Personal Playoff Predictions (P3) 2004

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Tampa Bay Lightning (1) VS New York Islanders (8)

As much as I want to see the Islanders actually win a round, Tampa Bay is simply a better team. Lightning in 5.

Boston Bruins (2) VS Montreal Canadiens (7)

I might as well flip a coin. While I have no reason to see Montreal as a particularly good team, beyond the raves of goalie Jose Theodore. I’m surprised the Bruins did so well. *shrugs* Canadiens in 6. Go Canada. : D

Philadelpia Flyers (3) VS New Jersey Devils (6)

The home ice advantage in this series could have been the other way around, had the Devils won that last game against Boston. (Funny how I’ve been alternating saying the team’s place of playing, and team name.) I’m going to say Devils in 6, simply because I’m a Devil’s fan. Stevens or not, the Devils are still a threat with Martin Brodeur in goal. However, I do realize that the Flyers are due to beat the Devils in a playoff series. Devils beat them in 95 and 2000 en route to Stanley Cups.

Toronto Maple Leafs (4) VS Ottawa Senators (5)

The Senators should be pissed off after last year’s game 7 lost to the Devils. I see the Maple Leafs as Rangers North. There are very few players on their roster that were actually brought up through the system. Mats Sundin comes to mind. I can’t see Ed Belfour’s back lasting that long. I like Ron Francis and Brian Leetch, but I can’t see them making a big difference. Senators in 7, should be a fun Canadien series.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

Detroit Red Wings (1, President’s Trophy) VS Nashville Predators (8)

This is very risky, but I’m going to predict another Dead Wings upset. I have to. I’m not quite sure why, but I have a thing for Nashville. Some people are saying right now, “Nashville has a hockey team?” My original interest might have stemmed from Mike Dunham. Now it’s Steve Sullivan. Also, I hate how ESPN sucks Detroit’s balls. Nashville has beaten Detroit this year, but we know how much the regular season matters. Nashville in 7.

San Jose Sharks (2) VS St. Louis Blues (7)

This was supposed to be a reconstruction year for the Sharks. *smirks* Sharks in 4.

Vancouver Canucks (3) VS Calgary Flames (6)

I’m not sure why I like the Flames, but I do. Did you know that the Flames were originally in Atlanta? Ah, mindless trivia. I don’t think anybody wants to see the Canucks go anywhere after the overplayed Bertuzzi incident. Perhaps another year, the Sedin twins will do some damage, but not this year. Flames in 5.

Colorado Avalanche (4) VS Dallas Stars (5)

As for how the Stars managed to climb the standings, I’m not sure. Around the all-star break, they were near the playoff cutoff-line. *twirls finger* Avalanche in 5.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(teams are reseeded after each round)

Tampa Bay Lightning (1) VS Montreal Canadiens (7)

*fondles beard* Lightning in 6. I don’t think the Canadien’s team is good enough to last far into the playoffs.

Ottawa Senators (5) VS New Jersey Devils (6)

Oh please, who do you think I’m going to pick? Devils in 7.

Western Conference Semifinals

San Jose Sharks (2) VS Nashville Predators (8)

Give me a second while my brain figures out the locations of both of these teams. *smirks* I like Nashville, but there’s no way they’ll pull a Minnesota (bite my tongue). I mean, come on, it’s NASHVILLE. Sharks in 5.

Colorado Avalanche (4) VS Calgary Flames (6)

As much as I think Peter Forsberg is the best hockey player on the planet, I’m not sure of how confident to be about the Avalanche. The Kariya-Selanne alliance hasn’t turn into the goal-scoring machine they expected. But, they’re still dangerous players, nonetheless. *fondles beard* I want a Canadien team to go far, I can’t help it. Flames in 7.

Eastern Conference Finals

Tampa Bay Lightning (1) VS New Jersey Devils (6)

Ah yes, a rematch of last year’s semi-finals. Devils in 7.

Western Conference Finals

San Jose Sharks (2) VS Calgary Flames (6)

With the goalie the Flames snatched from the Sharks, the Flames will win? Ha ha. whatever his name is, his GAA is below 2. Flames in 6.

Stanley Cup Finals

New Jersey Devils (6) VS Calgary Flames (6)

Devils have both the points and wins tiebreakers. (100 VS 94, 43 VS 42) Just annotating that in explanation of home-ice advantage. Devils in six.

With all that said and done, the Blues will probably surprise the hell out of me and go all the way. Just watch. I love thinking out these possibilities and seeing how wrong EVERYBODY ON ESPN IS.