A Crazy 1st Round, Can the 2nd Round Hang? My Predictions here

So I went 4-4 in the first round, picking the Blues, Yotes, Preds and Devils as winners. Not bad, lets hope I can bring the record over .500 in the second. Heres my second round picks, read and enjoy.

Western Conference Round 2:

(8) Los Angeles Kings Vs (2) St Louis Blues

Well was I wrong about the Canucks, those Kings wingers gave them some serious physical hell to deal with and they could not handle it. Now the Blues are different story they are full of piss and vinegar will be able to respond to the physical play of Richards, Brown, Stoll, Penner and the entire 4th line that the Kings will try and throw at them.. Like Mike Gillis said end of season the Kings are very well coached, I was impressed with Sutter’s matching and the of level focus he’s got his team playing with. It hard to touch on the Goalies in this series, due to the fact that they may be the best two (three?) playing so far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. If its Halak or Elliot it doesn’t seem to matter to the Blues they seem to have the utmost confidence in either tender. This is a tough call and maybe the hardest of the 2nd round, its going long and will be a good watch despite what is being billed as a weak ratings 2nd round.

Blues in 7

(4) Nashville Predators Vs (5) Phoenix Coyotes

I’m starting to believe my pre-playoffs though that the Pred could make it all the way to the Stanley Cup final, I was trying to convince myself because on paper they looked great and they added depth at the deadline, but to be totally honest I didn’t have a chance to watch them much from the deadline until the playoffs started. HOWEVER since the playoffs have started I think they look as good as anyone and I pose to you this question. Who does your top pair shut down if your team scores by committee? No one has more that 5 points (Radulov), 2 players with 4 points, 1 with 3 points and 6 players with 2 points. Some might argue they can’t score, I will argue lots of them can score and when you sleep on them a bottom 6 line will bite you in the ass. Rinnie can also stop the puck as good as Quick and Smith have been doing so. This starts to build up a goaltending battle for this series but the Coyotes have depth too and have looked good at times really taking it to the (sort of weak) Blackhawks in round 1. I think we will see a few OT game here, but I think the Preds have been built to go deep this year as long as the can keep scoring they are a threat. Look for this series to get rough on the boards and be quite physical (maybe most physical in the 2nd round). Hal Gill returns for game 1, if the legs are good he helps The Preds clog things up and on the PK

Predators in 6

Eastern Conference Round 2:

(7) Washington Capitals Vs (1) New York Rangers

Well Caps you did it, its got to the point where this Caps team has needed and entire season of struggle a coaching change and a game 7 upset of the defending champs. Not sure where Dale Hunter learned to bench his stars, but it wasn’t in London, how long do his best Knights players take shifts for? Thats what I thought. But he’s got through to the bottom 6 and the hard-workers on the Caps and they are making a little room for the stars, Holtby is in a trance and things are coming together in Washington. The Rangers looked over matched at times against a dynamic and resilient Sens team, but their big boys are starting to roll and in the last 2 games of the 1st round The Rangers looked like they were finally playing playoff hockey. If they play as good as Torts bitches they can this might turn out to be their easiest series in the post season. Motivated by the loss of Boyle, Richards playing as he should (it took a few games), and a feisty and driven Lunqvist. Spells and end for the Caps. Watch the Caps fall back to run and gun and watch the Rangers block shots, clog the middle and counter really well.. Breakaways anyone?

Rangers in 6

(6) New Jersey Devils Vs (5) Philadelphia Flyers

Well the Flyers seem to be lucky or very good, they got the Pens to play their game, pissed them off and took advantage of it. I could see the Devils falling into the same trap as the Pens did, but the Flyers are gonna take it to the Devils and hard, it will be interesting to how they respond. The main factors that I keep dwelling on are the stars on the Devils and the Goalies in the nets. In one you have Kovalchuk a man who wants to win, but is already paid, Parise an expiring UFA who elected not to negotiate until the end of the season. One can only assume to boost his payday after a good playoffs, starting anytime now would help Zach. If the Flyers can wear down these Devils players and take away their space, the series is theirs for the taking. However is all about what is in net, can Bryz match Marty? If so, the Flyers forwards will emerge and continue as the legit threat they are; a deep 4 line team. Its been beautiful Marty, good luck. X factor? David Clarkson and his ability to do eveything the Flyers can

Flyers in 6

Thanks for Reading, next round I’ll be making my picks all the way to the final.

As always, Banter, Debate, Feedback always welcome

E-Mail: thehockeyuniverse@gamil.com

Twitter: @AndyLevang

 

Everyday I’m shuffling: Breaking down the Leafs lineup options

With Grabovski and MacAuthur going down last night against the Coyotes the Maple Leafs start to look thin in the top 6. Tim Connelly looks like he’s ready to return for the Nashville game on Thursday so it looks as though he will draw into Grabovski’s spot and Bozak will continue to center his BFF’s line.

The Easy Call:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel

Frattin-Connolly-Kulemin

Brown-Lombardi-Steckel

Callup-Dupuis-Crabb

Maybe Frattin can actually burry one of his many chances if he finds himself on a line with Connolly, He just better be ready to shoot, that puck might appear on stick when he least expects it, Connolly is shifty. It appears the Leafs are undecided about a call up yet, Burke Stated on the Fan590 morning show he doesn’t like putting call ups into the line up unless their 100% healthy. I would tend to agree, might as well give them the best chance of success. Wilson Stated post practice that he will dress 7 D-men thursday (@Nashville), that gives Joe Colborne a chance to get in a game Friday night with the Marlies before a potential call up. It will be interesting to see if Jake Gardiner gets any shifts at forward on thursday, its where he played until sometime in high school. Kadri deserves a shot at the Top 6 with 2 guys going down and Frattin’s lack of production with his ample opportunities. Heres how I think Saturday night Vs Capitals should look.

Give the People what they want:

Lupul-Connolly-Kessel

Kadri-Colborne-Kulemin

Frattin-Bozak-Lombardi

Brown-Steckel-Crabb

You have 3 lines that have the potential to generate offense, as bad as the Goalies have been since Reimer went down the team isn’t scoring enough, Kadri & Colborne could help with that and Kulemin keeps them honest. I would be interested to see what those kids can do if they develop some chemistry, both offensively   gifted. I would even consider an in game swap of Connolly and Colborne, why not? It’s what the kid is being groomed for, right?

Bozak and Connolly are pretty close in Face-off % (50.2% & 48.1% respectively) I would expect Connolly to get better on the dot with more games played, his last 5 games he averaged 52.8%, which would be higher without a 29.4% blip against The Sens on Oct 30th. So hopefully that allows Lupul and Kessel to keep up their strong possession play going when rushing in with speed. They looked fine with Connolly earlier this year.

Although I haven’t been thrilled with Lombardi on the wing this year (IMO he should sit a game and do some thinking when some bodies return) I don’t see Bozak faring any better on the wall and a second option in the face-off circle is good on a 3rd line. Frattin finishes checks and this line should be able to put pressure on and work against other teams top guys.

Any line with Mike Brown is great, although Kessel has been the team’s clear cut best this year, Brown has played his role perfectly, guy never takes a shift off and should round out a solid 4th line with Stecks and Crabb.. Never see them not checking hard and making life difficult for others.

Note* Grabovski or MacAuthur with need to go on IR for second line up to fly.

As always, Comments feedback, banter always welcome

E-mail: thehockeyuniverse@gmail.com

Twitter: @AndyLevang