Monday, April 11, 2011

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Predictions

I hope you realise that this blog is the location for my love of sports, as well as other things, but given the ‘official’ announcement last night, I have to discuss the standings/seedings for what is fast-becoming my latest addiction.


Eastern Conference:

No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 8 New York Rangers
No. 2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 7 Buffalo Sabres
No. 3 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Montreal Canadiens
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference:

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 Chicago Blackhawks
No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Kings
No. 3 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 6 Phoenix Coyotes
No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Nashville Predators

As you may expect, I’m rooting for the Capitals, but, in their opening series, I am predicting 5-6 games to decide it.  The Rangers have had their number all year, but they were not yet playing the new defence-first system.  I give the edge to the Caps in this one, but a short leash for whoever is sitting in goal.

For the rest of the Eastern conference, I expect the Sabres to upset the Flyers in 6,maybe 7, games.  I also expect the Bruins and Canadiens to fight it out in 7 games.  I think the Lightning will upset the Penguins in 6 games, but if the Penguins get ahead early, that could change.

For the Western Conference, I expect the President’s Trophy curse to continue for a third year and the reigning Stanely Cup champs, the Blackhawks will oust the Canucks in 7 games.  I don’t expect nay upsets in the Western conference besides that, but all the series will easily weigh in for 6 games.  The Sharks, Red Wings and Ducks should advance to the next round.

Overall, I think the Capitals could find themselves in their second Stanley Cup appearance, but I see the Bruins and Penguins as being large stumbling blocks.  On the other side, I think the Sharks should break out of their funk and get through this year, but these really are just guesses.  You’ve been warned.

2 comments:

  1. Kings and Sharks, that should be an interesting series. Probably as much of a rivalry between them as between the Ducks and Kings, if not more.

    Chicago needs to do better than they did in yesterdays game if they want to repeat. That second period was not so hot.

    How surprised I was to find the Ducks had made it to 4th, after being near the bottom a month or so ago. Tis very awesome news for me.

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  2. Yeah, the Ducks moving up that fast really astounded me! I was like, wait, I thought the Kings were further up - but I guess that last weekend really determined things.

    Either way, it should prove verye interesting in the Western Conference. I almost wonder if the pruning done on that side will wittle the better teams down and make it easier for an Eastern Conference team to advance...?

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