2008 Playoffs

Random, I know, but I couldn't resist. Though it's a bit better here in Canada, when I talk to normal people about hockey they still go pretty quickly from thinking it's cute, to being impressed, to being genuinely concerned. This is mostly for my benefit.

Team Rankings

1) Detroit
Scarily complete team with effective, suffocating puck-possession system. Potential weaknesses in goaltending (shielded for most of the season) and the fact that they're the Red Wings.
2) Anaheim
Confident, dominant team with excellent playoff goaltender and best defensive unit in the NHL. Very physical but not as much natural offensive talent as some teams.
3) Montreal
Oozes offensive talent, up front and on the blue line. Well-coached for the regular season but the over-reliance on offense and a young goaltender could be deadly in the playoffs. Price is key and his confidence will likely be reinforced by playing the Bruins. Risky team.
4) Pittsburgh
Mix of terrifying talent and veteran toughness up front, but the defense is suspect and goaltending situation curious. Dangerous but vulnerable.
5) San Jose
Excellent two-way defense and solid goaltending, but top-heavy, underperforming forward squad needs to be addressed by otherwise good coach.
6) NY Rangers
Underperforming (and unlucky) talent at forward and goaltending supported by unspectacular but extremely solid defense. Numbers weaker than the team is, which has the potential to be very good.
7) Minnesota
Team carried by excellent goaltending and one-sided but effective system, as talent is thin at forward. Injuries to defense severely cripple them.
8) Dallas
Have been lucky (league-leading Sh%) to score as much as they have with forwards not playing well all season. Team can be effective within system if good defense and Turco perform.
9) Washington
Not very deep on forward or defense, but has some amazing players. Regular season numbers may not say much as they were in a terrible division, and also acquired Huet late. A flawed team that is carried by youth and enthusiasm.
10) Colorado
Based on players, should be higher; based on numbers, should be lower. Success depends on Theodore and if their painfully talented but painfully mismanaged players can find some sort of organization amongst themselves.
11) Philadelphia
Dirty team with decent depth and talent that put up good numbers in a good division. May have benefitted from regular season luck, and both injuries and a lack of sufficient defense could hurt them in the playoffs.
12) Calgary
A fairly balanced team that suffered from subpar regular season goaltending. Can come together to win games, but have been inconsistent and no one aspect of the team is very intimidating (though their defense should be).
13) New Jersey
Completely one-sided and successful mostly due to system, which relies on defense (have outperformed their talent level, to their credit) and Brodeur (still good but not quite as scary). Not enough offense to win.
14) Nashville
Despite good goaltending, have struggled against better teams. Injuries to their somewhat thin collection of talent can't likely be overcome by the hard work and solid team play that got them to the playoffs.
15) Ottawa
So much talent and so many problems, from dehabilitating injuries to poor performance from a talented defensive squad to a high-scoring system that's too reckless. The biggest flaw of all in the playoffs is their lack of goaltending.
16) Boston
They can't score (24th in GF), can't defend (over 30 shots against/game), are either dumb as dirt, poorly coached, or allergic to making clean plays, and unfortunately, every goaltender plays as hard as Tim Thomas in the playoffs. I hate the Bruins.


First-Round Predictions

Detroit over Nashville (5 games)
Nashville might be able to pull off a win if they work hard and Detroit loses focus.
San Jose over Calgary (6 games)
San Jose is a much better team that won't win any games easily. Could go to seven.
Colorado over Minnesota (7 games)
Minnesota doesn't have the ablity to win; Colorado has to start using it. If the Avs hit their stride it could end sooner, and if they don't Minnesota could will themselves a series win.
Anaheim over Dallas (6 games)
Dallas is pesky and frustrating enough to steal a couple of wins.
Montreal over Boston (5 games)
Best case scenario: the Bruins rally together to win one game after finally taking Tim Thomas' suicide threats seriously, then are shut out for the rest of the series. I hate the Bruins.
Pittsburgh over Ottawa (5 games)
Ottawa wins by out-scoring, and they can't outscore the Pens. They might not win a game.
Philadelphia over Washington (7 games)
Though Philadelphia injuries give the Caps an advantage, the Flyers may cancel that out by the end of the series. A Washington win would be nice but if the Flyers break their spirit at all (which they can) they won't pull it off.
NY Rangers over New Jersey (6 games)
The Devils will drag the series out longer than it should go just because they're the Devils, but they're done.

Back to life now,

Katie O'D