Second-round playoff

Our experts weigh in with their second-round playoff predictions



Marc Lalonde says:

Montreal vs. Philadelphia

Montreal's little guys should be able to skate circles around some of the Flyers' lumbering defencemen (Derian Hatcher, I'm looking at you. Jason Smith, you too), while Carey Price continues on his hot streak. I'm looking for Martin Biron to be shaky and inconsistent throughout. There's a reason he's never been an undisputed #1 guy before the goalie-starved Flyers reached out and made him one. Look for the Canadiens to win this one in six games, maybe five if Alex Kovalev continues his strong play.

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

If the Rangers can somehow manage to slow down the lightning-quick Penguins, then the Blueshirts have a crack at this series. If they can't, however, Pittsburgh should win easily. The best hope for Jagr, Gomez, Drury and co. is to control the puck down low and limit Pittsburgh's time and space with the puck through the neutral zone. If Marian Hossa can continue his first-time-ever hot playoff run (and you know the Ottawa fans just looooooved that), then the Pens will win in seven. In fact, that's the pick. Pittsburgh in seven. Marc-Andre Fleury outduels Henrik Lundqvist in Game 7.

Western conference

Detroit vs. Colorado

This series hinges on two things: Peter Forsberg's health, and Detroit's goaltending. Dominik Hasek was shelled and is apparently injured. In the playoffs. Again. (I think I've read this story before). Chris Osgood, though, is up to the challenge. I don't know if I can say the same for Jose Theodore, but if he stays away from Paris Hilton and the VD she gave him doesn't flare up, then the Avs have a chance. The hockey should be interesting, but I'm also looking forward to seeing the NHL's top rivalry in the '90s reborn. These two teams' annual playoff battled were something to see a decade ago; they still might be again. If Forsberg appears in every game, the Avs can stay with Detroit. Otherwise, Red Wings in five. Pick: Detroit in 7.

San Jose vs. Dallas

Everybody's chic Stanley Cup pick survived a scare against Calgary, but old guy Jeremy Roenick is firing on all cylinders and the Sharks are mostly healthy. Even Joe Thornton finally scored an important goal in the post-season. On the other hand, Dallas dropped the defending Cup champs Anaheim in five games, sending the Ducks packing with nary a peep. Of course, my 'no-team-with-Mike-Ribeiro-will-win-the-Cup' rule means I have to pick against Dallas here. OK by me. Sharks in seven. And we'll get to see Dollard des Ormeaux's own Marc-Edouard Vlasic in the conference finals.



Albert Kramberger says:



Canadiens vs. Flyers

The Habs handled the bigger and slower Flyers during the regular season, but as we learned in the first round against the Bruins, that doesn't really mean much in the playoffs. But if the Habs play like they did in games one and seven against Boston, and their powerplay is in form, they will their second-round series. Habs in six.

Penguins vs. N.Y. Rangers

This should be a very close series. The Rangers have Stanley Cup veterans, (Jagr & Shanahan) and perhaps the league's best goalie to lead them and they are on a role since the second half of the season. However, Pittsburgh is developing into one of the league's premier teams and has a pair of superstar star forwards (Crosby & Malkin) to make them true Cup contenders. One uncertainty heading into the playoffs was their goaltending but Fleury is solid and maybe has finally met the expectations one has of a No. 1 overall draft selection. Penguins in seven.

Detroit vs. Colorado

There's long history of bad blood with these teams so this should prove to be a dynamite series. Colorado added Forsberg late in the season and though he's past his prime he will help. Theodore is having a comeback season and did shine at times in the playoffs previously with the Habs. Detroit has loads of talent (Lidstrom & Datsyuk) but both their goaltenders are getting old and perhaps too weary. Colorado in six.

San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars

On paper, the Sharks are the better team (Thornton, Campbell) but they have been known to choke in the playoffs. This could be the year they come to play. Mind you, Dalllas hasn't a good playoff track record in recent years either but they managed to beat Calgary without Zubov in the first round. Both teams have solid goaltending, but will one shine more than the other? Sharks in six.



Philippe Boisvert a dit



(1) Montréal vs. (6) Philadelphie

Les Canadiens ont peut-être gagné leurs quatre affrontements contre les Flyers cette saison, mais cela ne veut rien dire. Carey Price est inconstant, parfois incroyable, parfois ordinaire, mais nous devons le mettre meilleur que Biron. De plus, la défensive des Flyers semble inadéquate. Les deux équipes sont rapides, mais cette série pourrait se jouer sur les unités spéciales. Les Flyers avaient le 2e meilleur jeu de puissance en saison derrière le Canadien, mais eux, ont continué à marquer en séries.

Canadiens en 7

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (5) New York Rangers

Voilà un affrontement qui s’annonce intéressant. Deux excellentes équipes s’affrontent et une d’entre elle sera éliminée après cette ronde, ce qui fera plaisir aux Montréalais. Les deux équipes n’accordent pas beaucoup, mais les Penguins en marquent beaucoup plus. Les affrontements cette saison ont été serrés. Les Rangers ont le meilleur gardien en Lundqvist. Il sera la clé. Mais sera-t-il assez bon ?

Penguins en 7

(1) Détroit vs. (6) Colorado

L’Avalanche a connu une bonne fin de saison et a éliminé assez facilement le Wild. Mais les Red Wings sont puissants et ont gagné aisément leurs quatre matchs contre la formation des rocheuses. Théodore ne sera pas à la hauteur de l’attaque des pieuvres.

Red Wings en 6

(2) San Jose vs. (5) Dallas

Voilà deux équipes qui n’accordent pas beaucoup de buts, mais qui peuvent s’avérer productives à l’attaque. Elles comptent chacune sur un très bon gardien, en Nabokov et Turco. Les parties ont été vraiment serrées entre les deux formations et difficile de prédire l’issue de cette série. Toutefois, les Stars ont étonné contre les Ducks.

Sharks en 7.



Rick Moffat said:



CANADIENS VS. FLYERS: Habs in 5. The Philly defense corps would be the NHL's best charity basketball team but they won't be able to keep up with the speed of the Canadiens' Special-K's---Koivu+Higgins or the Kostitsyns for that matter.





PENGUINS VS. RANGERS: It really is Crosby's time. Already. Michel Therrien got my 2nd place vote for Coach of the Year (I think you can guess who won my 1st place vote). The Rangers may be emotionally spent from knocking off their Jersey rivals, Penguins in 6.





AVALANCHE VS. RED WINGS: I this point I think I really would rather have Jose' in goal rather than Osgood, but Detroit is still just too stacked. Wings in 5.





SHARKS VS. STARS: This could be the best series of the bunch. If you want Montreal connections you can root for Carbo's son-in-law Brendan Morrow, or you can cheer for that other Amigo in exile Mike Ribeiro. Or you go Sharks for the Rivet and Torrey Mitchell factor (the pride of Greenfield Park and Selwyn House). I say Sharks but it will take 7 games.