And then there were 8
By Tim Redinger
Eastern Conference
With Montreal’s upset of the Washington Capitals in Round One – the Conference Semi-finals are set to begin. Lets take a quick look back at our prediction and how we faired.
Montreal wins series 4-3. Sabrenoise prediction: Washington wins 4-1. Probably not the biggest surprise, given the fact that Washington had to try and flip a switch to on that was set to coast at such an early point in the season. Sabrenoise 0-1.
Pittsburgh wins series 4-2. Sabrenoise prediction: Ottawa in six. Ok, so I got the number of games right in this one, but figured the Pens wouldn’t have what it takes to last this long, given two years of long seasons. Sabrenoise 0-2.
Boston wins in 6. Sabrenoise prediction: Sabres in five. Maybe I homered in on this one, but I didn’t think the Sabres would turtle as badly with the loss of Thomas Vanek. Sabrenoise 0-3.
Philadelphia wins in 5. Sabrenoise prediction Philadelphia in 6. I figured the Flyers were going to be able to handle the New Jersey Devils, but I didn’t think that the Devils would roll over so quickly. Sabrenoise 1-3.
Conference Semi-Finals:
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Penguins have played a lot of hockey, and at some point, that is going to play into the equation. However, it won’t be this round. The Penguins are still going to be able to find a way to continue winning. Pittsburgh will advance to the Conference Finals again after six games.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins. This is going to be one hell of a series. It is going to be physical – it is going to be low scoring, It is going to drain the hell out of the winning team. Lets hope they have enough left in them to try and prevent the Penguins from making it to the finals three in a row. Philadelphia in six.
Western Conference
San Jose defeats Colorado in six. Sabrenoise predicted: San Jose in 7. I figured this one was going to be closer, given the ability for San Jose to choke in the playoffs. Sabrenoise 2-3.
Chicago wins in six. SN predict: Chicago in 5. This one took longer. Nashville surprised a lot of people, and even scared a few Chicago hopefuls. Is this a sign of impending doom or a test of mettle that the ‘Hawks have passed? SN 3-3.
Vancouver in six. SN picked it. Canucks in six. Despite the choke artist himself Luongo backstopping the Canucks, I have a soft spot for the British Columbian hockey team because of their entrance into the league the same year as my Sabres. Kings look promising for the future, but they just are ready. I can say I probably homered this pick a little, but hey I nailed this one. SN 4-3.
The Detroit Red Wings trumped the Coyotes in seven. SN picked Detroit in 6. I thought Pheonix would put up a fight, but not take it seven games. SN 5-3.
Conference Semi-Finals:
San Jose vs. Detroit: San Jose has choked in the past, and they have run into the one team they didn’t want to face in the playoffs. Detroit has become a playoff machine as of late, and will use that to push San Jose out in six.
Chicago vs Vancouver: This is going to be tough one to call, but I am going to have to go with Chicago. The kids in the windy city are hungry for it, and they saw how close Pittsburgh came before winning it themselves. Chicago gets another shot at the Conference Finals by beating Vancouver in six.
Check out the chalk lines in th East and West conferences. Not one division winner made it in the East, all three made it in the West.