Our Magic Crystal Ball

April 15, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Normally, I do an in depth playoff preview complete with picks. This year, I don’t have as much time. So, I’m going to give an abbreviated look into my magic crystal ball of what should be a fascinating 2009 postseason that features some awfully competitive opening round match-ups.

There’s so much parity that almost anything wouldn’t surprise me. That’s how evenly matches some of these teams are. Our Devil blogger Hasan couldn’t even make a prediction on who will prevail between his team and the Hurricanes. And I can understand why. It should be a very good series as too should the Battle of Pennsylvania. Hard to believe the Flyers and Pens will start off the first round. That’s how great these playoffs could be.

Whoever advances and wins it all this year will truly earn the mettle of Stanley Cup champion in our book!

Here’s my quick look into the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs which open tonight with the Rangers and Caps doing battle in DC:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE QTRS

(1) Bruins over (8) Canadiens in 5-Too much firepower and an awful lot of incentive to exact revenge for a deep Boston club capable of winning it all.

(2) Caps over (7) Rangers in 7-Lundqvist could make this interesting but does anyone really see Ovechkin letting a better Washington club lose in the opening round once again?

(3) Devils over (6) Canes in 6-This is a toss-up but Eric Staal’s comments will be posted and the Devs sure would be a real disappointment if they lost this one. My gut tells me the Devils’ experience will get them through.

(5) Flyers over (4) Pens in 6-It’s hard to pick against Malkin and Crosby but I really like this Flyer team and believe as long as Biron is steady, they could be a tough out.

CONFERENCE SEMIS

(1) Bruins over (5) Flyers in 7-It’ll be close but I like the B’s D and goaltending better. Chara, who deserves his first Norris will be instrumental.

(3) Devils over (2) Caps in 6-I just can’t see the vast experience of the Devils losing this series even though the Caps offense could give them fits. I feel Brodeur could steal it.

CONFERENCE FINAL

(1) Bruins over (3) Devils in 6-These are both quality teams and really were the best two teams in the conference all year. I see a lot of tight one-goal games. Could it be similar to 2003 when the Devs upset Ottawa? Maybe but their blueline isn’t as good. The B’s depth should win out.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE QTRS

(1) Sharks over (8) Ducks in 6-This could be some battle as these bitter California rivals despise each other. There was a near brawl at the conclusion of the last game which the Sharks won. That top Duck line will test the Sharks but they should have the edge in net and more scoring. There’s also a lot at stake for them.

(7) Blue Jackets over (2) Red Wings in 6-Most will point to Detroit’s supreme talent which won them a Cup last year but their goaltending is a mess and the D has been up and down all year. Plus the BJ’s played them well during the season. Steve Mason gives them a decided edge and I like that D. Nash could really become a star now that he’s in. The Jackets also have tons of grit for a first-time playoff team. That could only help.

(3) Canucks over (6) Blues in 6-It says here that Chris Mason could make this interesting as he’s been unreal for the surprising Blues. They also can score goals. I see these games being wide open but would you really go against Luongo here?

(4) Blackhawks over (5) Flames in 7-This shapes up to be a tremendous opening round. Chicago’s finally back in after seven years and they have a lot of talent and Khabibulin’s been very good all season. He owns Calgary too which could get into their heads. The Flames aren’t playing well but will be a tough out. I like the mix on Chicago with Kane and Toews and feel they can do something.

CONFERENCE SEMIS

(1) Sharks over (7) Blue Jackets in 6-It’s asking a bit much for the Jackets to knock off the two top seeds. Thornton and Marleau carry them through.

(4) Blackhawks over (3) Canucks in 6-As long as Patrick Sharp is healthy and Bulin matches Luongo, the Hawks can make a run. I also love Duncan Keith on that blueline and expect him to shine.

CONFERENCE FINAL

(4) Blackhawks over (1) Sharks in 6-Most of the year, I really felt this was San Jose’s season but there are again questions about them. Can Nabokov deliver and will Boyle and Blake make a difference? There’s something magical going on in Chicago and I just don’t feel confident in any of the top 3 seeds to reach the Final. So, I’m going with a darkhorse.

STANLEY CUP CHAMPION

(1) Bruins over (4) Blackhawks in 5-An Original Six classic featuring two teams that haven’t won in quite a while. How great would that be for NBC? Boston has impressed me more than anyone and I really feel this is their time.

Conn Smythe-Zdeno Chara, Boston