and then there were four...
Round 2 made the Bosher look like a prophet... depending on your perspective I guess. You see, I called the Pens, Wings, and Hawks, to win their series in 7, 7, and 6 games respectively. Impressive no? Well it would have been had the Bruins taken care of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 5 games I provided them. Sadly, this was not to be, and Hurricane forward Scott Walker punched home the game winner late in first OT of their game 7 matchup.
The Blackhawks young guns were way too much for the Canucks, and more importantly Roberto Luongo. Luongo looked incredibly ordinary in this playoff series, allowing over 20 goals. There has been much talk in the media of late that he may have damaged his chances for being selected as a member of Team Canada for the Oympics in 2010... which would be a blow to him considering the Winter Games will be held in Vancouver.
The Red Wings and Ducks series was perhaps the best of the second round. Truly both clubs were evenly matched and it took the Wings 7 very rough games to knock off the Ducks. What is up Johan Franzen? The Wings forward is perhaps the greatest playoff performer ever. In 12 playoff games this year he has already collected 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) and is a solid +13. He's already matched his playoff output from last year. This guy is amazing.
The Penguins and Capitals met in what was the most highly anticipated series of the playoffs which was like watching a prize fight between their two superstars. Up until the final game, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin both put on a show. Ovechkin is like watching a real life version of NHL 93... he does that same move almost everytime... and virtually scores every time. Even when you know it's coming, he still puts the puck in the net. Sidney Crosby was able to match Ovechkin's output and also makes everyone around him better, whether it be from setting up scores, or inspiring his teammates to play harder. In the end, the Penguins finally broke through rookie Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov and routed their opponents 6-2.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Having entered the playoffs as one of the leagues hottest clubs, the Carolina Hurricanes have continued their great play and knocked off the the first and third seeds in the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. There success has been backstopped by the incredible goaltending of Cam Ward.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a mission. Having lost in the Stanley Cup Finals just a year ago to the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins are just four wins away from a second try for the NHL Championship.
Sometimes it takes a monumental loss for a club to learn what it really takes to win the Cup. The Penguins know what is at stake. For that matter, so do the Hurricanes as former Stanley Cup Champions. However I think it is the Penguins turn, and Sidney Crosby will continue to find a way to will his team to the Finals.
Playoff Beard Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have been riding a hot streak in the playoffs and riding their young superstars Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane. They've received solid goaltending from their Stanley Cup Champ netminder Nikolai Khabibulin and veteran support from likes of Martin Havlat and Brian Campbell. They now face their biggest challenge of the playoffs thus far in the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings are coming off a very physical 7 game series against the Ducks, but should be more than ready for the Blackhawks. As hot as the Hawks are, I don't think they have much of a chance against the Wings. As I write this Detroit has already taken a 1-0 series lead after defeating Chicago this afternoon 5-2.
The Blackhawks are about to see what a real playoff contender looks like in the Red Wings (no offense Vancouver and Calgary).
Playoff Beard Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in 5 games.
Here's a little shout out to one of my playoff beard faithful (Greg) who made a pretty cool video for the Detroit Red Wings.... Enjoy!
Enjoy the Conference Finals everyone!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Nice video!
It's funny, I just the other day described a loss I had in NHL 09 online to a friend as getting NHL 93'd by Ovechkin. I didn't make the connection to the real Ovechkin until now, but you're exactly right - I can't tell you how frustrating it was as a Pens fan to watch him score a one timer on the power play. Because you know it's coming. And I'm sure the Pens knew it too. But god almighty you just can't stop it!! He's ridiculous. And yet, like Jagr, the only way you contain him is to unleash Hal Gill on him. Thank God for Hal Gill (and Rob Scuderi)...
I like your predictions but I can go either way in the East. I think the Pens must get a better performance from Fleury to win the next round. No one really seemed to stop watching Crosby and Ovechkin to notice that Fleury gave up at least one weird, odd, bad, or just untimely goal in nearly every game. Even in game 7 when they were up 5 to 0 he couldn't help but give up that awful goal to Ovechkin! I'm telling you, if Fleury doesn't steal at least one game this series the Hurricanes will be very difficult to beat.
Hawks looked inconsistent today. Detroit gave them a lot of chances and they couldn't put the puck in the net. They'll be better in Chicago, but if they can't stop Johan Franzen it's going to be a short series. And the thought of the Red Wings even making the cup finals again is enough to make me want stick my face in a blender. They need to be stopped NOW. (Sorry, Greg)
Posted by: Stache | May 17, 2009 11:30 PM
To be fair, bosh, you have to remember that Franzen spent the majority of rounds three and four out with a concussion last year, so he didn't get a chance to fully capitalize on his insane playoffs.
You want to know who's been impressing me the most in the last three games or so? Dan Cleary. He's gotten some CLUTCH goals, goals he had no buissiness scoring.
After what I saw today I'm really at a loss to guess this series. If the blackhawks play as well as they did in the first 40 minutes it'll go to the wire. But if they let the wings get away from them like they did today they'll be hardpressed to even reach five games...
I'm also very curious about how the penguins will react to playing Carolina. I don't know much about them, since I never see them, except when they're giving schizofrenic playoff performances like they have this year. Still, any team with Eric Staal has to have something going for it. And Cam Ward is no slouch in net--he's been playing well, I've heard.
Stache...
At risk of sounding compeletly arrogant (which I don't intend to) I think the ducks might have been the only team who COULD have stopped the wings. I just don't think any other team could beat the wings 4x out of 7.
Detroit's secondary scoring is so good that I'm not sure anybody can keep up--even high power offenses like Pittsburgh and Chicago. The one real weakness was goaltending, but Osgood has been more than up to the task so far.
Posted by: jeff | May 18, 2009 02:16 AM
Jeff,
I don't think that's arrogant at all. They are the defending champs, after all. What you call "confidence" in your team is the same feeling I call "impending doom." I utterly loathe the thought of the Wings winning yet another Cup. Do you know who my two favorite teams in the league are? Pittsburgh and Carolina. Do you remember who the Wings have beaten in the finals to win their last two cups? That's right, Pittsburgh and Carolina. The thought of them beating either one of my teams to win the Cup once more makes me think that this is what it must be like to be a Cubs fan.
I almost would prefer some other two teams to be in the conference finals knowing that Detroit is out there looking like champs. The only consolation is the thought that BEATING Detroit would feel that much greater than beating any other team...
I'm not ready to hand Detroit the crown just yet, but I admit it will be an uphill battle for any team to beat them. And I don't think the answer is in keeping up with Detroit's secondary scoring threats, but instead has to start with reducing their puck possession. That goal by Adam Burrish yesterday showed what can happen when you apply a good forecheck against the Wings. The problem is you have to sustain that for three entire periods and four entire games. It's a difficult task for any team, but not an impossible one. If the Blackhawks can keep applying pressure and getting on the power play I actually like their chances to make it a long series. But they just can't take a period off. They'll either figure that out or they'll be playing golf next week.
Posted by: Stache | May 18, 2009 09:16 AM
It's hard to bet against the Wings... they are essentially the same team that won the Cup last year... except now they have Hossa.
I do agree with Jeff that the only team capable of stopping them were the Ducks. However, I think the Penguins are going to find a way in the Finals this year.
I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but ever since Hossa and Conklin left for land of milk and honey, I had a feeling these clubs were gonna face off again. Talk about a nightmare for Hossa...
No offense to the Canes and Hawks... who now that I have fully overlooked them will end up meeting in the finals...
Posted by: Bosh | May 18, 2009 03:54 PM