Hockey: Playoff Preview Part 1

With the NHL playoffs starting tomorrow, what better place to start than right here? Playoff hockey, even when no one but hockey fans are watching, is in my opinion the best that sports gets. All of the intensity, passion, and grace of the sport increases tenfold in the playoffs, and a hundredfold come the Stanley Cup Finals.

I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about sudden death overtime in the playoffs, where games are extended by periods, where a single goal swings a series. Words just don't do justice. At least, I can't. Should... have brought... a poet...

I’ll make this playoff preview a two-parter. Tonight I’ll break down the 4 series getting underway on Wednesday, and tomorrow night I’ll break down the 4 series getting underway Thursday.

THE WEST

#2 Anaheim Ducks VS. #7 Minnesota Wild

It is hard to say that I’m not biased here. As a diehard Kings fan, I hate the Ducks. Furthermore, at the beginning of the season, I put $5 on the Wild to win the cup when they were going off at 50 to 1, which would result in a $250 payday. It is hard to pick against a team like the Ducks – they are the total package. Their offense is strong, and their defense features two of the best players in the game. But I’ve got a gut feeling – and if you were to argue that it isn’t a gut feeling and it is probably just wishful thinking, I’d agree with you – that the Wild are going to win this series. The Wild have such a strong defensive mindset, they don’t take penalties (something the Ducks do), and they simply aren’t going to let the Ducks get into their comfortable brand of fast break hockey. The Wild also have a better offense then they get credit for. Call me crazy, but I’m taking the Wild in a big upset.

MINNESOTA IN 6.

#3 Vancouver Canucks VS. #6 Dallas Stars

Plenty of series come down to goaltending, but this one takes the cake. All eyes are on Marty Turco; the man who has become well known for being one of the league’s best all season long, only to choke come playoff time. The fact of the matter is this; Dallas is a better team than Vancouver. They are. The Canucks are where they are all thanks to Roberto Luongo. Don’t want to take anything away from the rest of the team, but this guy has been an absolute powerhouse. I have no doubt that he will continue to do so in these playoffs. But in a 7 game series, the better team wins more often than not. And if Turco can just exorcise his demons – or Tippet can go with Smith if Turco reverts to old struggles – I think the Stars will put last year’s disappointing postseason behind them and take this series. Can Turco pull it off?

DALLAS IN 6.

#4 Nashville Predators VS. #5 San Jose Sharks

Rarely do you get a match-up featuring for #1 goaltenders, but you’ve got it here, as both of these teams have two goalies that would be starters on most teams in the league. Both teams don’t get any weaker when you leave the crease, both boasting impressive defensive corps and powerhouse offenses. It really should be an excellent series to watch. The question really comes down to what reigns supreme; speed (Nashville) or toughness (San Jose)? Not saying that Nashville doesn’t have toughness or San Jose doesn’t have speed, but these two teams each have their forte. New NHL be damned, come playoffs, I’ll take grit over finesse every time.

SAN JOSE IN 7.

THE EAST

#4 Ottawa Senators VS. #5 Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pens are the team that everyone is pulling for this year – and why not? They are chock full of young talent from the top of the roster to the bottom, with young ultra-superstar Sidney Crosby leading the way. I like this team as much as anyone, and would be less then surprised to see them make a splash in these playoffs. But the fact of the matter is, Ottawa has been to the playoffs consistently for the last few years, and have plenty of players on their roster that have playoff experience. Lack of experience; especially for young Marc-Andre Fleury, will lead to the Pens losing this series. Next year? Well, next year will just be scary.

OTTAWA IN 6.

In a non-playoff note, congrats to the Blackhawks on winning the lottery and stealing the #1 pick, as well as bouncing the Kings back to the 4th overall pick instead of the third. No, it isn't bad enough that the year the Kings go into full rebuild is the year of one of the NHL's weakest draft classes in a while. No... they had to go get screwed by the lottery, too. Being a bitter fan may not be professional, but neither is lying. And I'm a bitter fan.