Sharks Hockey Analysis

First Round Predictions

I loved seeing Joe Thornton throw bombs at Ott yesterday. I didn’t care that we lost 4-2, we never would have lost if Rivet, Grier, JR, and Ehrhoff had been in the lineup.

Here are my first round predictions, and I’m sure Mike will follow suit later today. I’m pretty pissed off about the Sharks playoff schedule. I don’t like the back-to-back Game 1 and 2, but looking at the HP Pavilion schedule loaded with Sabercats games and concerts, there really was no other choice.

THE EAST
(1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston - They played eight times this year. The Habs won all eight. Not much to say here, Boston is easy picking for the Habs in Round One. Won’t be close. Montreal in four.

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (7) Ottawa - The Penguins could not have been thrilled to draw the Ottawa Senators in the first round. Sort of like how the Sharks probably feel the Flames aren’t much of a reward for finishing #2 in the conference - but I digress. This would be the best series in Round One if both teams were healthy, but no Fisher and no Alfredsson means good times for Crosby/Malkin and Co. The over/under for all games should be like seven. Pittsburgh in six.

(3) Washington vs. (6) Philadelphia - This will be the best series in Round One with two teams both riding high. The Flyers are 7-2-1 in their last ten, the Caps 9-1-0. It’s going to be physical and fun, but it all will come down to goaltending in the end - and the edge has to go to Huet. I think Penguins/Capitals in Round Two will have TV executives and fans of the game drooling in anticipation. Washington in seven.

(4) New Jersey vs. (5) NY Rangers - The Rangers have owned the Devils this season, winning seven out of eight games. I’m not a fan of this Devils team, they aren’t as talented or capable of making a long playoff run. Brodeur will manage to steal one game, but the Rangers should roll. New York in five.

THE WEST
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Nashville - The Preds haven’t proven they can succeed in April, but this is a slightly different roster that plays more blue-collar without Kariya, which is just the type of team that could give the Wings fits. No one expected Nashville to make the playoffs except for Nashville. Detroit will look rusty, possibly drop Game 1 and 2, but in the end, the Wings are just too good, and will claw back to take the series. Detroit in six.

(2) San Jose vs. (7) Calgary - If you are a regular reader, and if you are, god bless you - then you know I was dreading this potential first round foe. I think Calgary is going to give the Sharks everything they can handle and more, and they will be confident with Kipper in the pipes. This will be a dogfight and if the Sharks are going to win the Cup, their road starts rough. Several of the experts are already pointing their fingers at this series as a potential upset but San Jose is too skilled and primed to overcome their postseason demons. Calgary has sputtered down the stretch and given up too many goals this year to hang with the Sharks in the long run. San Jose in six.

(3) Minnesota vs. (6) Colorado - The Old vs. The Boring. You couldn’t catch me watching a game of this series on Center Ice….okay,okay - I’m a whore for hockey. I will probably watch - but I won’t like it! Minnesota has no answer for the magic prunes consumed in the Avs dressing room - I’ll be rooting for the Wild but the Avs are destined to face the Wings in Round Two. Here’s hoping Forsberg ruptures something. Colorado in five.

(4) Anaheim vs. (5) Dallas - The Stars had great success vs. Anaheim this year, taking five out of eight, but I just don’t think the series is going to be that interesting. The Ducks know how to show up when it matters and Dallas showed on Sunday that they may try to play physical but their tough guy Ott got his ass kicked by Thunder Joe. No Zubov + Turco choking in the nets again = Anaheim in five.

Even though their paths may be the most difficult, could the stars be alligning for a Pittsburgh/San Jose Stanley Cup??