"This is hardly the momentum [the Jackets] wanted going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs."
Okay, so the Columbus Blue Jackets clinched a playoff spot last Wednesday, and then looked like they were caught off guard by the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild. In a few words: It was rough. The Jackets went 3-3-4 in their last ten games, including getting their butts thoroughly handed to them by the Minnesota Wild. This is hardly the momentum they wanted going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, it’s important to let the following words sink in: The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Is the 7th seed ideal? Probably not, and you know what? Neither is a 1st seed, or winning a President’s Trophy for best record – in fact, for awhile, winning the latter was thought to be a jinx. Maybe the San Jose Sharks are hosed… and then again, maybe not.
And that’s the fun of the Playoffs: The records don’t matter anymore. Sure, you’ll see them used as sports writers and bloggers make their predictions and picks, myself included. But in the end, the only numbers that matter are the ones on the stat sheets for the next four to seven games, and of course, the numbers on the scoreboards. This is a time when heroes rise.
This is the reason we diehard hockey fans call this the Second Season.
True, the Jackets fared better against Vancouver this year, and that made that potential first round matchup look more appealing. I’ll admit it. However, believe it or not, I’m liking this Columbus-Detroit matchup. They’re division opponents, so they’re familiar with each other. The Jackets have fared better against Detroit in the last two years. It’s a fairly short commute back-and-forth.
And let’s not forget the fact that this is such a regional rivalry. Nationwide and The Joe are going to be two very loud arenas for the next two weeks… and I do firmly believe this series will take the better part of two weeks to settle, but we’ll get to that in just a moment.
I absolutely hated the Red Wings as an Avs fan back in the 90s… how do you think I feel now that I have a local team?!? Thursday can’t come soon enough.
So, for the first time, I’m going to take a stab at picking all the first round series. Cheer me, jeer me, whatever… it’s cool.
First, the West:
(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim
An all-California playoff series. In hockey. Ten to fifteen years ago, this prospect would have been laughed at. It’s a nice, short commute for two talented teams. Can the Sharks keep up the success they have enjoyed all season en route to the Presidents’ Trophy, or will the Trophy’s curse burn them? Only seven Presidents’ Trophy winners have won the Cup since it was first awarded after the 1985-86 season. San Jose could win it all this year. Or they could bow out early… as usual. They won’t do it in the first round, though. My Pick: Sharks in six.
"Yes, [the Red Wings] have won four Cups since 1997, including last year. They have lost in the first round three times in that same span."
(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus
I know… I said it above… statistics don’t mean anything in the Playoffs, but when you look at Detroit, consider this: Yes, they have won four Cups since 1997, including last year. Also consider this: They have lost in the first round three times in that same span. Worthless statistic? Sure. Ken Hitchcock told the Columbus Dispatch this week that “not one person with any degree of sanity” would pick the Jackets to win this series.
Well, coach, I hope straitjackets come in team colors. I wear 40 Regular. If you think that’s crazy, imagine me if the Jackets pull it off. My Pick: Jackets in seven.
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis
St. Louis was one of the best teams – if not the best team – after the All-Star Break. If people would consider a St. Louis win an upset, it’s only because they are the lower seed. St. Louis made the playoffs nearly 30 straight years before the lockout. This team was hungry to get back, and is now hungry to succeed. Beware of this team’s power play. It is the hottest part of a very hot team right now. Vancouver will not fall over easily, but they will fall. My Pick: Blues in six.
(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary
Calgary has a lot of veterans, in cluding a playoff-tested goaltender in Miikka Kiprusoff, and captain Jarome Iginla is just one of a number of battle-tested weapons in Calgary’s arsenal. Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is also a good one for Chicago. He has to establish himself early, in order to avoid getting the hook from coach Joel Quenneville, who doesn’t hesitate to switch goaltenders in the middle of a playoff series, whether he’s right or not. Khabi needs help from Chicago’s hugely talented young players – the two Patricks (Kane and Sharp) and Jonathan Toews – who need to shake off first-time jitters quickly. I like Chicago here, but this is going to be a tough series. If Khabi fades early, the ‘Hawks may be done, as Cristobal Huet is not a proven playoff guy. My Pick: Blackhawks in seven.
Now, the East:
(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal
I remember when I first started really watching hockey, when the Habs seemed to own the Bruins. It’s not going to happen this year. True, you never know. Top seed upsets in the first round happen… just not this time. My Pick: Bruins in five.
(2) Washington vs. (7) New York Rangers
The Capitals have a lot of weapons… and they need them, because as well as Jose Theodore has played this season, he is not what hockey people would call a “money” goaltender. It takes 16 wins to get the Cup. Theodore has yet to eclipse eight. The only hope he has is for Alex Ovechkin and company to score more goals than he lets in. If the Rangers manage to keep the Caps’ big scorers in check, it’s over. My Pick: Capitals in six.
(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Carolina
I just don’t see an upset this year. New Jersey managed to keep the ship right, even after losing Martin Brodeur for most of the season. They owe a lot of that to minor-league callup Scott Clemmensen – and he’ll get his time in the bigs one day. For the most part, Brodeur has not missed a beat since coming back from elbow surgery. The guy is amazing. This series will be brief. My Pick: Devils in four.
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Philadelphia
This should be a classic. I love an intrastate rivalries so much, especially this one. I’m going to try to watch a few of these on the CBJs’ off nights when I can. Obviously, Pittsburgh’s loaded, and the Flyers have bounced back really well from the abyss a couple seasons back. I expect Pittsburgh to get to at least the East finals, though. This one will be a bruiser. My Pick: Pens in six.
Enjoy the first round. Happy Playoffs, most importantly, Go Jackets!
Tags:
anaheim ducks,
boston bruins,
calgary flames,
carolina hurricanes,
chicago blackhawks,
columbus blue jackets,
detroit red wings,
montreal canadiens,
new jersey devils,
new york rangers,
philadelphia flyers,
pittsburgh penguins,
san jose sharks,
st. louis blues,
stanley cup playoffs,
vancouver canucks,
washington capitals
Add a Comment
Please be civil.