Here is a look at the Eastern Conference matchups and my predictions:
1. New York vs 8. Ottawa - This is an interesting series, the Rangers are by far the better team but have been dominated by the Sens this year (3-1 in the season series). The fact is that the Sens are scary good on offense, and Craig Anderson is capable of stealing a series. However, the Rangers didn't play well all year to be out first round, and Hank Lundqvist will certainly have a big role in making sure they don't get upset in this series.
Players to Watch: NYR - Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal. OTT - Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson, Craig Anderson, Milan Michalek.
Prediction - While I think that an upset is certainly possible, Lundqvist will be too much for the Sens.
(RANGERS IN 6)
2. Boston vs 7. Washington - The defending champs start their quest for back-to-back cups with an opening round match with the Capitals. The Capitals won the season series 3-1, and have Alexander Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom back from injury, but they will have their work cut out in taking out the defending champs. However, the Bruins are missing Nathan Horton, a key member of last year's run to the cup. This will be a physical, tough series and certainly entertaining
Players to Watch: BOS - Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Tim Thomas, Tyler Seguin. WAS - Alexander Ovechkin, John Carlson, Niklas Backstrom, Jason Chimera, Troy Brouwer.
Prediction - The Bruins will be too much for the pesky caps, as Thomas caries them once again
(BRUINS IN 6)
3. Florida vs. 6. New Jersey - The Florida Panthers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, and they are coming in as a confident group after winning their first ever division title. The Devils had a very successful year, and with the 2nd half re-emergence of Marty Brodeur they look poised for a deep playoff run. This will be a close, tight series as both teams will fight for the mental edge. The Devils may be stronger on forward and in net (Brodeur vs. Theodore/Clemmensen), but the Panthers wow teams to sleep with their defensive trap. Devils coach Pete DeBoer will get a chance to take down his former team, as will goalie Scott Clemmensen who might end up as the Panthers starter (over Jose Theodore).
Players to Watch: FLA - Kris Versteeg, Brian Campbell, Stephen Weiss, Sean Bergenheim, Tomas Fleischmann. NJD - Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, Marty Brodeur, David Clarkson, Patrick Elias
Prediction - This series could go either way, ultimately Marty Brodeur will lead them onto the 2nd round
(DEVILS IN 5)
4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Philadelphia - By far the most anticipated matchup of the first round, this is surely going to be a memorable playoff series. In my opinion, one serious cup contender is gone once this series is over, as I believe whoever wins goes to the finals. The Penguins come in loaded upfront with a healthy Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, as well as supporting cast member's Letang, Neal, Kunitz, Staal and most importantly Marc-Andre Fleury in net. The Flyers come in as an equally offensive team, lead by the first line of Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr as well as supporting cast member's Timonen, Simmonds, Briere, Talbot and Ilya Bryzgalov in net. The Flyers also have a trio of rookie forwards in Matt Read, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier, all who get their first shot at the playoffs. Former Penguins Max Talbot and Jaromir Jagr will certainly hear the boo-birds, as it will be a "blood bath" of a series. Who will win? The forwards will matchup perfectly, as well as Fleury and Bryzgalov in net, and it will all be decided on the ice.
Players to Watch: PITT - Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Kristopher Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury. PHI - Claude Giroux, Jaromir Jagr, Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds
Prediction - This series has the potential to go either way, and each team will take any advantage they can get.
(FLYERS IN 6)
This would have New York (1), Boston (2), Philadelphia (5) and New Jersey (6) moving on. The matchups would look the following:
1. New York vs 6. New Jersey and 2. Boston vs 5. Philadelphia
Western Conference Preview coming up next
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
Monday, April 9, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Playoff Preview #1 - Powerhouses of the East (NYR BOS PHI PIT)
Hello all,
Leading up to the NHL playoffs, I will be previewing certain teams/conferences and what I expect for this year's playoffs. In my first report, I will be looking at the Powerhouses of the East (as I call them) - New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. While the first round will certainly be exciting, and I'm not throwing out the chances of upsets, these 4 teams have the biggest chance of representing the East in the Stanley Cup. However, it all comes down to final standings and we (most likely) are going to see Pittsburgh/Philadelphia in a Clash of the Titans first round (which will end one of those teams title hopes). For the purpose of this report I will split it into two segments: PIT/PHI and NYR/BOS
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Battle of Pennsylvania
These division rivals are neck and neck with eachother in every respect, and it shows in the 6 games a year they play each year (especially this year). They have been physical, rough and high scoring games including the last 6-4 win by Philadelphia on Sunday which included several fights and a game-ending brawl. The storylines are obvious for the Pens: Malkin for MVP, Crosby and his concussion problems, Bylsma and his extraordinary coaching style. However, I feel that the Flyers don't get asmuch credit then they deserve, especially when the two teams are compared. Peter Laviolette may not be the most liked coach in the league, but he knows how to win and he is bold. Claude Giroux is amongst the best forwards in the game, while he is #3 in scoring it is his two way play and leadership that puts him amonst the NHL's elite. Throw in a career year from Hartnell and Simmonds, the steadyness of Jagr and Briere and young forwards JVR, Schenn, Talbot etc, and the Flyers have one of the best forward cores in the league. There #1 D and Captain Chris Pronger is out for the season, but there D remains a big part of their team (Coburn Timonen Carle Kubina Grossman and Meszaros). Flyers have won 4 of 5 games so far this year (with the last game on Saturday), and deserve to be praised as much as Pittsburgh does. If these teams end up playing eachother we will know one thing: it is going to be by far the most exciting first round playoff series. Both the teams are dead even in my opinion, and it will be a grueling 7-game series if they do end up playing eachother. It will be a huge win and crushing loss for each team, but we will have to wait and see who ends up in which place. My prediction: Philly in 7
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers - Battle of #1 Contenders
The #1 and #2 seeds in the east respectively, both have very different storylines. The Boston Bruins are defending champs, and they look to have as much success as they did last year. However, certain things are much different this time around. Nathan Horton is hurt, but Tyler Seguin has a much more impacting role this year. We all remember how important Horton was to their cup run, and it will be on the line of Marchand-Seguin-Bergeron to take them there (ofcourse with Thomas and Chara anchoring the team). Locked in at #2, the Bruins most likely will get the Ottawa Senators in round #1 and will have yet another Canadian first round matchup (and we all remember Montreal taking them to game 7 ot last year). Will they repeat? While the Bruins are looking for repeat sucesss, the Rangers are looking for straight up playoff consistency. The Rangers clinched the division, conference and #1 spot in the east with a win tonight, but have much higher expectations in the playoffs. They have lacked playoff spark since the 94 cup run, and this year's team will only go as far as Henrik Lundqvist can take them. Another big issue is they are going to get either Washington or Buffalo in the first round, and they will have their hands full with either team. Both these teams are powerhouses but certainly vulnerable, and who knows what will happen in the playoffs. My Prediction: The Bruins and Flyers meet in the Conference Finals, with the Rangers losing either first round or second round.
Love this time of year, back with preview #2 next!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
Leading up to the NHL playoffs, I will be previewing certain teams/conferences and what I expect for this year's playoffs. In my first report, I will be looking at the Powerhouses of the East (as I call them) - New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. While the first round will certainly be exciting, and I'm not throwing out the chances of upsets, these 4 teams have the biggest chance of representing the East in the Stanley Cup. However, it all comes down to final standings and we (most likely) are going to see Pittsburgh/Philadelphia in a Clash of the Titans first round (which will end one of those teams title hopes). For the purpose of this report I will split it into two segments: PIT/PHI and NYR/BOS
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Battle of Pennsylvania
These division rivals are neck and neck with eachother in every respect, and it shows in the 6 games a year they play each year (especially this year). They have been physical, rough and high scoring games including the last 6-4 win by Philadelphia on Sunday which included several fights and a game-ending brawl. The storylines are obvious for the Pens: Malkin for MVP, Crosby and his concussion problems, Bylsma and his extraordinary coaching style. However, I feel that the Flyers don't get asmuch credit then they deserve, especially when the two teams are compared. Peter Laviolette may not be the most liked coach in the league, but he knows how to win and he is bold. Claude Giroux is amongst the best forwards in the game, while he is #3 in scoring it is his two way play and leadership that puts him amonst the NHL's elite. Throw in a career year from Hartnell and Simmonds, the steadyness of Jagr and Briere and young forwards JVR, Schenn, Talbot etc, and the Flyers have one of the best forward cores in the league. There #1 D and Captain Chris Pronger is out for the season, but there D remains a big part of their team (Coburn Timonen Carle Kubina Grossman and Meszaros). Flyers have won 4 of 5 games so far this year (with the last game on Saturday), and deserve to be praised as much as Pittsburgh does. If these teams end up playing eachother we will know one thing: it is going to be by far the most exciting first round playoff series. Both the teams are dead even in my opinion, and it will be a grueling 7-game series if they do end up playing eachother. It will be a huge win and crushing loss for each team, but we will have to wait and see who ends up in which place. My prediction: Philly in 7
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers - Battle of #1 Contenders
The #1 and #2 seeds in the east respectively, both have very different storylines. The Boston Bruins are defending champs, and they look to have as much success as they did last year. However, certain things are much different this time around. Nathan Horton is hurt, but Tyler Seguin has a much more impacting role this year. We all remember how important Horton was to their cup run, and it will be on the line of Marchand-Seguin-Bergeron to take them there (ofcourse with Thomas and Chara anchoring the team). Locked in at #2, the Bruins most likely will get the Ottawa Senators in round #1 and will have yet another Canadian first round matchup (and we all remember Montreal taking them to game 7 ot last year). Will they repeat? While the Bruins are looking for repeat sucesss, the Rangers are looking for straight up playoff consistency. The Rangers clinched the division, conference and #1 spot in the east with a win tonight, but have much higher expectations in the playoffs. They have lacked playoff spark since the 94 cup run, and this year's team will only go as far as Henrik Lundqvist can take them. Another big issue is they are going to get either Washington or Buffalo in the first round, and they will have their hands full with either team. Both these teams are powerhouses but certainly vulnerable, and who knows what will happen in the playoffs. My Prediction: The Bruins and Flyers meet in the Conference Finals, with the Rangers losing either first round or second round.
Love this time of year, back with preview #2 next!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Playoffs
Hello all,
After a brief break from the blogging world, I will be returning upon the start of the NHL playoffs. I will do this whether the avs make the playoffs or not, but lets hope they do! The Stanley Cup Playoffs is just around the corner, the most exciting time of the year. Cheers!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
After a brief break from the blogging world, I will be returning upon the start of the NHL playoffs. I will do this whether the avs make the playoffs or not, but lets hope they do! The Stanley Cup Playoffs is just around the corner, the most exciting time of the year. Cheers!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News
Friday, March 2, 2012
taking a break
currently taking a break from blogging for a week or 2, will update all the games I missed then.
go avs go
go avs go
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