NHL Playoffs

For the second season in a row my dear Sabre's have not made it to the playoffs. Some fans are calling for the firing of GM Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff...I have faith in Lindy, there's a reason he's the longest standing head coach at one organization currently in the NHL. I think the biggest problem is that the Sabres were plagued by injury at the worst time in the season, loosing top goalie for a month and getting him back for the final seven games of the season? Loosing top goal scorer Thomas Vanek for a couple months and then have him come back unable to get back into any rhythm didn't help. Not to mention injuries that caused veterans Tim Connely and Teppo Numinen to loose some games here and there. There was a lot that didn't go well for them, key players gone at a key times, I'm impressed that they actually made a run at the end of the season. As I said earlier, what they need is a stronger leader, a real captain that will be the heart of the team. Anyways, onto the predictions on the actual playoff match ups:

Boston vs. Montreal: Boston won the season series, Montreal is riding a great end of season. If Montreal plays their best for seven games (or less), I think they could knock Boston out. That's a big "if" and well, I don't have a ton of faith in Montreal's ability to hold a streak into the playoffs. I'm picking Boston and hoping for Montreal here.

Washington vs. New York Rangers: The Rangers limped through the second half of the season, Ovechkin and the Capitals, while riding a bit of a loosing streak, are still a great team. The Rangers won't make it past the first round, Washington wins this one.

New Jersey vs. Carolina: Martin Brodeur is still an amazing goalie, perhaps still the best in his position, Carolina is going to have a hard time with him in the playoffs. Kudos to Carolina for getting this far, I think this series might actually be fun to watch, but New Jersey is going to win, probably in 6 games.

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: Pittsburgh figured out how to play again thanks to Dan Bylsma at the helm, Philly has been good, but I don't think they're good enough to beat Malkin and Crosby at their best. Pittsburgh takes this one, maybe in 5?

San Jose vs. Anaheim: San Jose has been attrocious in the playoffs, loosing the will to win and such, but we'll see how they fare this season with a coach who has lots of playoff winning experience. They haven't been as strong the second half of the season, but the pace they were keeping the first half was just impossible. Kudos to Anaheim to battling their way into the playoffs, San Jose takes this one, maybe sweeps it.

Detroit vs. Columbus: Great praise to Columbus for making it into the playoffs for the first time in their history, they'll nab one or two games. Detroit is a powerhouse. They are a dynasty...the reality is that they could win the cup every year, they're taking this one. Bad first match for Columbus.

Vancouver vs. St. Louis: Wow, St. Louis came out of no where, best second half of the season of any team, hands down. Vancouver hasn't been having a bad season either. This might be the best series of this round of the playoffs, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say St. Louis pulls this one out, maybe in the final hour of the seventh game.

Chicago vs. Calgary: Chicago has been great this season, I mean seriously great this season. One commentator mentioned that the biggest problem they have is that they always run into a red or teal wall, Detroit or San Jose. I think the series will be fun to watch, but Chicago is going to win.

Well friends, that was fun. Hmmmm, my sister is turning 21 tomorrow...awwwweeesome!