Polemic Hockey

Surprises:

1. Maybe not to some, but Nick Backstrom played a helluva series. With a few PPG, the Wild might have taken this series. He's UFA too.
2. Turco wins in OT!
3. As good as Ilja Bryzgalov played, Giguere played arguably even better.

No Surprise:

1. Chris Pronger has a dominant performance closing out the series for the Ducks.
2. 0-0 tie in the Vancouver/Dallas series settled in OT.
3. Calgary giving Detroit more than they counted on after the first few games.

Questions for tonight:

1. Do the Islanders have one last gasp in them? Survey says, no.
2. Can the Sharks close out the Preds on the road? Survey says, no.
3. Can the Devils finally contain St. Louis and Lecavalier? Survey says, Brodeur is due for a good game--yes.

Possible round 2 matchups:

Anaheim vs. Calgary, Anaheim vs. San Jose, Anaheim vs. Nashville, Anaheim vs. Vancouver.
NYR vs. Buffalo, NYR vs. Ottawa, NYR vs. Tampa
Ottawa vs. New Jersey, Ottawa vs. NYR, Ottawa vs. NYI

UPDATE:

Prediction: Rangers in 7. Result: Rangers in 4.
Prediction: Ducks in 5. Result: Ducks in 5.
Prediction: Sens in 5. Result: Sens in 5.

I'm off to a decent start.