Sunday, May 27, 2012

100th Post - Stanley Cup Finals Prediction

After 3 rounds of the playoffs, we are left with two teams fighting for the once in a lifetime chance to hoist Lord Stanley. I must say that the two teams competing are definitely a surprise to many, as I bet few people had both the Kings and Devils going to the cup. With that being said, here is my Stanley Cup Finals Prediction:

6. New Jersey vs. 8. Los Angeles - Both of these teams have taken impressive paths to get to the finals, and it is going to be one heck of a series. Starting with the Devils, they have beaten the Panthers, Flyers and Rangers en route to the Cup. They won the first series in game 7 OT, as rookie sensation Adam Henrique scored the winner. Then they dismantled the Flyers easily in 5, looking stronger as each game went on. The Conference Finals matchup vs. the Rangers looked very even, and through 3 games the Rangers had the 2-1 edge and looked to grab control. However, the Devils kicked it into high gear from game 4 on and won 3 straight games, including another OT series winner from Henrique in game 6. While the Devils are certainly on a roll right now, they are going to have their hands full with the feisty Kings. The Kings come into this series having beaten the #1, 2 and 3 seeds in the West in Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix. Not only have they done this in impressive style, but they have only lost twice in the entire playoffs and both of those game come at home (perfect 8-0 on the road). The Kings look like the team to beat in this matchup, but will certainly have their hands full with a talented Devils team. There are several important matchups to look at, and it starts in net. The Kings have the young Jon Quick, who has been the best goalie in the playoffs so far. For the Devils, the ageless Martin Brodeur has dipped into the fountain of youth and is playing some of his best hockey at age 40. The other big matchup will be the battle of the Captains, both Dustin Brown and Zach Parise have been equally as good for their respective teams as they both try to be the one to raise the Cup. This is going to be a great series, only time will tell who will be the Stanley Cup Champion in 2012

Players to Watch: NJD - Zach Parise, Martin Brodeur, Adam Henrique, Ilya Kovalchuk, Ryan Carter. LAK - Dustin Brown, Jon Quick, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Dwight King

Prediction - This series is extremely hard to predict, as both teams are playing their best hockey at the right time. While I think (and want) the Devils to win the cup, I believe the Kings are too strong (especially with the potential return of Simon Gagne) and Dustin Brown will be lifting the Stanley Cup

(KINGS in 7)

This marks the end of my predictions for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I went 6-8 in round 1, 0-4 in round 2 and 2-2 in round 3. This will be a very exciting finals, and either team has a great chance of winning. Let the finals begin!

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (STANLEY CUP FINAL EDITION)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Eastern/Western Conference Finals Preview

The playoffs are quite unpredictable, and I learned that the hard way from round two as I went 0/4 on series predictions. However, I think more people are surprised by the 4 teams still remaining, especially the West matchup of Phoenix/LA. The winner of each of these series will move on to the Stanley Cup Finals, and with that being said here are my predictions:

Eastern Conference Finals:

1. New York vs. 6. New Jersey - While the Rangers are coming off a 2nd straight game 7 victory, they will have their hands full with a rested New Jersey Devil team. This is a rematch of the '94 Eastern Conference Finals, and we all know how that ended (take it away Mark Messier - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy2JAOVJyRY). However, things are much different this time around as both teams are riding different paths to the 3rd round. The Rangers beat the #8 Sens and #7 Caps in 7 games each, and have been led by the stellar play of Henrik Lundqvist and Brad Richards. While the Rangers have been pushed to the brink in both rounds, they used their #1 seed advantage to get game 7 at home, and it has paid off well for them. The Devils have taken a different path, as the #6 seed they beat the #3 Panthers in 7 and easily dismantled the seemingly dominant #5 Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games. The Devils looked extremely impressive last round, led by the ageless Martin Brodeur and Ilya Kovalchuk upfront. This is going to be a great series, division rivals who dislike each other.

Players to Watch: NYR - Henrik Lundqvist, Brad Richards, Michael Del Zotto, Brandon Prust, Marian Gaborik. NJD - Martin Brodeur, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, David Clarkson

Prediction - While the Rangers have won 2 straight game 7s, I believe the Devils come in as the rested team and finally knock off the #1 seed.

(DEVILS in 7)

Western Conference Finals:

3. Phoenix vs. 8. Los Angeles - Both of these teams have taken similar paths to the Western Conference Finals, as the play of Jon Quick and Mike Smith has been stellar so far. This is a very unexpected series to begin with, as not many people had either of these teams going past the first round, let alone the second. The Los Angeles Kings have been the most impressive in the playoffs thus far, easily knocking out the #1 seed Canucks in 5 and then sweeping the #2 seed Blues in 4. There are many reasons that this team is succeeding at the right time, and Jon Quick is the #1 reason. Besides him, they are lead upfront by the play of their top 2 lines: Kopitar-Williams-Brown and Richards-Penner-Carter as well by the steady play of Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell on d. The Coyotes come into this matchup in similar style, as they knocked the #6 Hawks out in 6 and then the #4 Predators in 5. Like the Kings, the Coyotes are lead by goaltender Mike Smith as he has been exceptional so far. Beside that, the Coyotes are a well-balanced team that isn't lead by 1 superstar but rather a team of players who are certainly clicking right now. Shane Doan and Ray Whitney lead upfront, and on defence the tandem of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle are having a breakout playoffs. This series is surely going to be very close, as both teams don't score that often but rely heavily on team-defence and protecting their goalie

Players to Watch: PHX - Mike Smith, Shane Doan, Ray Whitney, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Radim Vrbata. LAK - Jon Quick, Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar

Prediction - This series could go either way, but the Kings are too strong right now and will march on to the Stanley Cup

(KINGS in 6)

This leaves my prediction as the #6 Devils vs. the #8 Kings in the Stanley Cup Final

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)