Rangers
The Rangers played better hockey down the stretch under new coach John Tortorella, but they lack the offensive firepower to compete with the high-scoring Caps over the course of a series. The Rangers definitely have a wide advantage in goaltending though, and if Henrik Lundqvist gets hot, the Rangers have a fighting chance. Jose Theodore can be shaky in goal for the Caps, but they have more than enough power on the other side of the puck with Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and Alex Semin. Expect the Rangers to put up a good fight in each game, but ultimately fall short. Caps in 5.
(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes
This is going to be my first upset pick, and I'm sure hockey pundits would be aghast: how DARE I pick against Martin Brodeur in the playoffs?! Uh, well, simply: I think the Canes are one of the more underrated teams in the Eastern Conference, and are getting stellar play from goalie Cam Ward when they need it most. The Canes went an astounding 10-1-2 in March, proving that the team is coming together just in time for the playoffs. While I expect Brodeur, Zach Parise, Patrik Elias and Co. to play strong hockey, I think the Canes, on the back of Ward, will take this series in the end. Canes in 7.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
This battle of Pennsylvania is sure to be a wild one, with bad blood between the two teams closest to each other in the standings. Sidney Crosby and the Pens have played inspired puck under Dan Bylsma, and are starting to look like real Cup contenders again. They have a playoff-tested roster and a high-powered offense. While the Flyers also have plenty of firepower, I'm not sold on their goalies, Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki. I expect this one to be a close series, but one that the Pens pull out. Penguins in 6.
_________________________________________________
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks
Call me crazy, but I feel like this one may be a shocker waiting to happen. The Sharks have been one of the league's elite teams all year, and finished with the league's best record. The hockey experts hae all proclaimed this "their year", the year where the Black and Teal will finally get that playoff-choker monkey off of their back. I just think they're playing one tough group right off the bat. Like the aforementioned Penguins, the Ducks have plenty of playoff tested vets on the roster. They are a cohesive group, and feel that they have a good shot at knocking off Goliath. I won't go so far as to say that they'll do it, but expect a tight one. Sharks in 6.
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs. (7) Columbus Blue Jackets
Poor Columbus. The Jackets finally make the playoffs for the first time in the history of the franchise, aaaaaaaand what do we have for them? Only one of the best teams of the past decade. I think Steve Mason is the real deal, but he's facing too much talent against the Wings. If Rick Nash can seriously elevate his play to an otherworldly level, then the Jackets may have a chance, or if Mason can get his game rolling, which isn't out of the realm of possibility. The Wings will take this one, but it sure won't be easy. Wings in 6.
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) St. Louis Blues
I love this match-up for the Blues, and I'm not even sure why. There's something about their team that I like, and I think they can take this series. While Roberto Luongo is undoubtedly a stellar goalie, his playoff record isn't as shiny, and I'm not sold on the Canucks as a group, even though their one of my favorite non-Bruins teams. If Luongo plays as well as he is able to, then the Canucks should be able to win, but I think the Blues, led by their enthralling core of youngsters, will shock the NHL and take the series. Blues in 7.
(4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Calgary Flames
The Flames, who were, as their name suggests, on fire after the trade deadline, have cooled signifcantly, and didn't exactly burst into the postseason in full gallop. The Hawks, led by youngsters Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, are ready for their first taste of late-spring hockey in years, and are primed to make a decent run out West. I think the Flames have plenty of talent, but are going to come up short barring consistently stellar play by Miikka Kiprusoff. Fans in the Windy City will get to enjoy an extended visit to the playoffs this year. Hawks in 6.
So there you have it. According to my predictions, the second round match-ups will be as follows:
Bruins vs. Hurricanes
Capitals vs. Penguins
Sharks vs. Blues
Red Wings vs. Blackhawks
Only time will tell how I do...any comments or predictions are welcome as well, and, as always, Go B's.
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Penguins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Penguins. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
November Wrap-up
In my last monthly wrap-up post, I looked ahead to November, and projected the Bruins to finish the grueling month with 31 points, thereby earning 18 points out of the month's possible 26. Instead, the Bruins decided they'd go 11-1-1 and earn 23 out of the possible 26. Yikes.
The roll that this team went on in November is, to put it in a word, astounding. The team lost ONE GAME in regulation, a bit of a stinker last week in Buffalo, and ONE in a shootout, a game they, by all accounts, should have won against the Rangers.
The team is clicking on all cylinders right now, playing defense, scoring, passing, hitting...you name it, the boys in Black and Gold are doing it. Here are some stats from the past month:
Goals For: 53
Goals Against: 25 (including shootout)
Goals For Per Game: 4.08
Goals Against Per Game: 1.92
Here are some stats for the team, and their league rank in parentheses, as of December 1:
Wins: 16 (2nd)
PK: 82.3 % (15th)
Power Play: 23% (4th)
Total Goals For: 80 (t-2nd)
Total Goals Against: 51 (2nd)
The stat here that stands out the most has to be the penalty-kill. The Bruins were languishing at the bottom of the league in that department towards the end of October, killing penalties at an embarrassing 70-75% rate. However, they've gone on a penalty-killing tear lately, and have risen to the middle of the league in that ever-important category.
Basically, to put it in plain words, the Bruins really couldn't have asked for a better November. To make things better, they have a decently favorable December, giving the team a chance to keep on rolling and packing on the points.
DECEMBER AT A GLANCE:
Games: 13 (4 home, 9 road)
Key games: 12/10 at Washington, 12/30 at Pittsburgh
Like last month, there are 26 points up for grabs this month. Like last month, I expect the Bruins to pick up the majority of them. I do think the injuries to Andrew Ference and more recently Aaron Ward may start to hurt this team, but not in a huge way. Matt Hunwick has already filled in nicely, and I expect to see an appearance by Matt Lashoff or Johnny Boychuk in Tampa on Thursday, as reports are already saying Ward won't be making the trip. I'm predicting the Bruins to pick up 19 points in December, cooling off slightly but maintaining a great point-accumulating clip. I'm seeing a record of 8-2-3, thinking the losses would be to Washington and either Pittsburgh or Carolina, and at least one of the OTL's against Atlanta in a back-to-back home-and-home series. It's just hard to beat the same team back-to-back nights in this league. 19 points would give this team 55 points at the end of December with over three full months left to play, putting them on a torrid pace. The B's are likely to cool down at some point, but let's hope it's not for a while.
Go B's.
The roll that this team went on in November is, to put it in a word, astounding. The team lost ONE GAME in regulation, a bit of a stinker last week in Buffalo, and ONE in a shootout, a game they, by all accounts, should have won against the Rangers.
The team is clicking on all cylinders right now, playing defense, scoring, passing, hitting...you name it, the boys in Black and Gold are doing it. Here are some stats from the past month:
Goals For: 53
Goals Against: 25 (including shootout)
Goals For Per Game: 4.08
Goals Against Per Game: 1.92
Here are some stats for the team, and their league rank in parentheses, as of December 1:
Wins: 16 (2nd)
PK: 82.3 % (15th)
Power Play: 23% (4th)
Total Goals For: 80 (t-2nd)
Total Goals Against: 51 (2nd)
The stat here that stands out the most has to be the penalty-kill. The Bruins were languishing at the bottom of the league in that department towards the end of October, killing penalties at an embarrassing 70-75% rate. However, they've gone on a penalty-killing tear lately, and have risen to the middle of the league in that ever-important category.
Basically, to put it in plain words, the Bruins really couldn't have asked for a better November. To make things better, they have a decently favorable December, giving the team a chance to keep on rolling and packing on the points.
DECEMBER AT A GLANCE:
Games: 13 (4 home, 9 road)
Key games: 12/10 at Washington, 12/30 at Pittsburgh
Like last month, there are 26 points up for grabs this month. Like last month, I expect the Bruins to pick up the majority of them. I do think the injuries to Andrew Ference and more recently Aaron Ward may start to hurt this team, but not in a huge way. Matt Hunwick has already filled in nicely, and I expect to see an appearance by Matt Lashoff or Johnny Boychuk in Tampa on Thursday, as reports are already saying Ward won't be making the trip. I'm predicting the Bruins to pick up 19 points in December, cooling off slightly but maintaining a great point-accumulating clip. I'm seeing a record of 8-2-3, thinking the losses would be to Washington and either Pittsburgh or Carolina, and at least one of the OTL's against Atlanta in a back-to-back home-and-home series. It's just hard to beat the same team back-to-back nights in this league. 19 points would give this team 55 points at the end of December with over three full months left to play, putting them on a torrid pace. The B's are likely to cool down at some point, but let's hope it's not for a while.
Go B's.
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