Playoff Update.

Well with the playoffs still going on, and a lot of series pretty tight. Lets do a quick week recap.

First the pens swept the Senators.

This was obvious, the Sens were coming in super weak. And the Pens were playing strong. No one was picking this series to go long. But it was important for the Pens to look strong. Get Fleury going and just get more rest before a much tougher series, probably against the Rangers. Who won't go down very easy.

Next the Rangers made quick work of the Devils.

After 3 games going scoreless our boy Drury finished with 3 points in 2 games. Maybe hes finally getting back in line. They don't pay him to have as many points as Giradi. But the Devils aren't what they use to be. Brodeur is nearing the end and the talent isn't there anymore on the blue line. They need a couple years to build younger talent, or they will be a playoff team, but a first round knockout every year.

The Flyers are leading the Caps 3-1.

This is kinda of a surprise to me. Since I didn't think Philly could control the young and fast Caps. But the Caps aren't playing with that Playoff push. It seems the Flyers did what they had to to get into the playoffs and then turned it up a notch. Briere, Carter and Prospal are all playing well. Especially our boy danny who is scoring almost 2 points a game in this series. He has 5 goals already. Maybe the contract is paying off?

The Canadiens are holding a lead over the Bruins.

I left the B's out for dead on Thursday night. In Montreal on the brink of elimination, they came back and won 5-1. That is a troubling sign for the Canadiens. You need the killer instinct in the playoffs. Sure they could accomplish that in Boston later tonight, but what happens when they play a better team. The Flyers are very good right now. Montreal is good, but I don't know if they have that finishing touch they need.

In the series the road team can't win, Wings lead 3-2 over Preds.

Detroit looked to be running away with it, then Nashville came home and tied it, now Detroit wins in OT at home last night. Does that mean Nashville has nothing left? Who knows. The Preds are filled with Vets who won't just lay down for the Swedish all stars from Detroit. But I see the Wings eventually getting out of round 1.

Sharks holding a slim lead.

The Sharks were another one of those "hot" teams coming in. But the Flames have cooled them a bit. But it seems like Marleau and the boys have regained their swagger in winning the last 2 games. But heading into Calgary tonight won't be a easy game. The Flames will lay everything they have. But I think San Jose is too deep to lose 2 in a row. Sharks in 7

There series I don't care about.

Thats unfair to both the Wild and Avalanche, but I really don't. Maybe if I watched the first couple games that went into OT, my mind might be different. But the 'Lanche hold a 3-2 lead with the series heading to Denver tonight. Colorado looks like the old Colorado with Sakic, Foote and Forsberg leading the way along with a bunch of kids and the Corpse of Theodore. I don't think the Wild is that good, so Lanche finish off the boys from the Twin Cities tonight.

Looks like the Champs are on the ropes.

The Ducks stayed alive last night in the Pond, but I think they are done on Sunday in Dallas. Marty Turco is on a mission this year and I predict he'll pull a shutout. And with the Ducks only having 12 goals in 5 games, and 5 of those came last night. Thats not a hard prediction. Gigure is not Jiggy like so far with a Sv% of .901 and a GAA of 3.20. Without solid goaltending the Ducks aren't very good. Stars advance. GO STU BARNES!!!

Eastern Conference First Round Preview

1) Montreal vs 8) Boston

Well Montreal goes from just missing the playoffs to placing first in the conference. Montreal is a very steady team, with balanced scoring and a steady defense, though have given up 222 goals on the season. That might play a role later in the playoffs, but with the offensively challenged Bruins, will not matter. The only real question is how Carey Price is going to hold up to playoff pressure in Montreal. But he has been in pressure packed situations his entire career, so this is what he wants. This is a mercy killing

Habs in 4.




2) Pittsburgh vs 7) Ottawa

The Senators lucked out it wasn't a 90 game schedule, because they might have missed the playoffs. The Senators were world beaters to start the season. But soon their shaky goaltending and one line, proved their undoing. They run into a young, up coming Penguins team. Key number 247. Thats how many goals Pittsburgh scored, and how many goals Ottawa gave up on the year. I don't see this lasting long, it will be an opposite of last years first round result

Pittsburgh in 5.

3) Washington vs 6) Philadelphia

Mmm, interesting matchup. One would say hey the Caps have been on fire. And they'll continue their hot streak. But they are going against a team, that does have playoff experience. Though the goaltending matchup is even in my book. I think the Caps are the hot pick, and aren't that high on the Flyers. The flyers have been battling injuries of late and Danny Briere might actually feel its time to show up. I was thinking of picking the Flyers as my upset, but I did a little digging and they are 2-2 vs the Capitals this year. And have gotten much better vs the Atlantic as the year went on. So its close, but fun.

Capitals in 7.




4) Devils vs 5) Rangers

Well its the series that I'll avoid. Two low scoring teams, who like to collapse, facing off in a media capital? Yeah no thanks. Plus all the Chris "clutch" Drury stuff along with it. Ugh. Well the Devils aren't what they use to be in the playoffs. Since Scott Stevens retired. The Rangers are a wily bunch who have good young talent, mixed with experienced forwards. The playoffs are why the Rangers went after Drury and Gomez. So I'll go along with big blue.

Rangers in 6.

So there you have it the first round predictions, we'll have Montreal, Pittsburgh, Washington and the Rangers moving along. Lets see how I do.