Wednesday, Apr 09, 2003
mytelus.com's fearless NHL playoff predictions
(mytelus.com) ? Bragging rights in the office don't show up on the paycheque, but they're money in the bank at the water cooler. Of course, you can make us all look bad with your own NHL playoff predictions in our discussion forums.
Make your predictions here
Here's what our seven in-house 'experts' believe will happen in the Stanley Cup playoffs first round:
Kevin Woodley
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Stars in five
Marty Turco can make the league's best shooters look bad and the Oilers are prone to prolonged dry spells on offence. This drought won't last long.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Red Wings in five
Brett Hull may be the NHL's biggest golf nut, but the rest of the veteran Wings won't want to make any extra trips to the sunny West Coast.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Avalanche in six
Special teams might even things out a little, but even with Minnesota's strong systems play, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk and Alex Tanguay will cause fits for the undersized Wild defence.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Canucks in six
Vancouver hasn't had a prolonged slump all season and Dan Cloutier appears poised to outbattle Chris Osgood, but a coin-flip series could easily go the other way and may be decided by the health of Mattias Ohlund.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Senators in four
Anyone who thinks Alexei Yashin will wake up just because he's playing his old team hasn't been paying attention to his money-first track record. Too much firepower in Ottawa, too little goaltending in New York.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
Bruins in six
Someone has to get upset in the opening round. The Devils bowed out early to Carolina last year and the Bruins just got dynamic forward Sergei Samsonov back in the lineup.
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Lightning in seven
If Nikolai Khabibulin shuts the door early, how long will it be before Jaromir Jagr refuses to go back onto the ice at crunch time?
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Flyers in six
This one is like a battle of breakfast cereals: which flake will go soggy first? My money's on Darcy Tucker going snap, crackle and pop before Roman Cechmanek does.
Kevin Woodley is a Vancouver-based freelance writer who covers the Canucks for TELUS and the Associated Press. He wonders why anyone nicknamed "the Donator" in his regular season pools would be asked to pick up anything other than the bill.
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Randy Sportak
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Stars in five
It's a law that Dallas knocks Edmonton out of the playoffs every year. I think it has something to do with Oil prices.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Wings in four
Some laws of nature are wrong. This time the parts (Wings) are greater than the sum of the whole (Ducks)
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Avalanche in six
A good defence can't beat a great offence, great defence and great goaltender.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Canucks in seven
The team that choked gets to oust the biggest chokers to make the playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Senators in five
You don't honestly think Alexei Cash-in has what it takes to beat his old team. Especially with the Isles goaltenders.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
Devils in five
Marty Brodeur by himself in net is better than Steve Shields, Tim Thomas and Jeff Hackett combined.
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Capitals in six
There has to be an upset somewhere and the Caps are too skilled.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Flyers in five
Wishful thinking? Maybe. Then again, who can stand an insufferable Leafs fan when they're nothing more than this country's version of Cubs fans.
Randy Sportak is a regular contributor to mytelus.com and covers the Flames for the Calgary Sun
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Rob Klovance
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Dallas in six
The Oilers will outwork the Stars, and it still won't be enough. Marty Turco and more talent rule the day.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Detroit in five
Paul Kariya scores a highlight-reel goal to help win a game from the Wings on a so-so night for Curtis Joseph. And that's it.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Colorado in six
Tight, low-scoring series, but Patrick Roy and Peter Forsberg - who sets up one goal by heading the puck to Milan Hejduk - make the difference.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Vancouver in six
If Matthias Ohlund doesn't return, the Canucks may never get out of their own end and lose in six. But if Dan Cloutier outplays Chris Osgood, the Canucks move on to the next round.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Ottawa in five
The Isles eliminated the Rangers, for which we're all grateful. But they're no match for the Sens. Sticking it to Alexei Yashin never felt so good.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
New Jersey in five
Joe Thornton's heroics keep the games close. But hey, this is the Devils, who thrive on one-goal games and big saves by Martin Brodeur.
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Tampa Bay in five
Nikolai Khabibulin is good enough to take this so-so team all the way to the Stanley Cup final. Jaromir Jagr eyes the 'Bulin Wall... and chooses to focus his energies on the blonde behind the Capitals' bench.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Philadelphia in six
If this one goes to seven, bet on Eddie Belfour to pull it out for the Leafs. But injuries and negative energy from the rest of Canada will spell Toronto's demise by Game 6.
Rob Klovance is a former junior hockey player and current mytelus.com managing editor who scores great goals on blazing one-timers - in his dreams.
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Bill Wren
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Edmonton in six
It's not supposed to happen; therefore, it will. (Besides, it wouldn't be the first round without at least one big upset.)
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Detroit in six
Because they're Detroit. But Anaheim will scare them - briefly. Very briefly.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Colorado in four
Colorado will take this one too easily. Bad set-up for the next round.
Vancouver (4) vs.
St. Louis (5)
Vancouver in seven
This one's a coin toss, but I think the Canucks have the edge up front and in their own end.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Ottawa in four
The Isles are wobbly and Ottawa has too much strength. Watch for annoying claims of grandeur coming from the Nation's Capital afterwards.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
New Jersey in five
No real reason other than I like Jersey and have never liked the Bruins. (Sorry, Grapes.)
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Washington in six
I don't want to see games played in Tampa Bay on melting ice.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Philadelphia in 6
The Leafs need to be turfed quickly so the CBC doesn't drive us crazy with "rah-rah Toronto" nonsense. I think the Flyers can handle this request.
Bill Wren is an editor at mytelus.com who generally favours the longshot. His fondest hockey memory is being in an Edmonton bar and totally ignored by the entire staff for over an hour after Gretzky, Messier and Co. entered the room.
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Bo Gembarsky
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Edmonton in seven
Many are predicting defeat (again) for the Oilers. This time the Slicks finally upend their playoff nemesis in a gruelling campaign which goes the distance.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Detroit in six
Despite deadline-trade discovery Steve Thomas finding his scoring touch again, the Feathered Ones don't stand much of a chance against the defending champs.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Colorado in five
Minnesota has had an amazing run in the Western Conference this season, but Colorado is just too deep and talented for the Wild to tame.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Vancouver in six
Osgood is what the Blues needed in net, but even with Pronger back the defence will find it difficult to contain the Canucks' top line.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Ottawa in five
The President's Trophy winners are brimming with confidence; the Isles are just happy they made it to the postseason instead of the hated rival Rangers.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
New Jersey in six
The Devils are as consistent as ever, while the Bruins have looked very vulnerable lately despite their firepower and the emergence of Mike Knuble (!).
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Tampa Bay in seven
The Lightning appear to be more of a playoff-ready team than the Capitals, and Khabibulin gets the nod over Kolzig between the pipes.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Philadelphia in seven
The Maple Leafs will give it their all, but the Flyers should have the edge as Amonte, Roenick and Co. continue to light the lamp.
Bo Gembarsky is an editor at mytelus.com who will go to his grave believing the JET Line of Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson was the best of all time.
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Mike MacKinnon
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Dallas in five
The Oilers have heart by the truckload, but there's no reason to believe they can stop this year's edition of the Stars.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Detroit in seven
The Ducks aren't the laughingstock they used to be. They'll make the Wings work for their series win.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Colorado in six
Much is made of the Wild defence, but the Avs have firepower, playoff experience and monster momentum heading into this round.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Vancouver in seven
Tough call. History favours the Canucks, who won the only other playoff series between these two in 1995.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Ottawa in five
The league-leading Sens will be eager to put past playoff failures to rest, while the Islanders are lucky to have made it at all.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
New Jersey in seven
The Devils' first-round ouster last year was an aberration. Only their paucity of goals this season will give the Bruins a fighting chance.
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Tampa Bay in four
Both coaches are playoff rookies, so I'm going with chemistry: the Lightning are firing on all cylinders, while the Caps barely look interested.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Toronto in six
This series will boil down to goaltending. Roman Cechmanek is no match for Ed Belfour.
Mike MacKinnon is an editor and writer with mytelus.com who lives the sad, lonely life of a Canucks fan in Calgary. His neighbours hate him, no one will go to the bar with him to watch the game and he is shunned by children and pets.
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Gordon Andru
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas (1) vs. Edmonton (8)
Dallas in five
You don't trade away your leading scorer and best defenceman, and then go on a playoff run. Spirits will be Lowe in Edmonton.
Detroit (2) vs. Anaheim (7)
Detroit in six
The Ducks have the best chance for an upset but even Walt Disney wouldn't be able to save this fairy tale, as Cinderella goes down.
Colorado (3) vs. Minnesota (6)
Colorado in six
The smurfs will frustrate the giant, but in the end, Gargamel will win.
Vancouver (4) vs. St. Louis (5)
Vancouver in five
Cloutier defeats Osgood in this exciting series filled with speed, hits, fights and emotion.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Ottawa in four
No goalie, no defence, no speed, no chance. Plus, Ottawa added bite to its bark at the trade deadline.
New Jersey (2) vs. Boston (7)
New Jersey in five
Brodeur will be enough to stop the Thornton/Murray combo, and shaky goaltending/defence will be a welcome sight to NJ's weak offence.
Tampa Bay (3) vs. Washington (6)
Tampa Bay in seven
The 'Bulin wall is back up and it will win TB the round, in the East's most exciting series.
Philadelphia (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Philadelphia in six
Hitchcock has Philly finally playing D, and Belfour will not be enough to stop the likes of LeClair, Roenick, Amonte, Recchi, Primeau, Gagne...
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