Ist Round thoughts 2nd rounds picks

I told you 2015‘s Opening round winners’ were the toughest to pick since in a decade. I went 5 of 8 my worst in years. A bounce here a bounce there things would be different but that’s what all the losers say. The next round should by easier because round 1 is for upsets rounds 2-4 are for champions. First though a few thoughts on round 1.

The Rangers dispatched the Penguins in 5 games. The games were close but the series never was. Rangers played as hard as they needed too. Geno Malkin did absolutely nothing 0s across the board but Marc Andre Fleury hopefully won over his critics with an outstanding series. The Rangers will need to play better in round 2 especially Nash and Kreider. Getting Klein back on defense will help lesser how many times Boyle and Yandle are scared in the corners.

The Capitals/Islanders series was by far the most entertaining in round 1. Both teams, every player finished every check, usually viciously every game. It was secondary scoring that was the difference as Washington had a little more skill and just as much grit as the Islanders. Troy Brouwer knocking Calvin de Haan out left New York weak on the back end and it showed in Game 7.

Montreal took care of business against the Senators. Ottawa pushing it to 6 gave the Canadiens just enough of a scare to help them down the road. The Ottawa fairy tale ended when the Hamburgler’s did.

Detroit had Tampa Bay beat and let them back in. Just like last year when they let Boston off the hook.  Mrazek was awesome for Detroit as was Datsyuk and Tatar. The Niklas Kronwell suspension hurt but it should not have gone that far. Tampa Bay needs to thank their lucky stars that Tyler Johnson didn’t disappear like Steven Stamkos did. Ben Bishop Looked scared in net and was lucky when the puck hit his big body.

Out West Anaheim swept Winnipeg which was a shame because each game was a war. The big bodies on both teams were crushing each other. Anaheim’s goalie Frederick Anderson played better than Winnipeg’s Ondrej Pavelec but really came down to the Duck’s experience. They scored clutch goals and didn’t take stupid penalties. Anaheim’s Dynamic Duo of Getzlaf and Perry looked like they were waiting since October for that series and Kesler looked like has was waiting since 2012.

The Calgary Flames kept their Cinderella season going by beating the Vancouver Canucks.  The Canucks new found depth and grit didn’t bring it in the playoffs. The Flames top line of Monahan, Hudler and Johnny Hockey looked unstoppable at times. I don’t understand the Canucks not playing Vrbata with the Sedin twins but in the end the Canucks D looked old and the Flames wanted it more.

The Chicago Blackhawks toyed with the Nashville Predators. You knew Chicago was going to score whenever they really had too. Chicago was flip flopping goalies and they never seemed concerned. That’s Championship ped

igree and the Hawks have it. Toews, Kane (who came back from injury firing on all cylinders) Hossa, Sharp, Keith the names go on and so will their quest for the Cup. Nashville has nothing to hang their heads about the Hawks are loaded. The Predators played without their leader and super defenseman Shea Weber and watching Seth Jones take his minutes showed they have another super defenseman

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The St Louis Blues are the ones who should hang their heads. What an absolute disgrace. Don’t blame the kid goaltender Allan. It’s St Louis’s rotten core. Their overrated Canadien Olympic defense and overrated top line Backes -7, Oschie -10, Steen -5 . The Blues always claim they needed secondary scoring well Tarasenko got a hat trick and more. Taking nothing away from the Wild though, goaltender Devan Dubnyk was outstanding and Zach Parisse is a Prince among men.

On to round 2.

Rangers/Capitals

I love the way the Capitals play but the referees won’t let them play that way against the Rangers. The refs will make it a special teams fest and King Hank and the Blueshirts will eek out the series. Remember the Capitals defensemen took a beating against the Islanders and the fresh Rangers D are adding Klein Rangers in 7

Canadien/ Lightning

Lightening star Stephen Stamkos is in a slump so the last thingg he want to do is face the best goalie in the NHL Montreal’s Carey Price. The worst goalie still playing is Tampa’s Ben Bishop. He got upset by the tactics of noted rabble rouser Tomas Tatar ( sarcasm) what’s he gonna due with Monteal’s angry midgets) Gallagher, Galchenyuk) Throw out the regular season  Canadiens in 6

Blackhawks / Wild

Devan Dubnyk had an amazing year. He’s going to need to have a super amazing series against the Hawks if the Wild have a chance. The Hawks come in waves and I don’t see the smallish Minnesota defense being able to withstand the constant pressure. Matt Cooke can only take out so many knees. Hawks in 6

Ducks /Flames

Everyone in Canada wants the Flames to win. Sorry I don’t think even BBQ Bruce can mess this one up. Ducks in 6