Hello everyone and welcome to two guys hockey. We talk a ton about hockey....like shitloads. MY counter part has once typed out texts over 60 messages long of him ranting about the Caps, or the eastern playoff race, or how much he hates the Bruins; standard stuff but crazy length. So we decided to make a blog! How bout that for originality? So its my pleasure to kick things off, and what better time than the beginning of the NHL playoffs!
Round 1:
Blackhawks v. Wild
This matchup is especially close to my heart since I'm a Chi-town guy. The Hawks have essentially streamrolled their way into the top seed, and it was rarely ever in doubt they would lose the Presidents trophy race after their first 24 games. The Hawks could not have asked for a better matchup here in my opinion, the Wild are stumbling into the playoffs with a 4-5-1 record in the last ten games and a -5 goal differential. Only playoff team with a negative differential in the NHL. Wild had huge expectations for the state of hockey, Minnesota, entering the season signing both top free agents to mammoth deals. I have always like the Wild, they always sign on guys I like to help them out, but maybe their lineup is too adhoc and not enough homegrown talent to build chemistry. I mean think of the Predators, from that NHL expansion class they have had the most success and all by bringing up their own guys in their system and not signing big name contracts. Hawks also built their team with homegrown talent.
I like the Hawks to wipe the floor with the Wild in a 5 game series, but the Hawks have way too many expectations weighing on them so I see them faltering a game or two. Hawks win series in 6 games.
Ducks v. Red Wings
What a series of the unexpected. Who thought the Ducks would be the closest to challenge the Hawks for supremacy in the West? Who thought the wings would even make the playoffs after their poor play? Then again, who should doubt their now over 20 year playoff streak? Ducks came very close to passing the Hawks around the 2/3 mark of the season as the hawks lost a few games, but the Ducks also fell off their almost equally torrid pace. Ducks still played great hockey however, and deserve this near top seed. This team finally came together after only minimal offseason changes, much like the hawks, and sprinted from the cellar to the top. The Ducks should scare everyone, including the Red Wings. There just seems to be something missing from this Red Wings team, missing that swagger, that grit, that old-dog edge. Now they just seem...old. As a Hawks fan they havent scared me in like 3 seasons, and I actually thoughtt hey would miss the playoffs this year. Jimmy Howard looked shaky for stretches of the season, but so did the Ducks goaltending after Fasth fell off his horse.
I respect the Wings and that why I give them two wins here, but the Ducks are too talented and quick for the aging and slow Wings. Wings cant keep up with the Ducks and the Ducks win in high scoring games. Ducks in 6 games.
Canucks v. Sharks
Now this is an exciting matchup that I will be watching closely. Two very strong teams fighting in the middle of the pack of this loaded conference. Sharks started red-hot and cooled down a bit, but kept the wins coming off of a stellar season from Antti Niemi. Niemi was on a mission this season and pretty much willed this time into contention all season. The Canucks have actually flown a bit under the radar this season taking a back seat to the stories about the Ducks, Hawks, and Kings in the West. But they put together a very solid season very deserving of the 3 seed. Maybe the Canucks can make some noise this year if they stay healthy and there is no longer crushing expectations on them to win.
This series easily goes 7, and then it is a bit of a coin toss. I am givinf game 7 and the series to the Sharks based on strong goalie play outmatching the Canucks on the other end. Canucks are great, but sorry. Sharks win in 7 games.
Blues v. Kings
Now this being a 4v5 matchup you would expect a close series right? Wrong, I actually see the Kings rolling over the Blues here. The Blues are a great story, a young gritty team coming together finally in the past 2 seasons playing tight defensive hockey, but with some exciting young prospects to add an offensive flare. But this season, the goaltending is not as stellar as last season. Yes, it is unfair to say anyone could touch what the Blues goalies did last season, and they stilll have been solid this year, but not spectacular. The Kings coming rolling into the playoffs with a 7-3 record in past 10, and finally looking like the defending champs. They are playing with confidence we saw last season, with balanced scoring and a settled-down Jonathan Quick
The Kings are too talented for the Blues, and the Blues cannot win a track meet with the Kings. The only chance for the Blues is to grind down the Kings in a slow frustrating series. That is possible, but I think the Kings will dictate the series to win it. Kings win in 6 games.
Well that is all I have time for now, hopefully my colleague will be on soon to give a preview for the East.
All the best.
Round 1:
Blackhawks v. Wild
This matchup is especially close to my heart since I'm a Chi-town guy. The Hawks have essentially streamrolled their way into the top seed, and it was rarely ever in doubt they would lose the Presidents trophy race after their first 24 games. The Hawks could not have asked for a better matchup here in my opinion, the Wild are stumbling into the playoffs with a 4-5-1 record in the last ten games and a -5 goal differential. Only playoff team with a negative differential in the NHL. Wild had huge expectations for the state of hockey, Minnesota, entering the season signing both top free agents to mammoth deals. I have always like the Wild, they always sign on guys I like to help them out, but maybe their lineup is too adhoc and not enough homegrown talent to build chemistry. I mean think of the Predators, from that NHL expansion class they have had the most success and all by bringing up their own guys in their system and not signing big name contracts. Hawks also built their team with homegrown talent.
I like the Hawks to wipe the floor with the Wild in a 5 game series, but the Hawks have way too many expectations weighing on them so I see them faltering a game or two. Hawks win series in 6 games.
Ducks v. Red Wings
What a series of the unexpected. Who thought the Ducks would be the closest to challenge the Hawks for supremacy in the West? Who thought the wings would even make the playoffs after their poor play? Then again, who should doubt their now over 20 year playoff streak? Ducks came very close to passing the Hawks around the 2/3 mark of the season as the hawks lost a few games, but the Ducks also fell off their almost equally torrid pace. Ducks still played great hockey however, and deserve this near top seed. This team finally came together after only minimal offseason changes, much like the hawks, and sprinted from the cellar to the top. The Ducks should scare everyone, including the Red Wings. There just seems to be something missing from this Red Wings team, missing that swagger, that grit, that old-dog edge. Now they just seem...old. As a Hawks fan they havent scared me in like 3 seasons, and I actually thoughtt hey would miss the playoffs this year. Jimmy Howard looked shaky for stretches of the season, but so did the Ducks goaltending after Fasth fell off his horse.
I respect the Wings and that why I give them two wins here, but the Ducks are too talented and quick for the aging and slow Wings. Wings cant keep up with the Ducks and the Ducks win in high scoring games. Ducks in 6 games.
Canucks v. Sharks
Now this is an exciting matchup that I will be watching closely. Two very strong teams fighting in the middle of the pack of this loaded conference. Sharks started red-hot and cooled down a bit, but kept the wins coming off of a stellar season from Antti Niemi. Niemi was on a mission this season and pretty much willed this time into contention all season. The Canucks have actually flown a bit under the radar this season taking a back seat to the stories about the Ducks, Hawks, and Kings in the West. But they put together a very solid season very deserving of the 3 seed. Maybe the Canucks can make some noise this year if they stay healthy and there is no longer crushing expectations on them to win.
This series easily goes 7, and then it is a bit of a coin toss. I am givinf game 7 and the series to the Sharks based on strong goalie play outmatching the Canucks on the other end. Canucks are great, but sorry. Sharks win in 7 games.
Blues v. Kings
Now this being a 4v5 matchup you would expect a close series right? Wrong, I actually see the Kings rolling over the Blues here. The Blues are a great story, a young gritty team coming together finally in the past 2 seasons playing tight defensive hockey, but with some exciting young prospects to add an offensive flare. But this season, the goaltending is not as stellar as last season. Yes, it is unfair to say anyone could touch what the Blues goalies did last season, and they stilll have been solid this year, but not spectacular. The Kings coming rolling into the playoffs with a 7-3 record in past 10, and finally looking like the defending champs. They are playing with confidence we saw last season, with balanced scoring and a settled-down Jonathan Quick
The Kings are too talented for the Blues, and the Blues cannot win a track meet with the Kings. The only chance for the Blues is to grind down the Kings in a slow frustrating series. That is possible, but I think the Kings will dictate the series to win it. Kings win in 6 games.
Well that is all I have time for now, hopefully my colleague will be on soon to give a preview for the East.
All the best.
