First Round Predictions
Heading into the playoff season in the NHL, 16 teams turn their attention to the grand prize, the Stanley Cup. Whether you coasted into the playoffs, as the Washington Capitals did, or win in game 82 in a shootout as the Flyers accomplished, each team gears up for what should be another fascinating finish to the NHL season. Here are my 1st round predictions, including why I think each team will make it to the second round.
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadians
This matchup may have been more interesting about 2 weeks ago, when the Habs sat in 6th place playing great hockey, winning 7 games in a row. However, they closed their season out winning only 3 of 11 games. They will need to step up their game against a very good, confident Capitals team with all the momentum coming into the playoffs. The Habs are smaller and more inexperienced, and they will need to use their speed and agility in order to make a run at the Eastern Conference Champions. Hart Trophy finalist Alexander Ovechkin looks to be hitting (no pun intended Brian Campbell) his stride heading into the playoffs, which makes it a tough series for anyone, especially a team that is struggling like the Habs. Prediction: Capitals in 5
New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers may have made the biggest national entrance into the playoffs, beating the New York Rangers in game 82 in a shootout, only to draw Martin Brodeur and the Devils. Brodeur, maybe the best goalie of all time, comes in playing some of the best hockey of his career, and opposed by Brian Boucher, will give New Jersey a big edge between the pipes. The Devils squeeked out the No. 2 seed just ahead of the Penguins, but their division rivals were the one team they didn’t want to face. However, the Devils made some big noise of their own before the trading dead-line, trading for the man who has scored the most goals in the last 7 years, Ilya Kovalchuk. He is instant offense, and paired with Zach Parise, makes the play of veteren defensemen Chris Pronger crucial in this series. This will be a tough, well played series between two teams that don’t like each other very much, but in the end, Brodeur will come through when it means the most. Prediction: Devils in 6 (more…)
Stuart, Wings deny Hawks No.1 seed in OT
Going into Sunday afternoon’s game against Detroit at the United Center, the Hawks looked to close out the regular season on a 7 game winning streak and clinch the No.1 seed in the conference. With a win, they would face the Colorado Avalanche, whom they beat Friday night 5-2, and won 3 of 4 games against this year. Like 2 of the previous match-ups against Detroit this season, the game went to overtime, and the fans were treated to an outstanding game. Mid-way through the overtime period, Brad Stuart got a cross-ice pass from Daniel Cleary and beat Antti Niemi to give the Red Wings the 3-2 victory and the No. 5 seed. With the loss, the Hawks own the No. 2 seed and will play Nashville in the first round. The Red Wings will play Phoenix in the first round.
With all the anticipation heading into the game, both teams started slowly, trying to feel each other out. With about 5 minutes left in the 1st period, the Hawks found themselves on the power-play, and Patrick Kane found Jonathan Toews who took the puck to the net for a stuff attempt. David Bolland went to the net hard, and whacked the puck by Jimmy Howard for a 1-0 lead. Heading into the first intermission, it was nice to see the Hawks get their power-play going, which has struggled in recent weeks. (more…)
Fraser, 4th line help Hawks defeat Av’s 5-2
Going into Friday nights game in Colorado, the Hawks had won 5 games in a row, and number 6 would come against a team who they might see in the first round of the playoffs. The Avalanche locked up the 8th seed with a shootout win in Vancouver, and would either face the San Jose Sharks or the Hawks, depended how both teams finish the season. Entering Friday with 109 points, the Hawks were 2 points down with 2 to play, but the Sharks only have 1 game remaining, and the Hawks own the tiebreaker. Colin Fraser tallied two points for the visitors, and Thomas Kopecky added two assists to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.
The 1st period started out very well for the Hawks, getting out to a 1-0 lead on yet another goal from the 4th line. Thomas Kopecky dumped the puck into the Av’s zone and it took a great bounce off the boards right to Frasers’ stick, and he beat goalie Peter Budaj between the legs. The 4th line has really been clicking recently, and they have been giving the rest of the team confidence. A little over 4 minutes later, the Hawks found themselves on a powerplay, and Patrick Kane found Jonathan Toews for his 25th goal of the season, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead heading into the 2nd period. Antti Niemi go the start in net, and wasn’t needed much, but he was up to the task on a few occasions. (more…)
Versteeg Helps Hawks Escape Blues 6-5
Coming into Wednesday night’s game at the United Center, the Hawks looked to extend their winning streak to 5 against their division rival St. Louis Blues. One day after setting the franchise record with 50 wins, the Hawks looked to take over the top seed in the West with a win. In the first five games against the Blues, saying each game was physical would be an understatement with 9 fights. This game was no different from the rest, and the Hawks stuck with the Blues physicality for most of the game, something that they have gotten better at in recent weeks. Kris Versteeg had his first 4 point game of his career, and Dustin Byfuglien added two assists to help the Hawks take over the No. 1 seed with a 6-5 victory.
The first period was full of action, seeing a total of 5 goals scored, four by the home team. The Blues jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when David Perron scored his 20th goal of the year beating Antti Niemi, who started for the 7th straight game. The Blues lead did not last for long, as Duncan Keith ripped a shot from the slot that beat Blues goalie Chris Mason stick side for his 14th goal of the year. The floodgates were opened, as the Hawks would go on to score 3 more goals in the next 2 minutes. Coming off the penalty kill, Patrick Kane flipped a backhander toward the crease, and Ben Eager whacked home his 7th goal of the season making it 2-1. Brian Bickell, just called up from the Rockford, threw the puck to the net from the sideboards and somehow beat Mason to his glove-side for a 3-1 lead. Mason was later pulled and Ty Conklin would finish the rest of the game in net. On the penalty kill again, Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg had a 2 on 0 break, and Versteeg beat Mason again to his stick side to make it 4-1 no more than half way through the 1st. The rest of the period was very physical, seeing Brent Seabrook and Brad Winchester in a scrap, in which Seabrook received a 10 minute misconduct. Heading into the 1st intermission, the Hawks had all the momentum, and where looking to put the Blues away. (more…)
Historic Hawks
Going into the Tuesday night game in Dallas, the Hawks looked to either tie or break a number of records, including 50 wins in a season, which would be the most in the 83 year existence of the storied franchise. A win would also give them 22 road victories, tying a franchise record, and their 107 points would also tie their franchises best. On a three game winning streak, Antti Niemi in net, and playing some of their best hockey of the season, it was almost a foregone conclusion. Colin Fraser had his best game of the season, scoring two goals, and Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist each, and the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2 behind 26 saves from Niemi.
The first minute of the 1st period was a sign of things to come for the Hawks, and Toews found Hossa driving to the net, and out of mid-air whacked the puck in for a early 1-0. You can tell now watching the Hawks that they have a lot more confidence and swagger in their game than recent weeks. Their all around game is very solid right now, and they are getting contributions from everyone on the team, including big minutes from the 4th line. With less than a minute left in the period, Brent Seabrook found the puck on his stick at the point, and ripped a shot at the net and was re-directed in by Colin Fraser for his 3rd goal of the year, making it 2-0 heading into the first intermission. (more…)
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