Round 2 predictions

I'll be quick...

The East
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Ottawa (1) vs. Buffalo (4)
Prediction: Ottawa in 6
Buffalo's got a good team. They are fast, skilled, deep and have a hot rookie goalie. Trouble is, Ottawa is exactly the same only better. Buffalo did so well against Philly because they couldn't handle their style. Now Buffalo faces a team just like them. Now Buffalo DID beat the Sens regularly (ok, twice) near the end of the season, but that's when Ottawa had the injury bug. Ottawa will find a way to lose 2 games of this series before putting the Sabres away.

Carolina (2) vs. New Jersey (3)
Prediction: New Jersey in 6
I was tempted to say 5, but let's stick with 6. Carolina had trouble scoring goals against Montreal, how do they expect to get much past Brodeur?? New Jersey also has more weapons then Montreal, plus they seem hungry as balls for another Finals appearance. Brodeur has found his groove.


The West
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San Jose (5) vs. Edmonton (8)
Prediction: San Jose in 7
The West is reaally tough to call since none of the top seeds are in. San Jose dominates Edmonton on paper but I'm not underestimating the Oilers work ethic or heart again, they will make a series of it. San Jose will still come out on top.

Anaheim (6) vs. Colorado (7)
Prediction: Anaheim in 6
The Ducks are my dark horse. :) If they can take the style of play from Game 7 into the series with Colorado they'll win this series. They are basically a Calgary style shutdown team with better offensive threats. It's the kind of hockey that took them to the finals a few years back. I bet they're surprised to have home ice advantage in the 2nd Round as a 6 seed!!

First Round is over...

Let's break it down

The East
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Ottawa (1) vs. Tampa Bay (8)
Prediction: Ottawa in 5
Result: Ottawa in 5
Go Sens Go! :) Did anyone else feel that the first two periods of the first game seemed all too familiar? Luckily, the Sens woke up. This could have been a much closer series. Tampa did not get any secondary scoring and our secondary scoring (Fisher, Havlat and Schaefer) played like a first line. Of course, each of our superstars getting 10 points each didn't hurt. Emery was solid. Grahame was not.

Carolina (2) vs. Montral (7)
Prediction: Carolina in 6
Result: Carolina in 6
Damn, wouldn't it have been fun to see Ottawa vs Montreal in the 2nd round? That's real tough to win the first two games away, then lose 4 straight. Losing Koivu was HUGE, he's their heart and soul. They wouldn't have swept Carolina, but I believe they would have bounced back from losing the 2 games at home with him. Carolina was OK, their rookie goalie Ward came up huge for them. Montreal is still a young team, they'll get better.

New Jersey (3) vs. New York (6)
Prediction: New Jersey in 7
Result: New Jersey in 4
Wow, have you ever seen a team bend over and take it more than New York did? I was expecting a WAR with these teams. I'd be embarassed to be a Rangers fan right now. Jagr cracks me up, 'injuring' himself by taking a swipe at a player and then makes a 'heroic' comeback in Game 4, only to leave the game during his first shift. Good lord. I didn't watch much of this series, so there's not much I can say.

Buffalo (4) vs. Philly (5)
Prediction: Buffalo in 6
Result: Buffalo in 6
Yup, as I expected. Buffalo just too fast for Philly's lumbering big defense. So many easy goals in that last game.. of course Philly has a reputation of going out ugly. Remember when the Sens knocked them out? Ryan Miller was good enough (one rough game). I'll give it to Forsberg though, he was great during the series and played each game. Of course, he DID get hurt and will now have surgery.. AGAIN!

The West
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Detroit (1) vs. Oilers (8)
Prediction: Detroit in 4
Result: Oilers in 6!!
Oh my god! Who saw that coming??? Is it too late to consider MacTavish coach of the year? He had his team playing perfectly against Detroit. They just looked hungrier. That comeback in Game 6 was incredible. Best period of hockey I've seen in a long while. I think I underestimated the Oilers. I had mentioned that Detroit played 24 games against 3 of the worst teams in the West, but also since their lead was so huge I think they lost their edge. Edmonton had to fight just to make the post-season and came ready. Congrats to the Oilers, they are going to be fun to watch! Elaine & Blah.. I'm so sorry about your Red Wings. Trust me, I know how it feels to see your team lose like that.

Dallas (2) vs. Colorado (7)
Prediction: Dallas in 6
Result: Colorado in 5
Wow, it seemed like Colorado's game plan was: "They won 12 games in shootouts, so let's take them into overtime." 3 OT wins. Maybe Dallas' point total was inflated. Turco was not his usual solid self and Theodore actually looks like he's fixed himself. He played great. I don't know what t o make of Colorado at this point. We're they playing possum until the playoffs??

Calgary (3) vs. Anaheim (6)
Prediction: Anaheim in 7
Result: Anaheim in 7
I actually feel kind of bad about this, like I jinxed the Flames. Don't get me wrong, as I said I love my Canadian teams but I felt the Ducks were a sleeper team coming into the playoffs. They played a 'perfect' Game 7. Just perfect. I didn't see a single good scoring opportunity for Calgary. If they can keep that form, they may go a long way. Funny how the finalists from last year are both out in the first round.

Nashville (4) vs. San Jose (5)
Prediction: San Jose in 5
Result: San Jose in 5
No real suprise here. San Jose was just too much for Nashville, especially with Vokoun out of the picture. Chris Mason was brave, but had no chance. SJ is bigger, faster and more skilled. They are in good shape going into Round 2.


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So how'd I do? I predicted the winner correctly in 6 out of 8 series' and got the right amount of games in 5 of those 6 games. I'd say that's pretty frakin' good. Although, it's not hard to pick the top 4 teams in the East, anyone can do that. Did anyone notice that in the East teams seeded 1 thru 4 got through while in the West it was teams 5 thru 8? Very strange.

Anyhow, I think I need to be taken out for beer by each and every one of you for doing so well. :) Of course, this means that my 2nd Round choices are going to STINK! :p Those are coming up by Friday at the latest.

Gee Jade, who taught you that one...

..cause it sure wasn't me!

Some of you know about Jade's 'intimate moments' with the bannister at my house. For those that don't know what I'm talking about.. well.. I'm not about to get into details. :p

Yesterday, I'm getting ready to leave the house when I ask Jade (who was preoccupied with aforementioned bannister) to follow me so we can get her changed. Her reply?

"I'm getting my jollies.. can I get my jollies?"

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How do you answer that question?


In totally unrelated news, I'm thinking about buying a shotgun in the next ten years or so. Perhaps a rocking chair for my front porch too. And maybe some heavy duty locks. :p