hecubus

ok, so i didn't sleep enough. can't sleep past 11 for some reason.

only two games today, neither of which particularly interests me. these were my picks for the first round:

Ye East:

#1 Ottawa Senators vs. #8 New York Islanders

As the season wound down, the only race worth watching was the Islanders/Rangers race for that last playoff spot. The only thing worth cheering was a sixth consecutive season in the dumper for the Blueshirts. Praise Be to Yahweh that the Rangers tanked their way out of the #8 spot, because the Islanders didn't put up much of a fight for it. Squandering two late-season games to the team that's chasing you (a 1-0 loss and a 2-2 tie) is not the kind of grit, pluck and moxie (all of which they'll be tested for after the race) that wins a playoff series. Much has been made of the Senators' playoff woes, and for good reason. Their advancement out of the first round last year owed more to the Flyers' ineptitude than Ottawa's own strength. Still, this is a tougher team than last year's, but all the important pieces are still in place. Hossa, Alfredsson, White, Chara, Redden, Lalime. And let's face it -- Patrick Lalime is a proven #1 goaltender, and he's never looked shaky in the playoffs. Can anyone say the same for Garth Snow? I'll give the Islanders two games on Dave Scatchard's and Jason Blake's shoulders alone.

Ottawa over New York 4 games to 2

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Boston Bruins

This is a no-brainer. About the only team that finished with less punch than the Islanders was Boston. A one-line scoring team (Thornton/Murray/Knuble -- and where the hell is Sergei Samsonov?) with no goaltending vs. a defensive briar patch with the best playoff goalie not named Patrick Roy. If Jeff Hackett gets the start and someone lights a fire under his arse, he could steal one game for Boston. Steve Shields won't be stealing anything but Gerry Cheevers' crying towel.

New Jersey over Boston 4 games to 1

#3 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #6 Washington Capitals

Ooo, a Southeast Division matchup! Who'da thunk the Lightning would be one with home ice here? Both these teams have potentially good goaltending, but Khabibulin's been on a tear when it's mattered. Kolzig, of course, has been tepid. Anyone remember when Jagr went on that scoring binge and actually made an appearance near the top of the scoring leaders list?Anyone seen him lately? Didn't think so. Oh wait, there he is, 19th on the list -- right behind Vincent Muthafuckin' Lecavalier and Vinny "Don't call me Vaclav" Prospal. Bottom line, the Lightning are hot at the right time, the Crapitals are not.

Tampa Bay over Washington 4 games to 2

#4 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #5 Toronto Maple Leafs

Now this is a playoff series. This will be an ugly affair, pockmarked with cheap shots, misconducts and double-minors for roughing. And that's just from the Toronto bench. The question here will be the same as always -- will Toronto come looking to break heads or to play
hockey? If they're spoiling for a fight, they might find the Flyers won't give as easily as Mike Peca's knee. Forget Donald Brashear, Keith Primeau won't tolerate any shit from Darcy Tucker. If Toronto decides to actually play some hockey, they could give the Flyers trouble. Not that Philly's doesn't have one of the best teams in the league on paper, but their playoff woes are legend throughout this land. I'm giving this series to Philly on whim alone, it really could go either way.

Philadelphia over Toronto 4 games to 3


Da West:

#1 Dallas Stars vs. #8 Edmonton Oilers

Once again, the Dallas/Edmonton matchup. Yes, poor Anson Carter. His disgust was written all over his face any time the camera panned across the Rangers bench. His loss will hurt the Oilers, but Radek Dvorak has the potential to be just as dangerous offensively. Look what happened to Alexei Kovalev when he got out of New York (and look what happened to him when he went back). Tommy Salo played admirably for them after a disappointing start (Belarus hangover, anyone?) and he can still steal games. However, Dallas is just too strong. This might be the deepest defensive corps in the league, and it'll show now when it matters most. One game for the Oilers just for the sake of the rivalry and the attitude they'll bring to this series.

Dallas over Edmonton 4 games to 1

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Here's your first-round sweep. Mike Babcock did a great job to get the Ducks here this year, and they've got a good team all around for the first time ever. Giguere had a Vezina-worthy season with them, but
none of this will be enough to even be a speed bump for the Red Machine. Steve Yzerman should sit this one out and get better, because the Wings won't need him here. Detroit's young players will do just fine with all the veteran talent laid out alongside them. The only question mark is Curtis Joseph, but he won't need to be a genius in this series.

Detroit over Anaheim 4 games to 0

#3 Colorado Avalanche vs. #6 Minnesota Wild

Once again: good work getting here guys, it's been fun, but don't expect to move on. The tag-team goaltending might've worked in the regular season, but don't expect it to win here. The only thing that might get them one game is the same thing that got them here in the first place -- the tangible willpower of Jacques Lemaire. Colorado is just too good.

Colorado over Minnesota 4 games to 1

#4 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 St. Louis Blues

Dan Cloutier vs. Chris Osgood. Does anyone else envision a series where both teams take all their shots on goal from the red line? St. Louis has been better this year than they've had any right to be, and now their goaltending issue is settled (Yes, I'm an Osgood apologist) and Pronger is back in the lineup. This matchup is exactly the reason Vancouver needed to hold on to the #3 spot. Still, I have trouble imagining St. Louis holding off the Naslund/Bertuzzi one-two punch for a whole series. Vancouver's not terribly deep, but it might not hurt them too badly in this series. This matchup could very well come down to whichever goalie gives up the half-ice blooper first.

Vancouver over St. Louis 4 games to 3


so, yes, i'm eating my words on the Caps/Lightning and Wings/Ducks series. Washington looks well on its way to a sweep, but Detroit went down 2 games to Vancouver last year and pulled out a series win. i expect they'll do the same this year.

i need food.