2009-2010 NHL Playoff Predictions
TweetRead the first round predictions. Unassisted Sports went 5-3 in Round 1.
Read the second round predictions. Unassisted Sports went 3-1 in Round 2.
Read the conference finals predictions. Unassisted Sports went 0-2 in Round 3.
Read the Stanley Cup Finals Prediction from the staff.
The NHL season has almost ended, and the playoffs are just about set. There are only a few teams with a legitimate shot to go all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. I am going to tell you how the playoffs are going to end for each conference, and who will be lifting one of the most historic trophies in sports history in the end.
Phoenix Coyotes
The Western Conference has been pretty competitive all season. The Phoenix Coyotes have been one of the hottest teams as of late, going on a six game winning streak, which is tied for the best in the NHL. A big part of their success is attributed to Ilya Bryzgalov and his outstanding goaltending throughout the season. Unfortunately, relying on Shane Doan and Radim Vrbata to lead the offense through the playoffs is not something I am willing to bet the house on.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have not won a Stanley Cup since 1961 and will fall short yet again. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews lead the offense for this team and can make some noise in the playoffs. The goaltending, however, is not ready to do the same. Cristobal Huet has been inconsistent at best and his save percentage is below .900. He has not exactly been known as Mr. Clutch either. When Huet faces a top flight offense in the playoffs, expect some high scoring games with Chicago fans driving home upset.
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have been favorites for the last few years to win it all, but always seem to disappoint their fans. This year, Nabokov is going to have to prove he can stay consistent throughout the playoffs. With the help of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau, this team will make the Western Conference Finals. As good as the Sharks are though, they will fall just short of their ultimate goal in a 7 game series.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are looking to finally bring the Stanley Cup to Vancouver and are depending on the goaltending of Roberto Luongo. They have the best offense in the Western Conference, led by Sedin, Burrows, and Samuelsson. Vancouver is hoping this great offense is going to help Luongo get over the hump. The Canucks are going to beat out the San Jose Sharks in a 7 game series and end up in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 16 years.
New Jersey Devils
The Eastern Conference is not as competitive when it comes to the top teams. The New Jersey Devils made a push to be one of the top teams by trading for Ilya Kovalchuk at the trade deadline to help out their struggling offense. Having the best defense in the league and the great Martin Brodeur in net, they have a good chance to make the Finals. Unfortunately, even adding Kovalchuk to the team will not be enough offense to defeat the elite teams.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are trying very hard to get back to the finals and be the first repeat champions since the Red Wings did it in ’95-’97. Crosby and Malkin are playing at their elite levels as expected, but the wingers on the team are not stepping up to help out the cause. Also, as good as Andre Fleury was in the Finals last year, he is not playing up to his standards. This is why the Penguins are going to fall short of their goal of repeating.
Washington Capitals
Well, as most people would expect, the Washington Capitals are going to beat out the rest in the East and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s not exactly going out on a limb, but you can’t pick a long shot if you don’t truly believe in them. The Caps have 47 more goals then the second highest team in the NHL, a phenomenal statistic. The Caps have great players in all aspects. Offensively, Ovechkin has no equal, and having Semin and Backstrom always helps the cause. Mike Green is making a case for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, which rubs off on the rest of the defense. Their goaltending is not the best in the league, but Theodore and Varlamov have such a great offense in front of them that it should take off a heavy load to go through the playoffs.
The Stanley Cup Finals this year are going to be full of offense as the two best offensive teams will be there. The Capitals and Canucks are going to make the Finals entertaining, but the Capitals are going to finish out the season with Alex Ovechkin lifting the Stanley Cup at the end of game 5. As good as the Canucks are, this is not the year for their first Stanley Cup Finals victory. This Capitals team is one of the best teams we have seen in years, and I cannot see anybody knocking them out of the playoffs.
Man… Niemi has been confirmed for the playoffs for Chicago… I dont like their chances either but you may want to change up your little blurb.
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Thats a good point, but even with Niemi in net, I don’t see Chicago stop the high powered offense of Vancouver. I was on the edge of picking the Blackhawks to go to the Stanley Cup Finals, but I believe this is the year Luongo shows he has a clutch side in the playoffs. Thanks for the insight though, I always love to hear others opinions.
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i like your thoughts, but clearly you are not a canucks fan lol. every years is “the year” for the canucks and every year the second round marks the end for the canucks. there is no way the canucks can beat a team like detriot (who are peaking at the right time for the playoffs) or chicago in a 7 game series. the canucks are a one horse show, and we saw it 2 years ago with anaheim. after the second game, neidermyer and the rest of the ducks defense figured out the sedins and shut them down and we just could not score. period. it will happen again this year. they’ll win in the first round (unless they play detriot, in which they will lose) and then go out in the second. it always happens, and only true canuck fans, not naive ones, will agree with me.
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You gotta have some faith man. Canucks have a chance just as much as any other team. 15 teams flop in the playoffs, trust me other teams have the same problems.
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The Vancouver Canucks have everything towards them, they could go all the way. There forwards are on fire, there defence is awesome, but even if they make a mistake, Luongo will bail them out, just like he did with team Canada at the olympics. I think the Canucks will be a dangerous team for a long time, if they dont win the cup this year, they will deffinately win it in the next 5 years.
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I disagree with you @gocanucksgo. I too am a true canucks fan. Teams have tried all year to stop our offense, particularly the Sedins. Most have found they are just too good in the corners – lately they just try to limit the damage. If Lou can get his A game back this team could go far!!!!
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I don’t like the canucks as a playoff team. Luongo just doesn’t look like the goalie he used to be. He didn’t exactly look rock solid at the end of the season. I know the Sedins are red hot, but I just don’t trust them quite enough to lead the team. In my opinion, whoever can beat detroit is going to win if it’s not detroit itself. Their record going into the playoffs scares me because im not a wings fan. Thier finally healthy too. Essentially though, its up to howard not to choke. Same with Niemi from Chicago, but I like Niemi better. My prediction is a western team will win this year, but Boston may be a suprise to some people as well with goltending like Tuuku Rask’s and Tim Thomas’. Also I still don’t think this is Washington’s year-stanley cup finals, not the cup. Thier starter should be Varlamov not rotated. Theodore=choker. Predictions: Washington over Montreal 4-2. Pittsburg beats ottawa 4-2. Boston Beats Buffalo in 7. Philedalphia out 4-0. San Jose is sketchy but they will win in 7 aginst Colorado, then lose. Detroit over Pheonix 4-2. Vancouver over LA in 7. Chicago over Nashville 4-1. My toughest choice is Boston over Buffalo-it will be close. Random Comment: Calgary is not going to do well at all the next few years.
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In no way whatsoever am i a canucks fan.. but how could you say they have no chance against detroit. I like the capital/canuck cup although its longer than a 5 game series. The sharks are going to choke like they always do, Detroit vancouver western final canucks in 7. Hard to argue with caps out of the east however, Vancouver will win the cup i believe. The Sedin’s are on fire and have been clicking all year, Luongo has what it takes and will prove that this year
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i dont think the devils will make it, the caps are a sure thing.
i agree with gocanucksgo who says the red wings will win the west
since 1995 in the playoffs they:
made it 15 times
won the first round 12 times
won the west semis round 9 times
won the west finals 7 times
won the cup 4 times
with a playoff round win record of 29-9
they are hot now and they are hockeys mr. october look for them to surprise
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Well all of these arguments are pretty good, and thats the greatness about sports. I must say that whoever is right im going to give major props to whoever is correct, but im pretty sure Canucks vs Caps is the way to go. I do say that the west looks pretty competitive and could be a challenge for Vancouver, but if im right, I expect everyone to keep reading my predictions because obviously we know what we are talking about. Great arguments regardless though.
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Ok, be honest. Did any one pick the Caps to lose in the 1st round? my canucks pick is hanging on by a thread, but I think the Caps losing is a wash with 98% of the rest of the country.
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