ROUND 2

I went 7-1 in round one. The Wild took extra time but they stuck it to me. Here’s a look back at round one and a look ahead to round two.

Round 1 Recap –

Boston took care of business and handled the Red Wings in 5 games. They were helped by horrible call on Todd Bertuzzi (who never gets a call) but after a game one scare they were never really challenged. Milan Lucic absolutely imposed his will on the series. Detroit fans have to be happy watching their young guys compete and Zetterberg return. Detroit will be a lot to handle next year but Boston is looking like the beast of the East.  Montreal also took care of business sweeping overmatched Tampa Bay. After hearing Oh Canada sung in French the Lightning had no chance.

The Rangers beat the Flyers because they didn’t let Philly goadthem into their bullshit and make it a special teams game.The Rangers are and were the better team five on five Wayne Simmonds had a classic Simmonds hat trick , three feet from the net but was the Invisible man on game seven.

The Penguins got past Columbus after the Penguins specifically Geno had enough. The Blue Jackets made a big deal out of out hitting the Penguins but hitting means you don’t have the puck. Columbus had heart but not nearly enough talent. Marc Andre Fluery except for one flub had a strong series and seems too have shaken off his post season woes.

Out West the Kings showed their championship hearts with an historic comeback against the San Jose Sharks a franchise that never seems to have any heart. Goaltender Quick was hung out to dry in the first the games but the King’s defense tightened in the final four games and Quick looked like his old Conn Smythe self.

BBQ Bruce reared his clueless head for Anaheim by starting a goalie controversy before game one than healthy scratched the living legend Teemu Selanne but Anaheim Captain and possible league MVP Ryan Getzlaf,  puck to the face and all would not let Lindy Ruff’s overachieving Stars beat them. Lindy and the Stars will be back.

Minnesota and Colorado had the most exciting series in the opening round. Nathan McKinnon had a coming out party but putting up ridiculous Lemieux like numbers at home. Erik Johnson had a inspirational empty net save in game one but got caught up ice in game 7.

Chicago and St Louis played the most intense opening round series. St, Louis lost their Captain Backes to a questionable hit thrown by Seabook who was suspended for that hit. Steve Ott gave Duncan Keith a similar dirty hit but it didn’t stop the Norris trophy candidate form torturing the Blues. The Blues, who never score when it matters could not keep up with the Toews, Kane and Sharps of the world.

Round Two –

The West is very easy to pick. The Kings are rolling. They have four lines of scoring and grit and Quick between the pipes. It’s May so it’s time for BBQ’s chariot to turn into a pumpkin. The Ducks Dynamic Duo will win a few games though.  Kings in 6. The Blackhawks will have no problem with the happy to be there Wild. Blackhawks in 5.

Both East series are almost a pickem. Almost. Montreal is probably the second best built team in the East, the problem is Boston is the best built team in the East. Habs vs Bruins is hockey’s Jews vs Arabs so anything can happen but I say Boston squeaks by. Boston in 7. The Penguins and Rangers will play a fast, skilled and extremely entertaining series. The teams are pretty even so whichever team’s superstar wakes up will determine who wins this series. I’ll go with Sid because Nash has never woken up. Pens in 6.