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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Second Round Bracketology
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK kids… time to roll into the second round of the playoffs. But first, take a look back at your first round predictions and see how ya did.
Me? Well, the un-good news is that I only got 4 out of 8 correct. The good news is that the four I was able to accurately project, (Montreal, Pittsburgh, Detroit and San Jose), are the teams I predicted would win in the second round and advance to the conference finals!!!!
So…the Rawhide bracket LIVES!
In this round, I’m going to be paying particular attention to the men between the pipes. Teams have ridden hot net-minder to championships before and this year there are a few that teams could do just that with.
Here’s my picks for round two…if I only bat .500 again, I hope that it’s Montreal and San Jose who come through for me as they are my picks to make the finals.
East
#1 Montreal vs. #6 Philadelphia: First of all, hats off to Boston for taking their round one bout with the Canadiens to a game 7 after dropping behind 3 games to 1. Their play was what playoff hockey is supposed to be all about. Montreal net-minder Carey Price finished the seven game series with a 2.09 GAA and .925 SV% however he had a couple of forgettable third periods. It doesn’t get any easier as Briere, (6 goals & 5 assists), Prospal, (3 goals & 6 assists), and a very dynamic Flyers offense will be attacking him in waves. Look for a fun-filled couple of weeks full of 4-3 and 5-4 kind of games.
Montreal in 7
#2 Pittsburgh vs. #5 New York Rangers: The Penguins haven’t played since the 16th when they kicked Ottawa to the curb in four straight. Inevitably this brings the question about whether it’s a good thing or not to sit that long. However their opponents, the New York Rangers, have had a bit of rest themselves having done away with New Jersey last Friday night. Marc-Andre Fleury earned a .955 SV% and 1.26 GAA in the four games against the Senators. His counterpart didn’t boast such figures in round one…but Henrik Lundqvist finished the regular season with a 2.23 GAA and .912 SV%. The two teams should kick off any rust they’ve incurred early on and play a tough series.
Pittsburgh in 6
West
#1 Detroit vs. #6 Colorado: Looks like Mike Babcock decision to go with Chris Osgood in games five and six was the right call, eh? Osgood turned away 53 of the 54 shots he faced versus Nashville for a .981 SV% and .039 GAA. I think we will see more of him against Colorado. Jose Theodore was no slouch either in his six games against Minnesota as he played all 383:14 of that series that included 3 overtimes and 5 one-goal games. He finished with a 1.88 GAA and .940 SV%. The Avs will have to improve on the 33.3 SA/G they allowed Minnesota or they will get buried by the potent Red Wings attack.
Detroit in 6
#2 San Jose vs. #5 Dallas: Offense could be at a premium in this series as the two teams combined for the two lowest SA/G of the sixteen teams that played in the first round, (23.0 for the Stars and 23.1 for the Sharks). This makes life easier for both goalies. Marty Turco worked a 2.01 GAA .912 SV% against the Ducks and looked very sharp. San Jose’s Evgeni Nabokov will need to be sharper than the 2.45 / .895 numbers versus Calgary. I have to honest with you…even though I picked the Sharks to go to, and win, the finals…this series scares me. If there is an upset to pick in this round, this is the series. I’m sticking with the Sharks…but I’m feeling as nervous as a seal off the California coast, hoping that I don’t get bit here.
San Jose in 7
There IS Hockey Tonight
The Gwinnett Gladiators have force a deciding game 5 against South Carolina in the ECHL playoffs. For those needed a good hockey fix, the game will be broadcasted at Bogeys on PIB.
Go Glads…Spank the Stingrays!
