Putting on the Foil – Playoff Edition - 1st Round
Welcome back to Putting on the Foil where I bring the news, info, and frankly my point of view from the world of hockey to our loyal DSB readers. The regular hockey season has come to a close and I figured there was no better time to let my diarrhea of the mouth flow than to bring us all a much anticipated preview to the playoffs. The games start this week, so in no particular order...
Pittsburgh Penguins: Last year’s champions return to the playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference this year after finishing the regular season with 101 points (47-28-7). Their first-round opponents will be the Ottawa Senators, who finished 5th in the conference with 94 points (44-33-6). I would expect everything Ottawa has right out of the gate seeing that they missed the playoffs last year. Pittsburgh is no stranger to the Sens as these teams faced each other in first round playoff match-ups in both 2007 and 2008. While this year’s series of games have been split by home ice advantage, these foes have not seen one another since late December. All four games were decided by three or more goals to the victor. Now we all know that Bearcat will be on the edge of his seat waiting for Crosby to come through in the clutch, but my money is on Evgeni Malkin. In the four games played this season, Malkin netted five goals and Crosby didn’t find the back of the net a single time (although he did provide three assists). This should definitely pan out to be an interesting series.
Prediction: Against all of my better judgment, I see the Birds taking the Sens out. As much as I would like to see Ottawa come crashing through with the upset in the first round and leave Bearcat wondering what the hell just happened, I believe we will have to wait and see who they face in the 2nd round for that to be possible.
Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers needed a shootout victory in the final regular season game just to make it into the playoffs. They finished the regular season in the 7th position with 88 points (41-35-6). The Fly Guys have their hands full against the 2nd seeded New Jersey Devils in the first round. They can take their “see-saw” method of winning and losing alternate games and throw it right out the window. The story for this match-up is going to be all about goaltending and how Jersey has it and Philly doesn’t. The Devils bring the all-time leader in wins and shutouts and venerated playoff veteran Martin Brodeur between the pipes. As for Philly, well they have Brian Boucher, Johan Backlund, and Sebastien Caron but all fingers are pointing at Boucher to be the man for the playoffs. Boucher was in goal for the Flyers ten years ago which was the last time they had any kind of respectable showing in the playoffs. He was also able to stand tall for the Flyers in the defacto playoff game against the Rangers in the shootout win. While it may be nice to see Pennsylvania teams make it into the playoffs, there is no love here for the Flyers.
Prediction: Unfortunately Philly find themselves drawing the short end of the stick. I just don’t see a second round of playoffs on the horizon for Flyers fans as the Devils knock them out.
Washington Capitals: I better flush and make sure I’ve got an empty bowl for this one. Yes, my red, white, and blue is about to flow all over. The Capitals had a remarkable season. The Caps took the Eastern Conference top seed by capturing 121 points (54-15-13). Washington has not seen a season of hockey like this in quite some time. They also edged out the San Jose Sharks for the President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season. All eyes are on the Caps as the favorites to win Lord Stanley’s glorious Cup. They will be taking on the Montreal Canadiens in a David and Goliath match-up. While Washington seems to be the attack machine this year, what might cause them some trouble, much like Philly, will be goaltending. The Caps have veteran Jose Theodore (whose nickname earlier in the season became “3-or-more”), Semeyon Varlomov, and if needs demand Hershey young gun Michal Neuvrith. While I am hoping Theodore can keep things together, Varly will be waiting and ready. On the offensive side of the ice, the Capitals had a balanced attack throughout the season. Ovechkin had 50 goals and 109 points, Backstrom had 33 goals and 101 points, Semin had 40 goals and 84 points, and that doesn’t even begin to detail the striking power among the 20 other guys who netted one this year. Montreal's goaltending duo of Jaroslov Halak and Carey Price definitely getsthe nod in this category, however it might not be enough to halt Washington's scoring force and their ability to toss insane amount of pucks on net.
Prediction: Look out...”The Washington Wrecking Ball” is coming through. It's going to take a helluva lot to stop this team, I think…their heart and determination is firing on all cylinders this year.
Hershey Bears: Of course I would have to move away to South Canada (actually Buffalo) when the Bears have their best season ever and set more records than any other team in the history of the AHL. If you want to know where Washington gets its power from, just look inside it’s farm system. Hurt player? They can turn and call up any number of guys to the show as they did many times this year. And what goes on when that happens? The boys’ that bleed Chocolate and White find themselves amongst those who “Rock the Red” and other player step up to fill there spot in Hershey. It just goes to show what depth is all about. Hershey has set numerous records this year. The Bears had an incredible homestand run which came to an end after 24 wins in a row. They finished the regular season with a remarkable 60-17-0-3 record for 123 points and became the first team in the AHL to ever reach 60 wins in the regular season. Keith Aucoin was named AHL Most Valuable Player and Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux took both scoring titles for the year as well. I don’t see the record books closing on Hershey quite yet either. Hershey will face the Bridgeport Soundtigers in the first round and the Bears' results against them are quite overwhelming: a 9-2 victory in February, and a 6-3 victory in March. Bridgeport better watch out, I don’t see much of anything stopping Hershey.
Prediction: The Chocolate and White have their cross hairs set on Calder Trophy number 11. They're gonna be some awesome games to see, so you better get your tickets fast.
Make sure to check back here on DSB for the next round of playoffs…Even though I’m in Buffalo and admire the Sabres, I’ll be “Rockin’ my Red” and “Wooooo-ing” for the Bears…
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
Pittsburgh Penguins: Last year’s champions return to the playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference this year after finishing the regular season with 101 points (47-28-7). Their first-round opponents will be the Ottawa Senators, who finished 5th in the conference with 94 points (44-33-6). I would expect everything Ottawa has right out of the gate seeing that they missed the playoffs last year. Pittsburgh is no stranger to the Sens as these teams faced each other in first round playoff match-ups in both 2007 and 2008. While this year’s series of games have been split by home ice advantage, these foes have not seen one another since late December. All four games were decided by three or more goals to the victor. Now we all know that Bearcat will be on the edge of his seat waiting for Crosby to come through in the clutch, but my money is on Evgeni Malkin. In the four games played this season, Malkin netted five goals and Crosby didn’t find the back of the net a single time (although he did provide three assists). This should definitely pan out to be an interesting series.Prediction: Against all of my better judgment, I see the Birds taking the Sens out. As much as I would like to see Ottawa come crashing through with the upset in the first round and leave Bearcat wondering what the hell just happened, I believe we will have to wait and see who they face in the 2nd round for that to be possible.
Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers needed a shootout victory in the final regular season game just to make it into the playoffs. They finished the regular season in the 7th position with 88 points (41-35-6). The Fly Guys have their hands full against the 2nd seeded New Jersey Devils in the first round. They can take their “see-saw” method of winning and losing alternate games and throw it right out the window. The story for this match-up is going to be all about goaltending and how Jersey has it and Philly doesn’t. The Devils bring the all-time leader in wins and shutouts and venerated playoff veteran Martin Brodeur between the pipes. As for Philly, well they have Brian Boucher, Johan Backlund, and Sebastien Caron but all fingers are pointing at Boucher to be the man for the playoffs. Boucher was in goal for the Flyers ten years ago which was the last time they had any kind of respectable showing in the playoffs. He was also able to stand tall for the Flyers in the defacto playoff game against the Rangers in the shootout win. While it may be nice to see Pennsylvania teams make it into the playoffs, there is no love here for the Flyers.Prediction: Unfortunately Philly find themselves drawing the short end of the stick. I just don’t see a second round of playoffs on the horizon for Flyers fans as the Devils knock them out.
Washington Capitals: I better flush and make sure I’ve got an empty bowl for this one. Yes, my red, white, and blue is about to flow all over. The Capitals had a remarkable season. The Caps took the Eastern Conference top seed by capturing 121 points (54-15-13). Washington has not seen a season of hockey like this in quite some time. They also edged out the San Jose Sharks for the President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season. All eyes are on the Caps as the favorites to win Lord Stanley’s glorious Cup. They will be taking on the Montreal Canadiens in a David and Goliath match-up. While Washington seems to be the attack machine this year, what might cause them some trouble, much like Philly, will be goaltending. The Caps have veteran Jose Theodore (whose nickname earlier in the season became “3-or-more”), Semeyon Varlomov, and if needs demand Hershey young gun Michal Neuvrith. While I am hoping Theodore can keep things together, Varly will be waiting and ready. On the offensive side of the ice, the Capitals had a balanced attack throughout the season. Ovechkin had 50 goals and 109 points, Backstrom had 33 goals and 101 points, Semin had 40 goals and 84 points, and that doesn’t even begin to detail the striking power among the 20 other guys who netted one this year. Montreal's goaltending duo of Jaroslov Halak and Carey Price definitely getsthe nod in this category, however it might not be enough to halt Washington's scoring force and their ability to toss insane amount of pucks on net.Prediction: Look out...”The Washington Wrecking Ball” is coming through. It's going to take a helluva lot to stop this team, I think…their heart and determination is firing on all cylinders this year.
Hershey Bears: Of course I would have to move away to South Canada (actually Buffalo) when the Bears have their best season ever and set more records than any other team in the history of the AHL. If you want to know where Washington gets its power from, just look inside it’s farm system. Hurt player? They can turn and call up any number of guys to the show as they did many times this year. And what goes on when that happens? The boys’ that bleed Chocolate and White find themselves amongst those who “Rock the Red” and other player step up to fill there spot in Hershey. It just goes to show what depth is all about. Hershey has set numerous records this year. The Bears had an incredible homestand run which came to an end after 24 wins in a row. They finished the regular season with a remarkable 60-17-0-3 record for 123 points and became the first team in the AHL to ever reach 60 wins in the regular season. Keith Aucoin was named AHL Most Valuable Player and Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux took both scoring titles for the year as well. I don’t see the record books closing on Hershey quite yet either. Hershey will face the Bridgeport Soundtigers in the first round and the Bears' results against them are quite overwhelming: a 9-2 victory in February, and a 6-3 victory in March. Bridgeport better watch out, I don’t see much of anything stopping Hershey.Prediction: The Chocolate and White have their cross hairs set on Calder Trophy number 11. They're gonna be some awesome games to see, so you better get your tickets fast.
Make sure to check back here on DSB for the next round of playoffs…Even though I’m in Buffalo and admire the Sabres, I’ll be “Rockin’ my Red” and “Wooooo-ing” for the Bears…
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
Posted by Plain White TS at 4/13/2010 9:00 AM 
Categories: Putting on the Foil
Tags: Hershey Bears Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers
Categories: Putting on the Foil
Tags: Hershey Bears Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers
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