FINALS
Golden Knights vs. Capitals
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: Capitals in 5
Post-Series Thoughts: I've never been so glad to be wrong. I pulled for the Knights, but the Caps just showed up when it counted. They got phenomenal play from their goaltender, and Ovechkin just wanted this Cup more than anyone. He set the pace for his team, and while Kuznetsov played out of his mind, I think Ovechkin is the MVP of this year's playoffs, hands down (EDIT: this was written before the announcement of the Conn Smythe winner). Congratulations, Capitals!
Pre-Series Thoughts: I just have to go with the Knights. Their story is one of the coolest in sports not just this year, but for many years. As much as I'd love to finally see the Caps win the cup, it's hard not to root for the Knights. Not only that, but I genuinely think they are the stronger team. They're deeper and more consistent. I think Ovechkin could really step up, and if Holtby plays out of his mind like he did for a couple of games in the Conference Finals, this might go the distance. But I see the Knights taking this one.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions, Conference Finals
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Lightning vs. Capitals
My prediction: Lightning in 7
RESULT: Capitals in 7
Post-Series Thoughts: The Caps showed up big time, and at times it looked like the Lightning were coasting. Ovechkin was really a difference maker in this series, leading the way for his team to fight to game 7 and show the kind of leadership he's been lacking the past few years.
Pre-Series Thoughts: A huge part of me says that this is the Capitals' year. They finally slew their personal dragon in the Pens. But I have to go with the Lightning, for a few reasons. One is depth. They are deeper in forwards and defense. Plus the Lightning are healthier, whereas Washington has some injury question marks. Also the Caps have been through a couple of tough rounds, whereas the Lightning have coasted through two arguably better teams. I have to give the edge to the Lightning, but I think the Caps will make it a series.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden Knights vs. Jets
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: Knights in 5
Post-Series Thoughts: After game 1's blowout, I thought all of the analysts were right, and the Jets would take the series. And game 1 looked easy for them. But in the end, it was the Knights' depth and consistency and goaltending gave them the edge in the end. What a remarkable feat, to go from expansion team to Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural year. Impressive.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Jets showed they can compete with anyone, with their grit and determination, and on the back of phenomenal goaltending from Hellebuyck. But they are playing the NHL's best surprise team (and Cinderella story). The Knights are just too deep. They are also well rested after having dispatched their first two opponents in laughably easy fashion. While most analysts are picking the Jets, and I think they might steal a game or two, I think this series goes to the Knights.
Lightning vs. Capitals
My prediction: Lightning in 7
RESULT: Capitals in 7
Post-Series Thoughts: The Caps showed up big time, and at times it looked like the Lightning were coasting. Ovechkin was really a difference maker in this series, leading the way for his team to fight to game 7 and show the kind of leadership he's been lacking the past few years.
Pre-Series Thoughts: A huge part of me says that this is the Capitals' year. They finally slew their personal dragon in the Pens. But I have to go with the Lightning, for a few reasons. One is depth. They are deeper in forwards and defense. Plus the Lightning are healthier, whereas Washington has some injury question marks. Also the Caps have been through a couple of tough rounds, whereas the Lightning have coasted through two arguably better teams. I have to give the edge to the Lightning, but I think the Caps will make it a series.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden Knights vs. Jets
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: Knights in 5
Post-Series Thoughts: After game 1's blowout, I thought all of the analysts were right, and the Jets would take the series. And game 1 looked easy for them. But in the end, it was the Knights' depth and consistency and goaltending gave them the edge in the end. What a remarkable feat, to go from expansion team to Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural year. Impressive.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Jets showed they can compete with anyone, with their grit and determination, and on the back of phenomenal goaltending from Hellebuyck. But they are playing the NHL's best surprise team (and Cinderella story). The Knights are just too deep. They are also well rested after having dispatched their first two opponents in laughably easy fashion. While most analysts are picking the Jets, and I think they might steal a game or two, I think this series goes to the Knights.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions, Round 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Lightning vs. Bruins
My prediction: Lightning in 6
RESULT: LIGHTNING IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: After a relative blow-out by the Bruins in game 1, it was all Tampa the rest of the way. They found a way to win. Well done.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Lightning are just a little deeper, a lot faster, and have the edge. I wouldn't be surprised if this one goes the distance, but I think Tampa will take it.
Capitals vs. Penguins
My prediction: Capitals in 7
RESULT: CAPITALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: This was a pretty good matchup. And the officials absolutely did try to skew this in the Penguins' favor (the most disgusting example being Pittsburgh's 2nd goal in game one, which was the direct result of a "missed" call by the officials). But the Caps found a way. Great job.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is actually a pretty good matchup. I think the Capitals will dispatch the Pens, but it really is hard to discount the officials any time any team plays Pittsburgh. The NHL really seems to want its golden team back with a Cup win.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Predators vs. Jets
My prediction: Predators in 5
RESULT: JETS IN 7
Post-Series Thoughts: The Jets really surprised me (and everyone else). They won this series for two reasons: simple hard word, and Connor Hellebuyck. They simply outworked the Preds, who played well enough to win against most teams, but not well enough to beat a hard working Jets team that just wanted it more. Add Hellebuyck into the mix...who played out of his mind...and this is a really great win by the Jets.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Nashville is the best team in the NHL this year. The Avalanche put up a great fight, and they are a weaker team than the Jets. Yet I just can't see the Jets beating the Preds.
Golden Knights vs. Sharks
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: KNIGHTS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: This was a bizarre series. A couple of blowout games from both teams, and an equal number of tight one goal games. And it turned out pretty much how I expected.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Knights are arguably the only team that could be considered the best in the league next to the Preds, and though the Sharks rolled through round 1 in 4 games, so did the Knights. The Sharks may steal a game or two, but I think the Knights take it in 6.
Lightning vs. Bruins
My prediction: Lightning in 6
RESULT: LIGHTNING IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: After a relative blow-out by the Bruins in game 1, it was all Tampa the rest of the way. They found a way to win. Well done.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Lightning are just a little deeper, a lot faster, and have the edge. I wouldn't be surprised if this one goes the distance, but I think Tampa will take it.
Capitals vs. Penguins
My prediction: Capitals in 7
RESULT: CAPITALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: This was a pretty good matchup. And the officials absolutely did try to skew this in the Penguins' favor (the most disgusting example being Pittsburgh's 2nd goal in game one, which was the direct result of a "missed" call by the officials). But the Caps found a way. Great job.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is actually a pretty good matchup. I think the Capitals will dispatch the Pens, but it really is hard to discount the officials any time any team plays Pittsburgh. The NHL really seems to want its golden team back with a Cup win.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Predators vs. Jets
My prediction: Predators in 5
RESULT: JETS IN 7
Post-Series Thoughts: The Jets really surprised me (and everyone else). They won this series for two reasons: simple hard word, and Connor Hellebuyck. They simply outworked the Preds, who played well enough to win against most teams, but not well enough to beat a hard working Jets team that just wanted it more. Add Hellebuyck into the mix...who played out of his mind...and this is a really great win by the Jets.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Nashville is the best team in the NHL this year. The Avalanche put up a great fight, and they are a weaker team than the Jets. Yet I just can't see the Jets beating the Preds.
Golden Knights vs. Sharks
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: KNIGHTS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: This was a bizarre series. A couple of blowout games from both teams, and an equal number of tight one goal games. And it turned out pretty much how I expected.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Knights are arguably the only team that could be considered the best in the league next to the Preds, and though the Sharks rolled through round 1 in 4 games, so did the Knights. The Sharks may steal a game or two, but I think the Knights take it in 6.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions, Round 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Lightning (1) vs. Devils (WC2)
My prediction: Lightning in 4
RESULT: LIGHTNING IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: As expected, the Lighting just outmanned the Devils in just about every area. I'm actually surprised that Jersey stole a game. Well played, Tampa.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Lightning have the edge in almost every area. The only way I see Jersey pulling an upset is through the play of one person: Taylor Hall. He has been spectacular. If the Lightning find a way to even marginally shut him down, though, this series should be short.
Capitals (1) vs. Blue Jackets (WC1)
My prediction: Capitals in 5
RESULT: CAPITALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: The Jackets put up a good fight. A great fight, actually. And they should be proud of what they accomplished this year. They just met a superior team. The best news for them is that Bobrovsky played fantastic. He has gotten better every playoff series he has played, and he wasn't the reason they lost any of these games. That bodes well for the future. The Caps played some great hockey.
Pre-Series Thoughts: I just don't think the Jackets have the capital (see what I did there?) to compete against Washington, who is stronger is just about every area.
Penguins (2) vs Flyers (3)
My prediction: Flyers in 7
RESULT: OFFICIALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: It is INFURIATING playing the Penguins. It's not just the ridiculous calls that are made against the Flyers (there are plenty), it's the fact that the Penguins get away with a LUDICROUS amount of the exact same penalties that the Flyers are called for (plus a bunch more). It's absolutely disgusting. You should be ashamed, NHL. Ashamed. And it's not just the Flyers. A couple of years ago, I asked a friend here in Columbus (a huge Blue Jackets fan) who his least favorite team to play against was, and he said, "The Penguins. You have to play them AND the officials, every time." He's right.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Yes, I am biased, and yes I know the Flyers are huge underdogs in this series. And on paper, the Penguins should dominate this series, like they did the regular season series against the Flyers. But I'm going with my gut, and going out on a limb here. I believe the Flyers will show up in this series. They have shown they can play against anyone in the league when they play a full 60 minute effort. A lot hinges on Brian Elliott, so hopefully he is back to health. We'll also have to play against the officials, as every team always has to vs the Penguins.
Boston (2) vs. Toronto (3)
My prediction: Boston in 7
RESULT: BOSTON IN 7
Post-Series Thoughts: Toronto really gave Boston a run for their money, as I expected. But in the end, Boston's depth helped them prevail.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is a really close matchup. Toronto has been playing consistently great hockey lately. Boston has not. But overall Boston is deeper and I think if they come ready to play their best, they will take this series. But I don't think the Leafs will make it easy.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Predators (1) vs. Avalance (WC2)
My prediction: Predators in 4
RESULT: PREDATORS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: Colorado actually put up a great fight. Their fans should be proud of what they did. They just happened to end up playing the best team in the NHL.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Nashville is the best team in the NHL this year. The Avalanche barely squeaked into the playoffs. Enough said.
Golden Knights (1) vs. Kings (WC1)
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: KNIGHTS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't even close. The Kings only managed 3 goals in the entire series. Their experience really didn't help, and they looked lost and outmanned this entire series.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Knights are the surprise Cinderella story of all sports this year. An expansion team that ended up a #1 seed? And they deserve it. They have done really well, played great as a team. I don't think the Kings can hang, though they have lots of playoff experience and might steal a game or two.
Jets (2) vs. Wild (3)
My prediction: Jets in 7
RESULT: JETS IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't as long as I expected. The Jets came to play, and really had their way with the Wild through the whole series. Well done.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is actually a pretty good matchup, at least on paper. Hard to call this one, but I'm going with the Jets to pull it out in a long series.
Ducks (2) vs. Sharks (3)
My prediction: Ducks in 5
RESULT: SHARKS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This was an exercise in complete domination and perhaps the first real stunner of 2018. 4 goals for the Ducks in the entire series, and they got completely shellacked 8-1 in game 3. No contest here.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Ducks rolled into the playoffs with a 10-1-1 record. Also, Ryan Miller hasn't won in the postseason for quite a while, and the Sharks limped into the playoffs. I think this series could go longer, but I'm guessing the Ducks get out in 5.
Lightning (1) vs. Devils (WC2)
My prediction: Lightning in 4
RESULT: LIGHTNING IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: As expected, the Lighting just outmanned the Devils in just about every area. I'm actually surprised that Jersey stole a game. Well played, Tampa.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Lightning have the edge in almost every area. The only way I see Jersey pulling an upset is through the play of one person: Taylor Hall. He has been spectacular. If the Lightning find a way to even marginally shut him down, though, this series should be short.
Capitals (1) vs. Blue Jackets (WC1)
My prediction: Capitals in 5
RESULT: CAPITALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: The Jackets put up a good fight. A great fight, actually. And they should be proud of what they accomplished this year. They just met a superior team. The best news for them is that Bobrovsky played fantastic. He has gotten better every playoff series he has played, and he wasn't the reason they lost any of these games. That bodes well for the future. The Caps played some great hockey.
Pre-Series Thoughts: I just don't think the Jackets have the capital (see what I did there?) to compete against Washington, who is stronger is just about every area.
Penguins (2) vs Flyers (3)
My prediction: Flyers in 7
RESULT: OFFICIALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: It is INFURIATING playing the Penguins. It's not just the ridiculous calls that are made against the Flyers (there are plenty), it's the fact that the Penguins get away with a LUDICROUS amount of the exact same penalties that the Flyers are called for (plus a bunch more). It's absolutely disgusting. You should be ashamed, NHL. Ashamed. And it's not just the Flyers. A couple of years ago, I asked a friend here in Columbus (a huge Blue Jackets fan) who his least favorite team to play against was, and he said, "The Penguins. You have to play them AND the officials, every time." He's right.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Yes, I am biased, and yes I know the Flyers are huge underdogs in this series. And on paper, the Penguins should dominate this series, like they did the regular season series against the Flyers. But I'm going with my gut, and going out on a limb here. I believe the Flyers will show up in this series. They have shown they can play against anyone in the league when they play a full 60 minute effort. A lot hinges on Brian Elliott, so hopefully he is back to health. We'll also have to play against the officials, as every team always has to vs the Penguins.
Boston (2) vs. Toronto (3)
My prediction: Boston in 7
RESULT: BOSTON IN 7
Post-Series Thoughts: Toronto really gave Boston a run for their money, as I expected. But in the end, Boston's depth helped them prevail.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is a really close matchup. Toronto has been playing consistently great hockey lately. Boston has not. But overall Boston is deeper and I think if they come ready to play their best, they will take this series. But I don't think the Leafs will make it easy.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Predators (1) vs. Avalance (WC2)
My prediction: Predators in 4
RESULT: PREDATORS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: Colorado actually put up a great fight. Their fans should be proud of what they did. They just happened to end up playing the best team in the NHL.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Nashville is the best team in the NHL this year. The Avalanche barely squeaked into the playoffs. Enough said.
Golden Knights (1) vs. Kings (WC1)
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: KNIGHTS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't even close. The Kings only managed 3 goals in the entire series. Their experience really didn't help, and they looked lost and outmanned this entire series.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Knights are the surprise Cinderella story of all sports this year. An expansion team that ended up a #1 seed? And they deserve it. They have done really well, played great as a team. I don't think the Kings can hang, though they have lots of playoff experience and might steal a game or two.
Jets (2) vs. Wild (3)
My prediction: Jets in 7
RESULT: JETS IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't as long as I expected. The Jets came to play, and really had their way with the Wild through the whole series. Well done.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is actually a pretty good matchup, at least on paper. Hard to call this one, but I'm going with the Jets to pull it out in a long series.
Ducks (2) vs. Sharks (3)
My prediction: Ducks in 5
RESULT: SHARKS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This was an exercise in complete domination and perhaps the first real stunner of 2018. 4 goals for the Ducks in the entire series, and they got completely shellacked 8-1 in game 3. No contest here.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Ducks rolled into the playoffs with a 10-1-1 record. Also, Ryan Miller hasn't won in the postseason for quite a while, and the Sharks limped into the playoffs. I think this series could go longer, but I'm guessing the Ducks get out in 5.
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