In part two of my playoff predictions, I'm going to give you the low down out west. Although the east may have the star power and traditional rivalries, the west will feature four series with just as much promise.
(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks
The Sharks have had a magical regular season under new coach, and former assistant coach with Detroit, Todd McLellan. Led by an active defense and a strong puck possession attack that strongly resembles that of Detroit, the Sharks put together a 117 point campaign. They possess one of the best offensive defenseman in the league, and a cup winner, in Dan Boyle. Joe Thornton is arguably the most dominant player in the game when he gets the puck on his stick down low. Patrick Marleau has thus far answered his critics after a previous season in which he had many crying for his dismissal as team captain.
But, quite frankly, who cares?
Despite three seasons of 99, 107, and 108 points since the lock-out, the Sharks have been chronic playoff underachievers. Three consecutive exits in the conference semi-finals. Three terrific seasons and zero conference final appearances.
If their past playoff demons aren’t enough to deal with, they were dealt another blow when it was determined that they would play the Ducks. Anaheim has been on a roll to end the season, going 7-2-1. Scott Niedermayer is playing at the Norris Trophy level we’ve all come to expect, and Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Calder candidate Bobby Ryan comprise an imposing top line.
This sure-to-be physical series boils down to three things:
1. Will Jonas Hiller be able to match-up efficiently vs. Evgeni Nabokov?
2. Can Anaheim get secondary scoring?
3. Will Anaheim stay out of the box?
I think Hiller has a bright future. In this series, he doesn’t need to outplay Nabokov, necessarily, just play sound hockey. Andrew Ebbett and Teemu Selanne need to match or atleast somewhat negate the scoring exploits of the Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe unit.
But most importantly, the Ducks need to stay out of the box. They tend to take stupid penalties, start pissing matches with the stripes, and then take more bad penalties…especially versus a quick team like San Jose. I personally feel they sometimes get the short-end of the stick…but that comes with the territory.
At the end of the day, the Sharks are just too much. If the Sharks are smart, they will lay the body on Niedermayer and Pronger, the Ducks’ minute-munchers, and never relent.
Prediction: Sharks in 6
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs. (7) Columbus Blue Jackets
Well, it only took 8 seasons and the year of the lock-out, but the Jackets’ faithful will finally be part of the NHL playoffs. Think about some of the things that have happened since the Jackets’ inception in 2000:
- The Red Wings won the Central Division…every season.
- Tiger Woods won 51 events and 12 majors.
- George W. Bush systematically destroyed America.
- Each Member of the pop-group “Hanson” married their significant other.
But those days are behind us. Rick Nash and potential Calder Winner Steve Mason have been the driving force behind Ken Hitchcock’s resurgence project. They possess a defense that is much greater than the sum of its parts, and a defensive system that frustrates the heck out of its opposition.
Detroit frustrates its opponents, as well, but for a multitude of reasons. To start with, they always have the puck. In the new NHL, puck possession is key. With two-way studs like Pavel
Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Marian Hossa, and a back-line that features perennial Norris Trophy Winner Nicklas Lidstrom, along with Brian Rafalski and Niklas
Kronwall, Detroit will force the play and capitalize off of turnovers.
The one aspect of the Wings game which has and should be ridiculed is the goaltending. Chris Osgood and Ty Conklin have not performed this season (understatement). Had the Wings had even a slightly below average stopper in net this season, they could’ve won 65 games.
What should be most worrisome for the Jackets is how they, and most importantly, Steve Mason, performed down the stretch. Mason has shown signs of fatigue, while the team has given up more quality chances than they have all season. It is also clear that opposing teams have solved Mason...atleast to an extent (for the record, you should be looking high blocker). If the Jackets are to advance, the play of Antoine Vermette and R.J. Umberger will have a lot to do with it. They both have the intangibles to be playoff performers, something Umberger has already proven.
The Jackets have had an inspiring season, but it comes to an end here. They can’t score on the power-play, and the Wings are just too good five-on-five.
Prediction: Red Wings in 5.
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) St. Louis Blues
Raise your hand if you had the 'Nucks winning the Northwest Division and the Blues making the playoffs at the beginning of the season. Okay, now raise your hand if you had the 'Nucks winning the Northwest Division and the Blues making the playoffs a month ago. No, still no takers?
These two teams come absolutely scorching into the playoffs. I'm talking about Michael Jackson "Thriller" scorching. Like, hot, really hot. Get the picture?
Vancouver's leading scorers (the Sedins), top-flight goalie (Bobby Lu), and solid defense has done a quality job...but they aren't the reason the Canucks finished as high in the standings as they did. The play of Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler is what has propelled the Canucks into the 3-hole in the west. Vancouver management expected a solid defensive and gritty style of play from the former line-mates, and maybe some timely scoring.
They've gotten that and a whole lot more.
54 goals. 110 points. Not bad from two guys that were suppose to be your checkers, eh? Burrows has complimented the Sedins perfectly, while Kesler has done the same with Mats Sundin and Pavol Demitra.
While Columbus is an excellent story, the true Cinderella of the '09 Playoffs is undoubtedly the St. Louis Blues. These guys were decimated by injuries (Erik Johnson, Paul Kariya, Eric Brewer, Andy McDonald just to name a few), sitting in last place, dead last, out west as late as January!
On January 19th, they were able to score two goals with under a minute left in regulation to tie the Bruins. They proceeded to win in a shootout.
They never looked back.
Due in large part to the steady play of Nashville cast-off Chris Mason, the emergence of rookie T.J. Oshie, and the unspectacular but steady play of defensemen such as Barret Jackman, the Blues have scratched and clawed their way to the best record in the NHL since that win versus the Bruins.
There are character guys left and right in this series, so you know both teams will bring their hard helmets and lunch pails.
These questions will determine who wins this battle of wills:
1. Can Chris Mason continue to play well in the playoffs?
2. Will Barret Jackman shut-down the twins?
3. Can St. Louis's rookies adapt to the high-tempo, grueling style that the playoffs offers?
I'd say yes, somewhat, and yes and no. Follow?
Mason's play has been strong ever since he took the reigns from Manny Legace, and I see no reason for that to change now. He's got a steady-as-they-go defense in front of him, and his confidence has to be at an all-time high.
Jackman has his hands full with the Sedin line. Some people think the Sedins aren't playoff performers...questionable. For me, the jury is still out. But, I will say I don't think the Sedins will shy away from the physical presence of the Blues. They will come ready to play.
Ah, and the Blues's rookies. Perron, Berglund, and Oshie. These guys will need to produce if the Blues are to advance. I know Oshie will be ready. Think of Zach Parise meets Dougy Gilmour (in his prime) with a more defensive and less offensive twist. Oshie is a stud, and he already plays the point on the top power-play unit to go along with some special skills on the penalty-kill. I really like Perron and Berglund...but I'm not sure if they are ready to shine on the big stage just yet.
If Kariya comes back for the playoffs, that will give the Blues a huge boost. Don't forget how well this guy started the season.
This one will be rough and tough. But, hey, when it's close, it always helps to have Roberto Luongo between the pipes for your side.
Prediction: Canucks in 7
(4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Calgary Flames
Chicago's new darling, meet Calgary's favorite head-ache.
In a series of two very different teams, it's hard to know where to start. The Hawks possess a young and talented team, which has been well documented in the media. Toews and Kane, Kane and Toews. We get it.
But there are three players at three different positions that have really been the difference for Chi-town this season. These players are Martin Havlat, whose finally stayed healthy and was the Hawks' leading scorer, Nikolai Khabibulin, who has overcome being put on waivers, re-entry waivers, and rumours of going back to Europe to put together an excellent campaign, and Duncan Keith, who has been the heart-and-soul of the Hawks' defensive unit for two years now.
Calgary, on the other hand, is a team that confuses the hell out of me.
For starters, the last week and half they've been playing games with basically three lines and six defensemen because they are so close to the cap. They also played liked a word that rhymes with cap.
Iginla will lead, Kipper will stop the puck, and....well, those are the only two things you can ever really count on in Calgary. And with Kipper playing in so many games this season, there is no freakin' way he isn't atleast a little fatigued. Phaneuf has had a bad season, and could be injured. Robyn Reghr is on the shelf and Sarich is also nicked up.
Can Calgary come together and win this one?
Eh...maybe?
This series is a difficult one as well. Calgary has the perfect make-up for the playoffs when they are firing on all cylinders: they are tough, experienced, and have great goaltending.
But, I like the Hawks in this one. The main reason why is the two defenses. The Hawks are healthy and whole, while the Flames are black and blue.
Who knows, maybe Kipper and Iginla will save the day? I don't think so.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 6.
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