2011 NHL Playoffs Round 2

Sorry I'm late on my predictions for round 2. I've had a lot on my plate over the past couple days. I won't go as in depth as I like but this is what I'm thinking even though a couple games have already happened.

East

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Capitals in 6
Though I like the Lighting's all round play I think the Caps offense and defense match up to the lightnings pretty well. This will come down to goaltending and I think the lighting will ware out as the series goes further since they had that 7 games with the Pens.

Flyers vs. Bruins REMATCH!: Flyers in 7

This will be the series of the 2nd round. We saw the miracle last season for the Flyers and you know the Bruins will be looking for payback. Why am I going with the Flyers? Believe it or not they are getting healthy and have Pronger back in the line up. In fact when he returned Buffalo didn't have the same jump offensively as they did before. Bruins are coming out of a grinder with the Canadians and I'm sure that will effect them in the end.

West

Canucks vs. Predators: Predators in 6
I'm not impressed wit the Canucks. They celebrate like crazy over beating a Blackhawks teams that was a shadow of their former self. Granted they had that power forward to bug Luongo the series would of been in the Hawks favor. On paper they have the superior team but that doesn't mean they know how to finish. That said, I was really impressed by the Predators in round 1. They really play a teams game and really proved me wrong in being a pure defense team. They lost game 1 but I'm still sticking with them to win it in 6.

Red Wings vs. Sharks: Red Wings in 6
This is a tough one to pick. I much rather see the Sharks move on but I think the Wings will be looking at redemption in this series. Also with the amazing performance by Pavel Datsyuk and the return of Henrik Zetterberg... I really feel they will be producing a ton of goals for the Wings.

The Day Of Reckoning Is Here... Hawks vs. Canucks Game 7

Over the past couple days I've been hearing it from a few Canuck fans on youtube and it's funny to see the team and fans complain about the officiating in game 6. They say they are calm and collected, but when you whine and complain the way they have over the past couple days it's obvious to anyone the pressure has gotten to them. For a series that should of been a breeze, against a team that's a ghost of their former selves, the Canucks have put themselves in a game 7 situation with everything on the line. Plane and simple the Canucks *Deemed as Canada's Hope*, is not as good as they keep bragging about. Sure they do well in the regular season but come playoff time, they fall apart.

So what do you make of this final match up this season? You have a Blackhawks team, though lacking in the depth they once had, has players that know how to win. Compared to a Canucks team, stacked with top players but haven't been able to finish. Home ice is in the Canucks' favor but, the Blackhawks have proven in the past they can win in Vancouver. This game can go either way, but in my opinion the damage has already been done. The Canucks are now exposed as the team we know them to be, and even if they move forward will still carry the question marks that have plagued them over the last few seasons.

We Got A Game 7!

In a game that Vancouver controlled, played mind games in and outshot the Hawks, the rookie Ben Smith saves the day and delivers a game 7. I'll touch up more on this game 7 later but I needed to post this up. Once again, Roberto Luongo falls and burns to the tune of Chelsea Dagger. He'll have nightmares tonight and he didn't play the whole game.

What a week of good hockey...

It's been a while since my last post and thought now would be a good time to talk some hockey.

I mainly wanted to touch up on a couple series. The first would be the Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadian series. A week ago I called the Bruins down and to start the count. Well since then the Bruins have mounted one amazing counter attack. Not only did they walk into Montreal and take both games 3 and 4, but in a classic defensive battle beat the Canadians in double overtime. What did they do different... they started putting pressure in front of the net! They didn't do that at all in the first two games. The Bruins defense have also committed to blocking shots and giving Thomas support. Even when they are not paying attention they are blocking them as we saw in the 2rd overtime last night. Either way, it's been one amazing comeback to watch for the Bruins. That said they should be thanking the Canadians to. Too many mistakes in front of their own net have resulted in most of the goals from games 3 and 4. I expect the Canadians to take this to game 7 as originally predicted and Boston to finish.



Next up the Chicago Blackhawks. Somewhere in Vancouver there has to be a ton of Canuck fans really starting to sweat tonight's match up. For being a team that is a ghost of their former selves from the past two seasons, they have given the Canucks another reason to doubt and fear. The team that's suppose to win the cup can't get the demons off their back and the Blackhawks are remembering how to play Blackhawk hockey. It's not just the fact Kane and Hossa have started scoring but it's the physical play. The Blackhawks are owning the boards, they are fighting in front of the net and they are showing the Canucks major playoff weakness... Roberto Luongo. I don't care if he's Vezina material and deemed one of the best goalies in today's NHL. Fact of the matter is he has yet to show up in the playoffs, even with a team as stacked like the Canucks. Even if they beat the Blackhawks this season, none of this will prove anything. Say they lose before they can even reach the conference finals then you have to question whether this core of players can win a cup. I hope tonight we can hear Chelsea Dagger running Luongo off the ice again. It will give us another set up for a classic 3-0 comeback again.

Hockey Players Are The Toughest SOB On The Planet!

Not to really bash on other sports but damn, when you put your body through this kind of punishment every other day what does that say. When is the last time you heard of a football player nearly losing one of his berries and coming back the next game, or a basketball player playing with a busted hand? Come NHL playoff time you have to admire the punishment they endure every time they step on the ice. Johan Franzen for example, busts his face early in the 1st in yesterday's game against the Coyotes. After getting 20+ stitches on his face he came right back out in the 2nd period and finished the game. Watching the interview with him on NBC I saw a man who looked like he lost a bar fight, but... as much as I hate the Red Wings, Franzen showed the grit and pride hockey players carry in their sport. I have to give him major props on that. There's only one thing to say to that...

Mans Game Bitch

The Real Manchester Team Is Moving On To The FA Final!

On the side of hockey I do have a small soft spot for soccer, mainly just for the one and only team from Manchester. Yesterday was a day for rejoice as City who's taken a lot of pain and punishment from Salford United finally stuck it to the rags in one of England's biggest stages.

The Bruins Are Down... Start The Count

Well now that the series has gone through 2 games. I thought this would be a good opportunity to look at the biggest shock so far.

For me the biggest shock has been the dominating performance the Montreal Canadians. Since the opening bell the Canadians have been throwing hay makers left and right at the Bruins and all the Bruins can do is turtle and hope they can recover. On the scoreboard, physically, mentally it's an embarrassing beat down and for a series that should go 7, it could very well go 4. So what do the Bruins do to get back into this series? First things first they need to start busting their ass to the rebounds. Most of the Canadians goals so far have just been from rebounds. The defense isn't giving Thomas help. They are letting the Canadians to just walk in with no real pressure on the shooter. At the same time Thomas isn't controlling the puck that well either. There are also times as well where it looks like the Bruins are too busy looking to hit someone, then try to make a play from it. Then on the offensive side, they have ran into a really hot Carry Price. It's amazing to have seen some of the saves he has made. Only suggestion... get traffic in front of the net. I don't see enough pressure on Boston's part. Now that the series is going back to Montreal, the Bruins better take some time to get focused and remember how they play during the regular season. They lose game 3 they might as well start practicing a golf swing and a coaching job could be up for grabs with this performance.

2011 NHL Playoffs Round 1

ACHSDU17'S 1st Round Predictions...

East

Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers - Caps in 5

I think after last season's first round departure, the Caps are going in thinking about redeeming themselves. I think the Rangers were just lucky as hell they made the playoffs and their offense is just so inconsistent. The Capitals have some major secondary scoring, a tough defense and really all the Caps need is for a mediocre performance in net and they will roll over the Rangers. Unless we see Chris Drury from his pre-ranger days, Marian Gaborik out score Ovechkin and Henrik Lundqvist just shut the door... expect a short series from a Capitals team that will want to redeem themselves from last years 1st round exit.

Flyers vs Sabers - Sabers in 6

After the dominance shown by the Flyers this season why would I choose the Sabers? The Sabers are going into the playoffs hot going 8-1-1 in the last 10 games. Ryan Miller one of the best goalies in the league today, if he gets hot there is no way you are scoring on him. They have been better on the special teams, way more consistent and the Flyers are going in a bit more beat up. Granted they Flyers have great offense and when healthy a really great defense. However, I think Buffalo has caught fire at the right time and will be my dark horse in the East.

Bruins vs. Canadians - Bruins in 7

This is going to be one hell of a street fight. This is a series you can throw stats aside, put the numbers away and just think about what these teams mean to one another. I know the Bruins on paper have a better team but do you ever roll over for your long time hated rival? After all the 911 calls to arrest Chara and the punches thrown this year I expect this to go the distance. Price will have to be the star of this series for the Canadians to win but I think Bruins have enough talent to get them by. Either way any team that gets out of this series will be coming out hurt.

Pens vs. Lightning - Lightning in 6

Both teams are running smoothly and though the Pens have been doing a great job stepping their game up they will defiantly hurt without Crosby and Malkin. Especially against a team that seems to have their crap together. If you do your homework right and make sure their secondary stars are shut down the Pens will fall. They don't have much scoring depth left. That doesn't mean Fleury can't save them though. He's a goalie you can count on in the playoffs and will give the Pens a shot. In the end I think the Pens lack of depth will get them.

West

Canucks vs. Blackhawks – Canucks in 5

As much as I’d like to see the hopes and dreams of the Canucks burn to the tune of Chelsea Dagger again I don’t think the Hawks have what it takes to bring them down this season. They were lucky to make the playoffs, they are going in with a smaller proven core, another goalie has to prove himself again and lets face it… the Canucks have the best team in the league. Only way the Hawks get past the Canucks is if Luongo screws up and though I won't put it past him, I don't think the great offensive talent nor the strong D will let that happen.

Sharks vs. Kings – Kings in 7

Even though the Sharks took down the Avs and Wings last season… I’m just not sold on them actually showing up in the playoffs.  This will be another classic California series though and it will go back and forth. The Sharks will find a great secondary scorer stepping up and matching the Kings offense. The defense for both teams will be tossing bodies left and right. However in the end I think goaltending will decide it and though Niemi won the cup last season with a great Chicago D, I have much more confidence in Jonathan Quick in net. I like to think of Quick as one of the elite goalies in the NHL and if he wins this series I think he could officially be in that spot. His time is about to come.

Red Wings vs. Coyotes Round 2 – Wings in 6

This one I have to think about more… Offense I give that to the Wings. Defense I have to give that to the Wings.  Special Teams Wings… So why is it so tough? I don’t like Howard and personally I think he’s a overrated goalie. Phoenix is not a pushover, they have some pretty decent offense with good depth, their defense is ok… but it’s Bryzgalov I would worry about. I think the Wings will overcome though and Bryzgalov will run out of gas before this series ends.

Ducks vs. Preds – Ducks in 6

The Predators have been consistent all season but since the All Star break there hasn’t been a team that has fought as hard as the Ducks. This team has become one dangerous threat in this year’s playoffs, they will continue to fight, they will continue to play their hockey and really they are my dark horse in the West. This will be a battle of the Ducks offense against the Preds strong D. Though some will say you can win with great d, if that’s all you do you can’t score. I think Corry Perry will see to that. 

Alright... Reaction! What do you think will go down in round 1?

Intro

Welcome to Over The Glass... a blog to discuss the goings on in sports, mainly hockey. Tonight I like to get my first couple posts up to one discuss what my intentions are with this and two put up my first round predictions for the NHL Playoffs.

So why am I doing this... I have a passion for sports mainly hockey. I've watched it for most of my life, even before the Avs came to Denver in 95. I always have something to say about this player or this hit, a lot of people like hearing my opinions and though I'm not in sports writing or working for a sports team yet... I want to show that I do have a well thought out opinion about certain subjects. I have a great opinion about the game. I've watched it, worked it and played it for a good chunk of my life. It's time to get my say out there. Who knows... someone who once worked for the Avs told me someone started a real career doing this. Maybe if I play my cards right the same will happen to me.

Over the next few days I will post more on reactions to the first couple games. I'll also work on designing this site to look better.