STANLEY CUP - Round 1 Update

Entry posted by Voltex May 11, 2013

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As a refresher, on May 1st these were my predictions for the first round:

East

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. New York Islanders (8) - Penguins in 6.

Montreal Canadiens (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (7) - Canadiens in 7

Washington Capitals (3) vs. New York Rangers (6) - Rangers in 7

Boston Bruins (4) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (5) - Could go either way, but I'll say Maple Leafs in 7.

West

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (8) - Blackhawks in 5

Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (7) - Ducks in 7

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. San Jose Sharks (6) - Canucks in 6

Los Angeles Kings (4) vs. St. Louis Blues (5) - Kings in 6

Now, below, here they are updated, mostly my thoughts on what could occur in the series that haven't ended yet (I'm not gonna be stupid and just switch my predicted winners, because that'd be sore losing)

East

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. New York Islanders (8) - Penguins in 6 - This prediction could still come true, but in order for it to do so, the Penguins must win tomorrow's game. Do I think they can do this? Absolutely. However, I anticipated the Islanders putting up a good fight, and although they've done so already, I do think they are capable of pushing a game seven, and possibly even eliminating the Penguins. Tomorrow night will tell.

Montreal Canadiens (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (7) - Canadiens in 7 - WRONG. Senators defeated the Canadiens last night, winning the series in five games. To be honest, I knew this series was lost by game two, but again, wasn't going to just change stuff on the record books. That said, I think the Senators will be lucky to get matched with a team they can beat in Round 2.

Washington Capitals (3) vs. New York Rangers (6) - Rangers in 7 - As I write this, the two teams are tied 1-1 in the second period of game five in a series that is tied 2-2. Despite the blitz of the Capitals throughout April, I believed and still do believe that the Rangers have the firepower to take them down. I don't believe the Rangers can win the cup, but they can certainly defeat this team that should be executed for removing the Jets from the playoffs.

EDIT: After the Capitals won game five, they are up 3-2; I still believe that the Rangers might be able to win the series, however.

Boston Bruins (4) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (5) - Could go either way, but I'll say Maple Leafs in 7. - As I write this, the Maple Leafs also lead 1-0 in the second period of game five. However, the Maple Leafs are currently down 3-1 in this series. If they do not win tonight, they will be eliminated. I will cop out slightly here and point out that I originally said the series could go either way in my first prediction; the Maple Leafs victory was my Canadian bias coming out. I do believe though that if the Maple Leafs win tonight, they might be able to push game seven. After that, who knows.

EDIT: Maple Leafs won and are now down 3-2. Who knows, honestly...

West

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (8) - Blackhawks in 5 - 100% correct. Gosh darn, can you believe it? Don't worry, the Canucks and Canadiens proved me wrong enough to compensate for this, but man, it is nice to know that I really understood the Blackhawks (don't expect this again). It was five simple games, and I could see the Blackhawks making the final round, if the Sharks don't catch them on the way.

Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (7) - Ducks in 7 - As I write this, the Red Wings lead 1-0 at the end of the first period of game six in a series that the Ducks currently lead 3-2. If I'm off by a game and the Ducks win tonight, I'll consider it no big loss. I got the winner right, and that's what matters. However, I can still see the Red Wings pulling off a victory tonight only to fail in the grand finale.

EDIT: Red Wings won, and the series is tied 3-3. Prediction can still stand.

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. San Jose Sharks (6) - Canucks in 6 - 100% WRONG. I honestly did not see this one coming - the Canucks being swept? But issues with the coach and which goalie to play let me know by Game 3 that the series was lost, and it was only a matter of time. Luongo should have been in net games three and four. Maybe it would've changed the fortunes of the team, it probably wouldn't have, but at least the Canucks look to be heading towards a restructuring they desperately need. If the Sharks continue to play like this, I could see them finally winning the Stanley Cup they deserve.

St. Louis Blues (4) vs. Los Angeles Kings (5) - Kings in 6 - In just over an hour these two teams will meet in the sixth game of a series that the Kings currently lead 3-2. I'll admit, I'd love for the Blues to go far, and I was a little worried during the first two games that the Kings would lose the cup in the first round, but the royal team has picked it up since, and I can definitely see this game being the end of the road for the Blues.

EDIT: With the Kings emerging victorious tonight, I got another series spot-on.