It’s Day 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. For the sheer amusement of dear readers, my predictions along with those of some trusted colleagues:
Eastern Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Capitals over No. 8 Rangers in 5 games
No. 7 Sabres over No. 2 Flyers in 6 games
No. 3 Bruins over No. 6 Canadiens in 5 games
No. 4 Penguins over No. 5 Lightning in 7 games
Western conference quarterfinals
No. 8 Blackhawks over No. 1 Canucks in 6 games
No. 2 Sharks over No. 7 Kings in 6 games
No. 6 Coyotes over No. 3 Red Wings in 6 games
No. 4 Ducks over No. 5 Predators in 7 games
Stanley Cup Final
No. 4 Ducks over No. 3 Bruins in 6 games
Playoff MVP: Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks
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Craig Custance, Sporting News
Eastern Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Capitals over No. 8 Rangers in 5 games
No. 2 Flyers over No. 7 Sabers in 7 games
No. 3 Bruins over No. 6 Canadiens in 6 games
No. 5 Lightning over No. 4 Penguins in 7 games
Western Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Canucks over No. 8 Blackhawks in 6 games
No. 2 Sharks over No. 7 Kings in 4 games
No. 6 Coyotes over No. 3 Red Wings in 7 games
No. 4 Ducks over No. 5 Predators in 7 games
Stanley Cup Final
No. 1 Canucks over No. 2 Flyers in 7 games
Playoff MVP: Ryan Kesler, Canucks
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Nicholas Cotsonika of Yahoo! Sports
Eastern Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Capitals over No. 8 Rangers in 6 games
No. 7 Sabres over No. 2 Flyers in 7 games
No. 3 Bruins over No. 3 Canadiens in 5 games
No. 5 Lightning over No. 4 Penguins in 6 games
Western Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Canucks over No. 8 Blackhawks in 6 games
No. 2 Sharks over No. 7 Kings in 5 games
No. 3 Red Wings over No. 6 Coyotes in 6 games
No. 5 Predators over No. 4 Ducks in 7 games
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Bucky Gleason, Buffalo News
Eastern Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Capitals over No. 8 Rangers in 5 games
No. 7 Sabres over No. 2 Flyers in 6 games
No. 3 Bruins over No. 6 Canadiens in 5 games
No. 4 Penguins over No. 5 Lightning in 7 games
“Hey, exactly the same there, games and all,” Gleason said. “FYI: You agreeing with me is bad for you.”
Western Conference quarterfinals
No. 1 Canucks over No. 5 Blackhawks in 5 games
No. 2 Sharks over No. 7 Kings in 6 games
No. 6 Coyotes over No. 3 Red Wings in 6 games
No. 4 Ducks over No. 5 Predators in 6 games
Stanley Cup Final
No. 1 Canucks over No. 3 Bruins
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I can envision the Pens going to the finals by going 7 games at each stage. Only 1 team in the NHL had more wins than the Pens. Nobody seems to be impressed with the Pens over that. They could have easily packed it in, especially after Malkin went down. The Bylsma effect is huge – this team also had the fewest total losses in the East. There is something to be said for those and I believe the Pens will make the finals and could be the surprise to win it all. Writers are too focused on offense. Defense wins championships.
Al, playing 28 games in the playoffs takes an enormous toll, too much. There’s never been a team who won the cup that’s gone to 7 games in each series for a reason.
Teams need a reprieve in there to rest and heal. There needs to be a short series somewhere in there, preferably going into the finals (’09 sweep against the Hurricanes).
Al, wake up…wake up…
When Crosby and Malkin along with Letestu, Kunitz, Asham, Tangradi, etc were down for a stretch in February, everyone expected the Pens to pack it in. The best example of the attitude on this team lies in what Mike Rupp said recently:
Big Al, the pens had 10 shootout wins to balloon their total. They’ll need to score an actual goal in OT to win in the playoffs and that will be difficult to do without Sid. I think they CAN make a deep run but it’s going to be tough for them to score. They cant win 4 long series w/ 1-0, 2-1 games. Too many bounces to count on and too much to ask overall
I believe the Penguins will win the 1st round in 7 games, shorter would be better but Tampa Bay has always played tough against the Penguins. It would be nice to see someone lose above the Penguins so they can get home ice for the 2nd round. They will need it because Brooks Orpik is due back and after being suspended for 14 games and the 1st round of playoffs I imagine he’s probably going to try and hurt the 1st poor soul he sees with their head down and put the Penguins in the hole again against the power play. If the Penguins keep Orpik on the bench and do not let him play, the Penguins will win the Stanley Cup. They are playing winning hockey without 2 of their Superstars and 1 of their Idiots, this team has alot more superstars than the management realizes and they deserve the Stanley Cup. GO PENGUINS, PGH loves you.