The old geezer
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2007
- 715
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We’ve all become dependent on Brock for Pre-Season and Play-Off prediction and so it feels like something’s missing when he isn’t able to produce one. Heck there’s more talk on the boards about the draft then the play-offs so let’s get off our collective buts and start something.
Unfortunately, my work has the HFNHL site blocked (though I can get to the boards – go figure) so I can’t check stats like head to head match-ups or even injuries etc. I don’t even know who won the first games yesterday since my email also blocks the league announcements. Regardless here’s my uninformed ‘from the gut’ predictions and I invite everyone else to chime in with theirs.
Eastern Conference
Florida (1) vs. Montreal (8)
Prediction Panthers in 5 - While I have no problem picking an underdog there’s no series I feel more confident in the favorite winning than this one. Florida’s fate after round 1 I wasn’t as confident about
Ottawa (2) vs. Boston (7)
Prediction Sens in 6 – Hard to rule Boston out especially since they found some lightning in a bottle in the tail half of the year surged from about the 10/11 spot in the East up to 7th. That said my hunch is that Ottawa will still prevail in six.
Philadelphia (3) vs. New York (6)
Prediction Islanders in 6 – There is no logical reason for this I know but sometimes reality isn’t logical. This was a pure gut feel call on my part.
Buffalo (4) vs. Carolina (5)
Prediction Canes in 7 – This was as tough a call as they get. Buffalo has possibly the best play-off record in the HFNHL and are still a strong team on paper. That said I was one of the few that didn’t think Carolina’s play earlier this year was as much a shocker as most. Truth is I liked this team for this Sim and the line combinations that were being used at the time and so think this series goes seven. Whether I’m right on Carolina to win game 7 or not is yet to be seen.
Western Conference
Anaheim (1) vs. Detroit (8)
Prediction Ducks in 7 – So this is the only one that differs from my pool submission. In that case picked Detroit b/c I assumed bad luck would have me win a single round and have to give Rich my second rounder as part of a conditional trade and then be promptly ousted. There’s many reasons to believe Anaheim will prevail amongst them is that Detroit has been horrible on the road all year.
Nashville (2) vs. St. Louis (7)
Prediction Preds in 7 – Yes another 7 game series. Without the psychological effects of the President’s Trophy worries the Blues should be more focused and a tougher opponent than usual but I like the way the Preds have played this year. To come out on top of the brutal Central division shows they’ve got things right.
Vancouver (3) vs. Chicago (6)
Prediction Chicago in 5 – Don’t ask why but I’ve actually picked the Hawks to win the Cup this year (you’re now jinxed Dryden). While it would be easy to argue a longer series and/or the Canucks winning this is another pure gut feeling prediction again.
Columbus (4) vs. Los Angeles (5)
Prediction Jackets in 6 – It’s tough to judge the Jackets with GM Emerson’s ADD. He loves to fiddle with his rosters (through trade) and lineups so it’s always changing for reasons not always obvious to me. That said the Kings are young and inexperienced and, well, Doug can’t screw things up every time
Unfortunately, my work has the HFNHL site blocked (though I can get to the boards – go figure) so I can’t check stats like head to head match-ups or even injuries etc. I don’t even know who won the first games yesterday since my email also blocks the league announcements. Regardless here’s my uninformed ‘from the gut’ predictions and I invite everyone else to chime in with theirs.
Eastern Conference
Florida (1) vs. Montreal (8)
Prediction Panthers in 5 - While I have no problem picking an underdog there’s no series I feel more confident in the favorite winning than this one. Florida’s fate after round 1 I wasn’t as confident about
Ottawa (2) vs. Boston (7)
Prediction Sens in 6 – Hard to rule Boston out especially since they found some lightning in a bottle in the tail half of the year surged from about the 10/11 spot in the East up to 7th. That said my hunch is that Ottawa will still prevail in six.
Philadelphia (3) vs. New York (6)
Prediction Islanders in 6 – There is no logical reason for this I know but sometimes reality isn’t logical. This was a pure gut feel call on my part.
Buffalo (4) vs. Carolina (5)
Prediction Canes in 7 – This was as tough a call as they get. Buffalo has possibly the best play-off record in the HFNHL and are still a strong team on paper. That said I was one of the few that didn’t think Carolina’s play earlier this year was as much a shocker as most. Truth is I liked this team for this Sim and the line combinations that were being used at the time and so think this series goes seven. Whether I’m right on Carolina to win game 7 or not is yet to be seen.
Western Conference
Anaheim (1) vs. Detroit (8)
Prediction Ducks in 7 – So this is the only one that differs from my pool submission. In that case picked Detroit b/c I assumed bad luck would have me win a single round and have to give Rich my second rounder as part of a conditional trade and then be promptly ousted. There’s many reasons to believe Anaheim will prevail amongst them is that Detroit has been horrible on the road all year.
Nashville (2) vs. St. Louis (7)
Prediction Preds in 7 – Yes another 7 game series. Without the psychological effects of the President’s Trophy worries the Blues should be more focused and a tougher opponent than usual but I like the way the Preds have played this year. To come out on top of the brutal Central division shows they’ve got things right.
Vancouver (3) vs. Chicago (6)
Prediction Chicago in 5 – Don’t ask why but I’ve actually picked the Hawks to win the Cup this year (you’re now jinxed Dryden). While it would be easy to argue a longer series and/or the Canucks winning this is another pure gut feeling prediction again.
Columbus (4) vs. Los Angeles (5)
Prediction Jackets in 6 – It’s tough to judge the Jackets with GM Emerson’s ADD. He loves to fiddle with his rosters (through trade) and lineups so it’s always changing for reasons not always obvious to me. That said the Kings are young and inexperienced and, well, Doug can’t screw things up every time
I think in the NHL the sim is not working well too....
