Oh man, imagine my surprise when I logged into the NHL website, then straightway over to thackalanche to find news that makes the heart race! Three playoff races in game 7 and an update that I can only add my meager two cents to.
I am in a foreign country, Jordan to be exact (no, not South Jordan like Thack) so I only get the internet every couple of days, but ya e'nee! Ya seedi! Two Arabic phrases of surprise and pleasure! Here's my recap. I haven't watched any of the games, by virtue of being in a soccer mad country where the closest regular snowfall is 700 miles away in Kazakhstan, but I have been following them very closely.
BOSTON AND CAROLINA
This went far further than I expected. Carolina led by Staal showed that sixth seed means nothing in the high stakes of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A while ago, I predicted to my friends on my team that Boston was going to take it all in a fashion not seen since Edmonton in the Gretzky days. Now I'm biting my nails. Tim Thomas is a solid goalie, but has had the most dastardly luck in the playoffs. After coasting through the first round, the Bruins had it handed to them by the Hurricanes, but I still think the cubbies will come out on top. My prediction Boston 4-2.
DETROIT AND ANAHEIM
Ooooooooh, I have nothing good to say about this. My least favorite team in the NHL and my second least favorite team who surprised the crap out of the hockey world by upsetting my third least favorite team. I will be the first person to say I predicted San Jose to sweep Anaheim and meet Boston in the final. Now I'm not so sure that I want the Ducks to lose...
Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller has something that Chris Osgood has not had all season, namely, luck, and Chris Osgood has something that Hiller doesn't and that is a solid core of defensemen in front of him to cover his mistakes. These games have been the roller coaster ride I would never have expected, but I predict the big red machine will handle the Ducks 3-1. Hopefully we'll see some fighting at the end of this one to soften up Detroit before they face Chicago.
CHICAGO AND VANCOUVER
Done, and I thought it would come out this way. I think that Detroit will roll over Chicago. Even with trades and stuff, they are pretty much the same two teams that met in the Winter Classic, and the only thing that has changed is the stakes.
Finally, DRUMROLL PLEASE!
PITTSBURGH AND WASHINGTON!
The NHL could not have asked for a better series! The superstars of the league, Sid the Kid and Ovechkin the Crazy Russian! The unsung heroes of the regular season Malkin and Semin! The three highest point producers in the season and the player who far and away took the most shots! A rookie goalie who has been doing stellar after replacing an injury prone choke artist and a not-quite-so rookie goalie who hit his stride halfway through the season, finally! BILL FREAKING GUERIN!!!
Why the media is not going crazy about this, I will never know, but the NHL should be tripping over itself to capitalize on this. I'm sure it will happen next year and the next. For now, let's concentrate on the here and now. Penguins will triumph 4-1, but Fleury will miss his elusive shutout, probably thanks to Ovechkin.
Can I make my prediction now? Detroit will beat the Blackhawks in 5, Pittsburgh will down the Bruins in 7, and Pittsburgh will get their revenge on Hossa in a thrilling, seven game final.
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2 comments:
I was wondering what was missing here in the U.S... I felt as if some goodness had left this land... Then I realized L'homme was in Jordan! Hope you're having a blast.
As for your predictions, you're right. Pittsburgh looks like the team to beat. And I guess you'd have to be here to see the hubbub created over the series. It received extensive coverage, particularly on ESPN.
Although Detroit is the perrenial favorite, I still think Anaheim can take them. They've played tougher and smarter than the Wings at many times. Their balanced, young attack has seemed to stifle and confuse the Wings on more than one occasion. Even the defense has performed admirably. The Ducks will win in overtime Game 7.
I'm still blown away the B's lost... Barry Melrose was right again! He was the only ESPN hockey guru who said the Canes would win this series. I love that man.
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