Playoff Predictions Season 2

[LeafsGM (nt22)]

The Post Season is finally here and its time for the VHA's Quest for the CUP to begin. Here are the West and East Match -ups with VSN's predictions for the post season.

[glow=red,2,300]WEST[/glow]

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs Phoenix Coyotes (8)

While Coyotes make the post season they are set to face off with a another heated Hawk vs Coyote match up. It just does not look like Phoenix will be able to match up the power house Hawks. The Blackhawks really seem to be the team to beat, struggling to free themselves from the 1st round last year. The Hawks will blow by Phoenix in the 1st round with a sweep. As long as the Blackhawks can find the same success it had in the reg season they will have no issue this round.

Goalie Match Up Vokoun 2.67 89.89% vs Reimer 2.54 91.42%

Injures
Chi - Keith (Concussion 6 games)
Phx - C. Summers (abdominal strain 3 games)

Chicago in 4 Sweep by Blackhawks


LA Kings (2) vs St. Louis Blues (7)

Kings vs BLues does not seem like a 2 seed vs a 7 but it should provide some entertainment. The real duel will be between the pipes. Quick vs Rinne both elite goal tenders that could very well steal the series. LA will be without captain D Brown the Kings will be in tough with a under estimated Blues squad. Blues has beaten the Kings in the past and think they will clinch at home in 6.

Goalie Match up Quick 2.03 92.09% vs Rinne 2.50 91.52%

Injuries
LA - D Brown (consussion 28 games)
STL - M. Perreault (concussion 2 games)

St Louis in 6 thanks to a great series by Rinne


Edmonton Oilers (3) vs San Jose Sharks(6)

Beat up by injures on their defensive core the Oilers will have their hands full. Sharks are solid and have a chance to contend but in the end the Oiler's scoring power will be the deciding factor. Edmonton will not be eliminated this round due to its supreme sniping/scoring abilities.

Goalie Match up Rask 2.33 91.01% vs Mason 2.08 92.18%

Injuries
Edm - C. Potter (concussion 14 games)
- C. Teubert (concussion 18 games)
- Y Reindeau (mcl sprain 14 gamees)
- J. Petry (a herniated disc 45 games)

Edmonton Oilers in 5


Detroit Redwings (4) vs Dallas (5)

Easily one of the best west match ups. Dallas reinvenated itself with new GM Grish half way through the season. Grish has taken the team out of the basement and brought in some new players like the Sedins and Perry. Solid D crew includes Gardiner, Carlson and more. Markstrom has been another reason for success and leads the league in the reg season in GAA. Detriot is always solid, a little streaky at times but a great team always in the hunt. Detriot would have to be the favorite but Dallas could steal this one. It should be a great series. The tale of the tape will be who will step up for what team. It really may be which goalie steals the series.

Goalie Match Up - Halak 2.41 90.17 vs Markstrom 1.96 91.86

Injuries
Dal - S. Glennie (A herniated Disc 14 games)


Dallas in 6 Markstrom's coming out party

[glow=red,2,300]EAST[/glow]

Toronto Maple Leafs (1) vs Ottawa Senators (8)

Defending Champs the Senators gets their biggest rivals in Toronto for their first round match up. The Leafs have really taken over the East about half way through the season and with a addition of Malkin and already with Stamkos at the helm the
Leafs may have a healthy playoff. After a fantastic start the Senators have kept their head above water but barely. With Toronto chomping at the bit the Sens will have a hard time caging the Leafs.

Goalie Match up - Fleury 2.17 91.11% vs Andersen 2.84 89.03%

Injuires
Ott - P. Eaves (injured arm 7 games)

Leafs in 4

New York Islanders (2) vs Philadelphia Flyers (7)

NYI have been another team that has exploded about half way through the season. Once looking average now look like a top contender for the cup. Flyers have been pretty good all season long but now with the post season to begin its time to face the music. The Flyers have one major issue the Isles can score and usually at will. One of the Flyers that should be producing goals is on the shelf for the rest of the season and that is of course C. Giroux. Although the Flyers have a great team they will fall
short and fast to the Isles.

Goalie Match up Lehtonen 2.03 90.31% vs Bryzgalov 2.69 90.02%

Injuries
Phi - C. Giroux (mcl sprain 28 games)
NYI - J. Bailey (a bruised hand 6 games)
- L. Coture (a broken nose 3 games PLAYABLE)

Islanders in 4

Winnipeg Jets (3) vs New York Rangers (6)

Another battle of the net minders this will be a good one. Jets vs Rangers. While both teams are solid front and back it will all come down to who can get momentum and keep it. This series really could go either way. If the Jets can channel the home crowd and feel its energy it may just give them the edge. If one of the goalies decide to steal the show then its all over.

Goalie Match up Price 2.61 90.59% vs Lundqvist 2.55 90.37%

Injuries
NYR - C. Cizikas(mild concussion 2 games)

Rangers in 7

New Jersey Devils (4) vs Buffalo Sabres (5)

Another fantastic showdown this is be the best East match up followed closely by Jets and Rangers. New Jersey is a very talented team but I do not think they will be able to contain the Sabres. The Sabres have risen from the rankings ever since their new GM and the team is as confident as ever. It will be a hard
fought battle but in the end it will be MILLER TIME!

Goalie Match Up Crawford 2.72 90.01 vs Miller 2.01 91.72%

Injuries
NJ - D. Byfuglien (seperated shoulder 16 games)

Buffalo in 7

Stay tuned to VSN for the next round of playoff series as soon as the 1st round is completed. Remember to follow @vhanews for updates, scores, and the latest news.

[beaver88]

Well, you were right for my series. Didn't think a single second I would win it in 4 games.

Series Recap :

Game 1 : Tight as a virgin until 3rd period. Then, the dogs were set loose. Grabner put it through Breezy to make it 4-3. As Lehtonen was great at the other end stopping Gaborik's firepower, Lombardi hammered the fatal stake to the Flyers' heart. Heartbroken, the Flyers saw Couture put 2 more through their goaltender before the final horn. Result : 7-3 Islanders. NYI lead the series 1-0.

Game 2 : This one was the turning point of the series. It was again really tight (Armdog tied the game 3-3 with 11
seconds left after Philly took the lead with 25s) until Lombardi scored in OT to steal a game from the Flyers. Instead of tying the series, the Flyers saw a nearly earned 1-1 tie become a 0-2 deficit to overcome. Game result : 4-3 (OT) Islanders. NYI lead the series 2-0.

Game 3 : The series moves to Philadelphia. The Islanders brought a defensive gameplan to the game but, as soon as Grabner scored the first goal five-hole on the first NY shot, the goals kept coming. After 11:09 of play time in the 1st, the NYI lead was already 6-0 and Grabner had a hat-trick. The 2nd period was much closer as the two teams scored 2 goals each but the damage was already done as the Islanders were leading 8-2 going into the 2nd intermission. Anthony Stewart gave the final blow with 25s to do giving the Islanders a double-digits win. Result : 10-2 Islanders. NYI lead the series 3-0.

Game 4 : Leclaire start the game as Breezy is benched after playing horribly through Game 3. The Flyers didn 't want to go down easily and put up a fight until the end. Leclaire stood tall in front of the pair Grabner-Couture. But the Art Ross winner finally closed the deal with a backhand five-hole shot giving the Islanders the lead they needed to sweep the series. Everything was now in Lehtonen's hands. And he delivered as he got the first star of the game with 0,963 of save percentage. Game result : 2-1 Islanders. NYI win the series 4-0.

[DatsyukSnip]

Don't let me down Beaver, I got my money on you.

[BlackhawksGM (RUstYCaJoNeZ)]

Almost got your prediction right.

[DatsyukSnip]

Mar 26, 2013 9:00:56 GMT -7 BlackhawksGM (RUstYCaJoNeZ) said:

Almost got your prediction right.

He was eliminated?

[BlackhawksGM (RUstYCaJoNeZ)]

No, NT said i would win in 4, but I won in 5.