2012 Stanley Cup Predictions


  Well, another year of Stanley Cup Playoff Hockey is upon us.  Today's post is merely a column finalizing my opinions as to who makes it.  I've played my guesses on www.nhl.com in the bracket challenge, and have now relayed them to you.

Western Conference:
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Canucks vs. Kings

 The Vancouver Canucks boast one of the most formidable offensive lineups of the past few years.  The depth of their scoring ability from all lines really puts heavy pressure on any defense and goaltender duo.  Lately the Canucks have been struggling to close their fantastic successes, the most famous being the fallout of the Stanley cup final last year (which needs no mention).

  The Los Angeles Kings are a new team this year..while they started off cold, adding superstar player Jeff Carter as well as new coach Darryl Sutter, things are looking up for the Kings.  Their goaltender, while young, is maybe the brightest star, as he has already proven to the NHL that he's worthy of donning the pads for this team.

My Pick:  Vancouver in 6.  Vancouver is too well-rounded with a heavy offense, scoring defense and
two talented goaltenders.  While the upset is possible, its unlikely that the Kings will have melded enough to take a run through the gauntlet...especially when it begins with the presidents trophy winners.
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Blues vs. Sharks

  The St. Louis Blues have capped a good year.  Having rebuilt in the last couple seasons and providing a very diverse team, it was no surprise they would make a playoff run this year.  That being said, nobody expected them to lead the league for the duration that they did.  They have stayed at the top for most of the year, getting barely edged out for the western conference title.

  Ah...the Sharks.  My favorite team.  While they do sport a monstrous first two lines for offense, the Sharks have quietly turned into a defensive team.  By adding Burns, Galiardi, Winnik and Havlat to their lineup this year, they have taken their time in reworking their strategy. While their numbers haven't been hot, watching the last few of their games, you can see their hunger has returned.  If they can bring the scoring, prepare for a more dangerous shark game.  Their back end has tightened, so its up to the scorers.

 My Pick:  Sharks in 6.  The Blues have been falling off lately, and have no playoff experience.  With the Sharks heating up, it is once again not safe to go in the water.
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Coyotes vs. Blackhawks

  The Phoenix Coyotes have done it again.  They have pulled a mediocre team into the playoffs despite ownership issues and lack of big names.  Still, it was a collaborated team victory.  Whitney, who is getting too old to play at this level, managed to have the season of his life that culminated with attaining his 1000 point marker this year.  He was assisted by Radim Vrbata, Oliver Ekman-Larrson, and Keith Yandle, all who played a significant role in providing key offense.  Move over Shane Doan...these guys are better than you.

  The Chicago Blackhawks have been quiet as of late.  Their superstar scores have been lacklustre and it was not helped by Jonathan Toews' recent injury.  He is returning to the lineup, but the main focus for this scoring team should be protecting their less-than-stellar goalie, Corey Crawford.

My Pick:  Blackhawks in 6.  Chicago is simply too strong.  Their scorers will overpower Phoenix and the Coyotes simply do not have too many other strong points.  Good run Coyotes, but Chicago hasn't completely disappeared yet.
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Predators vs. Red Wings

  Definitely a controversial matchup.  The Nashville Predators are nothing like their opponents.  They focus on a supremely defensive mindset, perhaps more than any other team.  Their elite goaltenders and strong defensive core are essential to their winning style.  When you think of winning teams, Nashville is not your likely first thought.  Here's the thing: they quietly place high every year, beating odds in a game that more and more favors the scorers.  They managed to re-sign Rinne, Weber, and Suter to contracts, a feat that David Poile still does not receive credit for.  The hockey market there isn't very large either, but the Predators are worth watching.

  The Detroit Red Wings.  A name that consistently provides a solid hockey experience.  They have made the Playoffs for the last 21 years.  21.  That's sick.  They are always to be feared and constantly have a team worth looking at.  No need to say more.

 My Pick:  Predators in 7.  Not an easy choice, but their shutdown style should be enough this year to take down the struggling Wings.  When you add recently re-acquired Radulov to their list of scorers, and you consider young new talent like Matt Halischuk, Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith, I think this team will finally start driving their way into people's vision.
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Eastern Conference.

Rangers vs. Senators

  The New York Rangers have been somewhat absent in previous years.  It seems as though they do not want to rise to the level that was set by legends before them, such as Gretzky and Messier.  This year is a different story.  Since signing Brad Richards, the team has clicked. While Gaborik was a flunk last year, both in stats and fantasy pools, he is up among the top scorers for this year, and his team secures the number one seed.

 The Ottawa Senators were not a favorite for the playoffs whatsoever, but this year they are finding things to build on.  Offensive scoring coming from more than just their top line sure helps, but the biggest story worth mentioning perhaps is Erik Karlsson, who dominated the scoring for blueliners.  He  surely will be needed if the Senators have any chance of stopping Gaborik and the Rangers.

My Pick:  Rangers in 5.  It's too much for the Senators...they have done well to get here, but unless they can pull a rabbit out of a top hat, this looks like the Rangers' series to win.   Shut up Trevor.
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Bruins vs. Capitals

  The Boston Bruins return to the playoffs to take a stab at winning back-to-back cups.  While their team is more or less the same, it's been odd watching Thomas as of late.  Something has this guy bugged, but the Bruins' playoffs start and stop with him.

 The Washington Capitals are not who they were before.  Barely making the playoffs, they lack the intensity they had before.  Once a scoring powerhouse, they now make countless mistakes and do not receive too much help from Ovechkin, who's been partying pretty hard this year.

My Pick:  Bruins in 6.  While the Caps may give a bit of a fight, the Bruins are poised for this one.
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Panthers vs. Devils

  The Florida Panthers are quite the surprise team.  While we all figured Buffalo to be among the top of the teams, Florida started performing early on in the season and clinched a division title over Washington. Their team, while playing well, is still untested in the playoffs, and will take some huge rallying if they want to beat the red-hot devils.

  The New Jersey Devils are not at the bottom like last year.  With their scorers clicking, it could well be that we see them in the finals over other teams.  Kovalchuk, Parise and the rest of the Devils are showing good signs of playoff promise, but it's their backend that will be tested the most.

My Pick:  Devils in 5.  Florida can't defensively maintain the Devil's snipers, even though the cat's sure do deserve every bit of success they get.
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Penguins vs. Flyers

 Pittsburgh Penguins would be the team most anticipated for any glory in the next couple years.  With a decent netminder, strong defence, and a grossly deep offensive core, you would be stupid to think they are not contenders.

 The Philadelphia Flyers are maybe the next team anticipated for glory.  We all thought that the team wouldn't be nearly as good as last year when Carter and Gagne parted ways.  But Jagr's return coupled with the younger talent stepping up has led to an equally impressive team, and the two teams' rivalry should be exciting at the very least.

My Pick:  Penguins in 7.  While I really was thinking Philly was going to take this, I don't believe that will be the case upon further scrutiny.  Pittsburgh's lines have some of their top guys on their 3rd and 4th lines.  So when Philly is playing some more defensive forwards, Pittsburgh can just lean on them again. While Philadelphia will get their money's worth, I expect the Penguins to barely edge them out.
As I finish writing this, Philly wins in overtime.  Bets anyone?