T-Bill:
I finally took the time to read this entire thread, and I appreciate the little dig thrown my way. Thanks for thinking of me man
. Are we gonna make another wager should our clubs meet, or do you wanna bet on something playoff related regardless of whether or not the Wings and Canucks square off?
Earth:
How can you say a Finals series between Detroit and anyone would stink? Is that because the Wings have been so dominating in the Finals of late? I hope so, because they do
NOT play a boring, trapping brand of hockey like several other teams in this year's playoffs.
Some quick thoughts before my first predictions -- in which I performed very well last year, Carolina aside.
** I canot believe the Canucks got beat 2-0 at home yesterday with a division title on the line
.
** I'm still shocked (and annoyed) that Colorado managed to overtake Vancouver.
** It bothers me that the Wings and Avs might meet in the second round this year. When they face-off, it should always be for a trip to the Cup Final IMO
.
** Nobody in the East scares any of the top four teams in the West, except maybe Toronto should Belfour get hot. New Jersey and Tampa Bay lack scoring; Ottawa has yet to prove they can adjust to the grind of playoff hockey; Philly has too many questions marks; and the rest aren't worth mentioning in detail.
My predictions for the first round:
The West
-- Dallas will beat Edmonton in five. I don't care how close these matchups have been in the past. Those deadline trades hurt the Oilers too much to keep this series.
-- Detroit over the Ducks in five...maybe four. There is no reason to believe Anaheim can compete with the Wings.
-- Minnesota's tough, gritty style will help them eke out two wins against Colorado. Avs in six.
-- Vancouver shall awaken from its regular season stretch collapse and triumph over the Blues in six or seven.
The East
-- The Sens have way too much firepower for the Isles. Ottawa in five games, with several very lopsided victories among them.
-- The Bruins just looked out of sync all year, and I'm not sure it was just the injuries. Brodeur and New Jersey in six, maybe five.
-- Despite being relatively new to the playoffs, Tampa Bay will continue its solid season by ousting the Caps in six or seven.
-- Toronto played like Vancouver down the stretch -- erratically, and occasionally without inspiration. Like the Canucks, I think the Leafs will turn things around with a first round series win, say in seven games.
At least, that's what this hasty Ent thinks
, and
GO WINGS!!!
