This Stanley Cup playoff opening round is gonna be a good'n. A total of 5 Canadian teams will be competing, the playoffs haven't had this much beaver since 02.
Montreal and Ottawa are squaring off, and that series is completely up in the air. Barring any more injuries, I think the Habs take this one in 7. Both teams are red hot, but you can never bet against Carey Price.
I hope Tampa destroys Detroit, but it is Detroit so you know that won't be happening. I do give this to Tampa in 6 however, only because the magic man Datsyuk is showing his age, and I don't think he alone could carry the series like he once could.
Rangers and Pens is a series I couldn't care less about, but I hope the Rangers have their way with Pittsburgh. New York has so much talent up and down the roster, NYR should take this in 6.
Same thing applies to Washington and the Isles. Another match-up that could go either way, but I say Caps in 5. Solely because I had Halak in net in NHL15 and he couldn't stop a beach ball if he were an entirely brick wall.
In the west we have two teams that are just frustrating as all hell to play against, the Winnipeg Jets and the Anaheim Ducks. This is the sexy pick for an upset, but for some reason I don't think it'll happen. Anaheim is so big and so fast, they just attack you in endless waves. I give it to Anaheim in 7.
Another Canadian match-up between Vancouver and Calgary looks to be a heated one. Calgary has the heart of a lion, so I say Flames in 6.
Blues in 6 because screw the Wild.
Finally, we have the Preds and Hawks. It was just reported big UFA Vermette will be a game 1 healthy scratch. Not a great sign. Hawks are touched by the playoff Gods though, I bet Hawks in 6.
Cup Finalist: St. Louis Blues
Winner: Montreal Canadiens
Conn Smythe: Carey Price
It's incredible how the lowest amount of points this year is 97. Playoff bound clubs in today's game have their skilled players spread throughout the roster. Gone are the days of the goon. Players need to be more that scrappers and shot blockers, which is why Patrick Roy scares the hell out of me. He's openly praised the work of Nate Guenin and Brad Stuart, who are possibly two of the worst defenders in the league. Bigras, Geertson and Siemens seem poised to crack the opening night roster, so I vote we ditch the dead weight and open up cap space and playing opportunities. I hope Roy looks long and hard at some breakout plays and studies how the "pros" do it (Chicago, St. Louis, ...)If the Avs end up drafting a forward with their #1 pick, they need to go for a big goal scorer. Avs have guys who can set up the plays, but they need somebody other than Iggy/Landy who can bury a puck and wreak havoc in front of the net. Trading up in the draft wouldn't be such a bad idea, this year is supposed to be one of the most talented crop in a long time.
Brian
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