Sunday, April 8, 2007
Playoff Predictions: Eastern Conference
(1) Buffalo vs. (8) Islanders
Buffalo has outscored everyone, and didn't stop winning when half of their team was out injured. Lindy Ruff has been through the wars, and this is mostly the same group that was in the third round this year. They aren't going to be stopped by a team that only scraped in on the last day. Buffalo in 4.
(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Tampa Bay
This is Martin Brodeur versus a question mark in net. It's also a high-powered offense versus a pop-gun one. Sure, Tampa has won the cup in 2004, but they have faded much more in those 3 years than New Jersey has in the 4 since its last win. This is just the team this somewhat tenuous NJ team needs to start off a good run. NJ in 4.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) New York Rangers
These two teams deserve each other. On a coin flip, I with the Rangers in 7.
(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
The coronation will have to wait. Ottawa is superior in every aspect, including offensive depth, though Pittsburgh clearly has the best player. Fleury will be exposed, and we'll see that while the Pens had a great regular season, their young group, especially Fleury, isn't quite ready for prime time yet. Sens in 5.
Buffalo has outscored everyone, and didn't stop winning when half of their team was out injured. Lindy Ruff has been through the wars, and this is mostly the same group that was in the third round this year. They aren't going to be stopped by a team that only scraped in on the last day. Buffalo in 4.
(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Tampa Bay
This is Martin Brodeur versus a question mark in net. It's also a high-powered offense versus a pop-gun one. Sure, Tampa has won the cup in 2004, but they have faded much more in those 3 years than New Jersey has in the 4 since its last win. This is just the team this somewhat tenuous NJ team needs to start off a good run. NJ in 4.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) New York Rangers
These two teams deserve each other. On a coin flip, I with the Rangers in 7.
(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
The coronation will have to wait. Ottawa is superior in every aspect, including offensive depth, though Pittsburgh clearly has the best player. Fleury will be exposed, and we'll see that while the Pens had a great regular season, their young group, especially Fleury, isn't quite ready for prime time yet. Sens in 5.
// posted by Rick @ 6:13 AM 
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