Ice Hockey Playoffs- Welcome to the NHL!

Naber koç! So it’s everyone’s favorite time of year again. What time of year is that, you ask? Champions League and Europa League semi finals? NO! It’s time for the playoffs the NHL. That’s right, the NHL- ice hockey…the greatest game on Earth!

Ice Hockey truly is the fastest team sport in the world and it has everything; the teamwork of basketball, the precision of football, the speed of the 100m dash, the hitting of American football, and even bare knuckle fights! It has the best aspects of every sport, all woven into one nice package. It is so intense that during games, players have been known to lose 15 pounds (6.8 kg) as they sweat so profusely. At the very bottom of this post I have linked to a YouTube video that shows some hockey highlights, all of which are very normal and much of the content is very likely to be seen in any game. It is not extraordinary footage, just normal hockey action!

Whether or not you know anything about ice hockey or the NHL, I am going to tell you all you need to know about this year’s first round playoff matchups so that you can get to know the game, and maybe even make a bet or two if you so desire! Note that all the series will be a best-of-seven format, similar to the NBA. The playoff predictions for the first round, starting this Wednesday (00:01 Thursday, GMT) are below:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Washington Capitals vs (8) Montréal Canadiens

Season series: Tied 2-2

This year’s edition of the Washington Capitals is a truly unique offensive juggernaut. With 318 goals scored in 82 games (46 more than the second highest scoring team) this is a side that really knows how to put the puck in the net. Their roster includes the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, the 24 year old Russian phenom who is without a doubt the best pure goal scorer in the world. They also get a scoring touch from the likes of 22 year old Swede Nicklas Backstrom, and others such as Alexander Semin and scoring defender Mike Green. These men make this Capitals team a side to be feared offensively. The Capitals have been compared to the Edmonton Oilers teams of the mid 1980’s, the last team to win a Stanley Cup largely with offensive talent, as certainly, Washington’s defense, goaltending, and toughness is lacking. While that might pose some problems in later playoff rounds, it should not be a huge factor in this series. They should easily dispatch the Montréal Canadiens, hockey’s most legendary franchise, whom have goaltending issues of their own.

Prediction: Washington in 4

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Philadelphia Flyers

Season series: 5-1 Philadelphia

For some reason, the 7^th place Flyers had the number of their divisional rivals, the New Jersey Devils, all season long. This matchup should be intense, as these two teams are located a short drive down the highway from one another. With the Flyers only squeaking into the playoffs in a dramatic shootout victory over the New York Rangers on the very last day of the regular season, it seems they should have momentum on their side. However, they have goaltending issues, as their current keeper, Brian Boucher, is their third string goalie. Add to that the offensive firepower of the Devils, with players like American Olympian Zach Parise as well as Russian superstar Ilya Kovalchuk, and you know the Devils are dangerous. Their goalkeeper, French Canadian Martin Brodeur, is the best goalie in the history of the NHL. And though they have some newfound offensive upside, the Devils are still an elite defensive team. Plus, with three championships in the past 15 years, New Jersey is very experienced.

Prediction: New Jersey in 6

(3) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) Boston Bruins

Season series: 4-2 Boston

A Stanley Cup favorite to start the season, Boston’s chances now look shaky at best. Their performance will largely hinge on the play of big 6’9”, 255 pound (206cm, 116kg) Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Chara, whom has typically been the best defenseman in the NHL over the past few years. That having been said, he has had a very mediocre season this year. If he can elevate his performance level, Boston’s chances rise. Boston will also need good goaltending from Finnish keeper Tuukka Rask, whom has won the starting netminding job. Coincidentally, goaltending is what could very likely win this series for Buffalo, as they have goaltender Ryan Miller, the US Olympian who is the pick of many to win the Hart Trophy as the MVP this year. Couple Buffalo’s stellar goaltending with the fact that Boston scored less goals than any of the 30 teams in the NHL this year, plus the fact Boston’s best offensive player, Ottawa native Marc Savard, is out for the season with an injury, and Boston’s chances seem slim indeed.

Prediction: Buffalo in 6

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) Ottawa Senators

Season Series: Tied 2-2

This is likely the most difficult series to predict, one that pits last year’s Stanley Cup Champions, the Penguins, against the Ottawa Senators. This is difficult to predict for one main reason: Ottawa’s inconsistency. They are almost impossible to predict; in February, they went on an 11 game winning streak, something that is extremely rare and almost never seen in hockey. Then, in March, they went on a streak where they only won once in nine games. If Ottawa plays like they did in February, they could sweep this series. If they play like they did in early March, they will lose every single game 5-0. However, given the fact that Pittsburgh are the defending champs, plus the fact they have the league’s top goalscorer and Canadian Olympic hero, 22 year old Sidney Crosby, as well as excellent goaltending from Marc-André Fleury, Pittsburgh should have the edge. Ottawa is the team I support, so it pains me to say it, but I think Pittsburgh’s experience from last year will prevail and it might quickly demoralize a sensitive Ottawa squad.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) San Jose Sharks vs (8) Colorado Avalanche

Season Series: Tied 2-2

Colorado is one of this season’s Cinderella stories; picked by many experts to finish last in the NHL, this group of young players started the season with a bang and managed to get themselves a playoff spot. Add to that the fact that San Jose are well known for being choke-artists in the playoffs, often losing to lower seeded teams, and one might believe that the Avalanche’s Cinderella season may continue. That would be false, however. Big Joe Thornton is due to have a breakout playoff season, and since coming over from the Senators, disgruntled right-winger Dany Heatley has continued to score up a storm, as his norm. Colorado will gain valuable experience in this series for their young squad, but nothing more. San Jose will lose a couple of games and give their fans a bit of a scare, but they will take this series in the end.

Prediction: San Jose in 6

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs (7) Nashville Predators

Season Series: 4-2 Chicago

Chicago is a very young and extremely talented team that will be looking for success now and well into the future. With 16 Canadian players and three Americans, this team is primarily made up of North Americans, who are renowned for really turning up their game in the postseason. Chicago has an offensive that includes an excellent playmaker in Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews, in tandem with a great defensive corps that includes the likes of Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, and Brian Campbell. Consequently, Nashville will be in tough. Nashville had trouble scoring this year, only having one player, Swede Patric Hornqvist, cracking the 30 goal plateau. The X-Factor in this series could well be Nashville’s Finnish goalkeeper, Pekka Rinne, as he is quite possibly the most underrated goaltender in the world right now. Nevertheless, Chicago’s firepower will be too much for the Predators.

Prediction: Chicago in 6

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Los Angeles Kings

Season Series: 3-1 Vancouver

Vancouver is the one of the Stanley Cup favorites this season. They have Canadian Olympian Roberto Luongo as a goalie, arguably the best goalie in the world today (Ryan Miller in Buffalo being the only exception). On offense, Vancouver has the identical twins from Sweden, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, whom have emerged as offensive powerhouses; Henrik winning the Art Ross trophy as the league’s top scorer with 112 points this season (29 goals, 83 assists). However, captain and goalie Luongo hasn’t had his greatest or most consistent year and Vancouver’s defense is mediocre for a third place team. If Los Angeles can neutralize the Sedin twins, a job that can potentially be done by 20 year old defensive sensation Drew Doughty, the Canucks might be in tough. Los Angeles is a young and dynamic squad, but they have shown they can get the job done. Players like goalie Jonathan Quick, as well as guys like Dustin Brown, Wayne Simmonds, and Jack Johnson have all flown under the radar but have proven they can be very consistent and extremely effective NHL players. Some might call me crazy here, but the Kings should be able to upset the Stanley Cup favorite Vancouver Canucks.

Prediction: Los Angeles in 7

(4) Phoenix Coyotes vs (5) Detroit Red Wings

Season Series: Tied 2-2

I have already discussed Colorado as being the Cinderella story of the NHL, but Phoenix may actually have them beat on this front. Phoenix is a team that everyone expected to perform poorly- they are faced with bankruptcy, a possible move to another city, and a roster that many people knew little about; no one expected anything from this squad. Yet, they performed well beyond anyone’s expectations. Unfortunately for them, they will face Detroit in the first round- Detroit, who is probably the most dangerous 5^th seeded team the NHL has ever seen. Detroit had a horrible start to the year but they are on fire heading into the playoffs. And what they lack in toughness they certainly make up in experience. Their list of experienced champions includes the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Maltby, and the legendary defender in Nicklas Lidstrom, among others. The only question mark here could be goaltending- Phoenix’s Ilya Bryzgalov is far and away the better goaltender to Detroit’s Jimmy Howard. But Howard has had a great season and if he continues the trend, look for Detroit to make a deep playoff run again this year. Given the NHL are now actually the owners of the Phoenix Coyotes (only in hockey!) look for Phoenix to get favorable calls from the officials. It will not matter in the end, as Detroit will overwhelm the Coyotes.

Prediction: Detroit in 6

Here is some hockey footage, for those of you not familiar!