1st Round Over...Moving on to 2nd

With the 1st round over and since it has been a while since my last post, I'd figured it would be an appropriate time to write this piece on the 1st round.

Starting in the Eastern conference, the only real shock had to have been the Hurricanes over the Devils in seven games. I say this because of the fact that the Devils had goalie Martin Brodeur back and he is always a crunch time goaltender. However, in game 7, he did let up two soft goals that gave the 'Canes the eventual victory to move on. Carolina's offense did answer many questions on whether they can solve Brodeur and had no problem scoring.

Boston had no problem with Montreal sweeping them in four games. They basically just had to play four games because Montreal was non-existent. Goalie Tim Thomas was great and the B's offense was all it was along with their D. Montreal goalie Carey Price looked vulnerable in all four games and could be a reason why the Canadians got swept. He received a fake cheer after he stopped the puck so it was obvious to even their fans that he did not play well.

Washington and New York was a great series because it had everything. Great goaltending, highlight goals, and big saves. However, goalie King Henrik for the New York Rangers played poorly in game 5 and 6 that may have caused the New York Rangers to lose this series. The Rangers however did not show up for those two games as well.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia was an OK series. Pittsburgh came back to win in the final game to take the series in 6. Philly's offense looked lack-lustered and did not show up for the series. Pittsburgh looked like the team they did last year and could be a threat to move on.

The Western conference was the most exciting conference to watch. A number 8 upset a number 1 and the Chicago vs. Calgary series was great to watch.

Anaheim beat the number 1 seed San Jose Sharks in 6. San Jose should be the Harry Houdini of the playoffs because they disappear when it comes to the playoffs. Anaheim has hot goaltender Hiller who took the series over and could be the new J-S Giguere.

Detroit had no problem with Columbus and no one thought other wise. This could of been a chance for rookie goalie Steve Mason to shine but he did all season so there should be no blame his way. Detroit is just too good.

Vancouver also had no problem with St. Louis. I thought the Blues would have given the Canucks a harder series but Vancouver has goalie Roberto Luongo who is going to take over this playoffs.

The most exciting series to me was Chicago vs. Calgary. Each game was exciting to watch because every game was up in the air. Chicago did take the series in 6 and I think their young offense and goalie Khabibulin can carry them far.

Check back tomorrow to se my prediction for Round 2.

The Nuch

Please Don't Mess This Up

After being granted the no. 1 pick for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in June in Montreal, the New York Islanders hold their fate in either highly touted offensive Canadian John Tavares or two-way defenseman Victor Hedman (Sweden)...For most Islander fans, the logical pick is to go with forward John Tavares...1) because he is the best player in the draft and could put the Isles back on the map...2) the Isles need that young stud to build a team around and 3) HE IS THE BEST PLAYER!!....

Over the past couple of years, the Islanders have made the draft more of a head ache instead of something enjoyable...Take for instance last years draft...The Isles had the number five pick, and could of selected Boston University standout Colin Wilson...But that would of been to easy of course...They traded the 5th pick to to Toronto for the 7th pick and then traded that pick to Nashville for their spot which was 9th....Passing up on defenseman Luke Schenn (TOR), the best European in the draft Nikita Filatov (CBJ) and Wilson (NSH)...The Isles got a forward in Josh Bailey who could be good due time...

This isnt the first time the Isles made people scrath their heads on Draft day... In the 2003 draft, holding the 15th pick, the Isles passed up on now NJ Devils Zach Parise, Duck's Ryan Getzlaf and Flyer's Mike Richards...Hows is their pick Rob Nilsson doing, I don't they traded him to Edmonton for Ryan Smyth... who the Isles could not resign in the offseason...

Now lets not get started on the year 2000...OK, they got goalie Rick DiPietro who is a fan favorite on Long Island...BUT THEY HAD ROBERTO LUONGO!!!! The Isles did not need a goalie...Lets take a look at who they passed up...Senator's Dany Heatly, Wild's Marian Gaborik, and Kings Alex Frolov....The Isles got nothing for Luongo either...They got forwards Mark Parrish and Oleg Kavasha...All you need to do is say Kavasha to an Islanders fan and they run for the hills...

Lets not mess this up Islanders front office...You got the no.1 pick and use it wisely...Get Tavares....Dont trade the pick for other picks, but better yet...DRAFT HIM!!

The Nuch

2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The end of the regular season in the NHL is the most exciting time for hockey fans and other sport fans because it means only one thing... we get to embrace the Stanley Cup Playoffs...The 82 game schedule is finally done and now the remaining 16 teams only have to win 16 games to win the most prized trophy in all of sports...the Stanley Cup....The eight teams from the east and the eight teams from the west buckle down and play with that do-or-die attitude which makes these playoffs more popular to watch than the other three major sports....The Detriot Red Wings are still in it which means we can have a repeat in champions but Im not going to go to far down that road and predict that winner just yet....Here are my first round predictions for both the Eastern and Western conference...

East

1. Boston vs 8. Montreal - The Boston Bruins seemed to be cursed when facing the Canadians in the playoffs but Boston is way beyond Montreal this year...Boston is all-around better than Montreal and have the scoring, defense, and goalie to pull this series out...Montreal's goalie Carey Price is not having the season Canadian fans wanted out of him and I think that will be the achilles heel for them...Boston is the top see for a reason and will win this series...Boston in 5

2. Washington vs. 7. New York Rangers- The rangers sneaked their way into the playoffs with big wins toward the end of the season to jump ahead of Montreal and the pressing Florida Panthers...The Rangers need their top guns to come out in Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Nik Antropov if they want to move on to the next round...Washington, like Montreal, does not have the goaltending to make them as dangerous in these playoffs...Alex the great cant do it all by himself...Rangers in 6

3. Carolina vs. 6. New Jersey- The Devils did not have future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur for most of the season but still found ways to win (thanks to AHL goalie Scott Clemmensen)....Devils forward Zach Parise lights the lamp with help from guys like Jamie Lagenbrunner and Travis Zajac, and with a playoff hungry Brodeur, the Devils can be dangerous...Carolina rides the wave of Eric Staal and if goalie Cam Ward plays the way he did in '06, Carolina can be just as dangerous...I like Carolina just for the fact that the Devils D has be non existent...Carolina in 7

4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Philadelphia- The battle of Pennsylvania at first was not a matchup everyone thought could of happened since Pittsburgh was playing so poorly and Philly was playing so good...However, the beauty of hockey draws these two rivals together in a first round matchup...Both of these teams have great offense and goaltending...However it comes down to two men....No no Crosby and Malkin, but Jeff Carter and Daniel Briere...If these two are clicking Philadelphia should have no problem...Philly in 6

West

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim- San Jose just wrapped up the President's Trophy for the first time in team history and should be the team to beat in the west...The have the key ingredients to win it all with the scoring and goaltending...Anaheim squeaked their way in to gain the last spot with very good play in the last couple of games and should play San Jose tough...San Jose is too good though and should take this series...San Jose in

2. Detroit vs. 7 Columbus- This is bittersweet for Columbus fans...Their team makes the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they draw the defending Stanley Cup champs in the first round....We all know how good Detroit is with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsuyk but Columbus does have soon to be Rookie of the Year goalie Steve Mason...Detroit is too much though for Columbus...Detroit in 5

3. Vancouver vs. 6 St. Louis- Who would ever of thought of St. Louis to jump in but they went from the dweller to 6th in a blink of an eye...With the way they are playing with forwards David Backes and the return of Paul Kariya, St. Louis can make this series interesting...Vancouver has star goalie Roberto Luongo and the Sedin twins which can carry them through...Vancouver in 6

4. Chicago vs. 5 Calgary- Chicago makes the playoffs for the first time since the 2000s and can thank the pair of John Towes and Patrick Kane for that...Goalie Nik Khabibulin played very well for the Balckhawks in net this year and can be the x-factor since he did win a cup in '04....Calgary also has a x-factor goalie in Mika Kipersouff who can take his team as far as he can...Jarome Iginla and newly arrived Oli Jokinen help Calgary as well...Calgary in 7

The Nuch