Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Brett's 2013 NHL Playoff Conference Quarterfinals Predictions

About two weeks ago, I wrote my predictions for the 2013 NBA Playoffs and - apart from Denver - so far, so good.


Now, the NHL regular season has wrapped up and the playoffs are upon us. The Toronto Maple Leafs broke a nine year playoff drought. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Detroit Red Wings continued their impressive run in the post-season, making the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 22nd year in a row. And that's not even talking about the impressive seasons that the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguin, and Anaheim Ducks have completed. Who will win? Here's my take:


Eastern Conference
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (8) New York Islanders
The good news for the Penguins is Sidney Crosby has been practicing with the team, wearing a funny looking jaw protector. Crosby, who broke his jaw at the hands of a Brooks Orpik slapshot in a game against the Islanders, is still waiting to be cleared by doctors before returning to the team. Pittsburgh won the season series between the two teams, including four straight wins. However, I don't believe that will be the main factor in the Penguins winning the series. They have an excess in playoff experience, adding even more after acquiring Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow. While it will be nice to see Islanders star John Tavares in the playoffs, it won't be a long visit. The Penguins have a lot of expectations and a lot to prove after last year's debacle.
Pittsburgh wins series 4-1.

(2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators won their final game of the season to cement this match-up in the first round. Not only will this be a great series, but it guarantees a Canadian team in the second round. Anyways, on to the series: this is a close one. Being division rivals, these teams are very familiar with each other. They split the season series, and I see more of the same coming. The Senators received a boost with the unlikely return of reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. The 22-year-old defenceman recently came back after a nasty Achilles injury suffered at the hands skate of Matt Cooke. However, they don't appear to be getting centre Jason Spezza back any time soon. When it comes down to it, I trust Canadiens goalie Carey Price in a seven game series more than Senators goalie Craig Anderson. Also, expect a double-OT game in this one.
Montreal wins series 4-3.

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) New York Rangers
These two teams have met in the last two playoffs. Last year, they met in a seven game thriller in the second round. While the Rangers came out on top last year, I think the Capitals will get the job done this time around. Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin has been the hottest player in the second half of the season, storming past Steven Stamkos to lead the league with 32 goals. Plus, he's scored some fantastic goals against the Rangers in his playoff history. Now, New York won't just lie down for this series. They have arguably the best goalie in the league in Henrik Lundqvist, who was responsible for 24 of the 26 games the Rangers won this year. He'll steal them a couple of games, but the offense isn't there for New York, which was surprising after they acquired Rick Nash from the Blue Jackets in the offseason. Ovi and the Caps will use their firepower to get by a stiff test from the Rangers.
Washington wins series 4-2.

(4) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
It seems fitting that the Leafs would play the Bruins in their first trip to the playoffs in nine years. It was just three and a half years ago that Toronto gave up two first round picks for winger Phil Kessel. Of course, those picks ended up being Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton, both of whom will play this season. This series will be a defining moment in Kessel's young career. In two series with the Bruins, Kessel was a point-per-game player in the playoffs. While he has been a very nice addition for the Leafs, he can't find his game against the Bruins. In his career against his former team, Kessel has nine points in 22 games. If Toronto has any hope of winning this series, Kessel will have to get back to his point-per-game level. However, even if that happens, it doesn't look good for the Leafs. Since the Kessel trade, Boston is 15-4-3 against the Leafs. The Bruins also won't be intimidated by the physical game Toronto likes to play with players like Zdeno Chara, Shawn Thornton, and Milan Lucic. Not to mention the offensive ability of Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Jaromir Jagr, and others. As much as it pains me to say this, it will be a quick series for Boston. Toronto wins one at home, but that's it.
Boston wins series 4-1.


Western Conference
(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (8) Minnesota Wild
Many, including myself, believe that the Minnesota Wild won the 2012 offseason by signing both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to identical 13-year, $98 million deals. While some questioned the contracts, it was apparent they would help the team during the 2012-13 season. And it helped to some degree. For the first time in five seasons, Minnesota made the playoffs - barely. They needed all 48 games, but they edged the Blue Jackets. Their reward: drawing arguably the best team in the league in the first round. Chicago has been on fire this season, winning the President's Trophy this season. Led by their two young stars Patrick Kane (55 points) and Jonathan Toews (48 points), the Chicago offense was clicking all year. The Blackhawks also finally got some solid goaltending this year from Ray Emery and Corey Crawford. Chicago is just too good for the Wild.
Chicago wins series 4-0.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings
It's not strange to see a first round series between the Ducks and the Red Wings. However, it's not too often that Detroit is the seven seed in the series. The Ducks have been strong all season after missing the playoffs last year. It's just so hard to go against Detroit, especially with the talent that takes the ice night-in and night-out. They have seemed to been getting their game back together later in the season. It was a big adjustment for the Wings this year, losing former captain Niklas Lidstrom to retirement. This will be another close series, and my gut is telling me to go with history. It doesn't hurt that history has players like Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Jimmy Howard.
Detroit wins series 4-3.

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) San Jose Sharks
I think this series wil be closer than most people expect. San Jose has been one of the best teams at home this season, losing only twice in regulation. They still have most of the veteran core of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dan Boyle. Logan Couture will have to have a great series to knock off the Northwest Division Champions. Speaking of the Canucks, the season has been followed by the Luongo vs. Schneider storyline. With Schneider looking to be the starter heading into the playoffs, it will be interesting to see if he can rebound after last year's shaky performance against the Kings. Offensively, Vancouver has the spark and talent with the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler, and even Alex Burrows. It just didn't seem to click this season, as the team only scored 122 goals. If they are able to rebound, the Canucks win the series. Too bad for San Jose that Game 7 will be on the road.
Vancouver wins series 4-3.

(4) St. Louis Blues vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings
In another rematch of last year's Conference Semifinals, the Blues host the defending Stanley Cup Champions. It's been an up and down season for both teams. For a while, Brian Elliott couldn't get things done in net. Heading into the playoffs, he's the NHL's second star for the month of April. Defense hasn't been a problem for the Blues, but scoring has been an issue: only three players had more than 10 goals this season. As for the Kings, they swept the Blues last year during their march through the Western Conference. Much of their team remains unchanged from last year, but Jonathan Quick hasn't shown the second gear he demonstrated last year. Los Angeles seemingly found their game again at the end of the year. They'll be able to take care of Blues again, except less dominant.
Los Angeles wins series 4-2.

Well, those are my predictions for the first round of the playoffs. Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below.

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