Here are the correct predictions for the 2005-06 post-season (crossposted on Bumf), as opposed to the hallucinogenic haze offered by my fellow commentator.
FIRST ROUND
Detroit v. Edmonton
The Wings have a terrific defense led by the best blueliner in the game, Hall of Fame leadership that's the envy of the league, and a spank-freakin'-tastic young offense who seem to do what they want, when they want. The Oil, meanwhile, limped into the post season, riding on the collapse of the Canucks, and they have not given any indication they are going to give any more. Still, they split the season series with Motown and are one of the few teams who could possibly out-skate them. However, unless the puck-bobbling Dwayne Roloson outplays BOTH number one Manny Legace AND Stanley Cup winner Chris Osgood, Edmonton's hitting the links early this spring. Wings in 5.
Dallas v. Colorado
Colorado's solid, fast and competitive. They are well-coached and have a balanced attack, and an especially potent powerplay. The problem is, the Stars have everything the Avs can throw at them and more. Blake's good on the powerplay but Zobov's better. Sakic and Turgeon are a terrfic pair of pivots but Arnott and Modano are better. Budaj and Theodore are solid tenders but Turco's better. It's going to be a short series. Stars in 4.
Calgary v. Anaheim
Brian Burke has been successful in building a fast, mobile squad with a balanced attack. They have a Conn Smythe winner between the pipes and a rejuvenated Teemu Selanne leading the attack. They also have the smooth-skating Scott Niedermayer to break the puck up the middle at key moments of the game. Top that off with the dynamic rookie duo of Getzlaf and Perry, and you have a potent offense.
The Flames, in contrast, grind like a mill, and are especially adept at wearing down their opponents in along the boards. Niedermayer has a bum knee and might have difficulty in evading the forecheck, much how Selanne might have trouble with the stifling coverage by Stephane Yelle and the entire defense corps. And do I have to mention Kipper?
The difference will be with the style of play. If it's a wide-open game with long passes out of the zone and lateral movement in front of the net, go with the Ducks. If it's a disciplined, tight-checking affair, go with the Flames. Flames in 7.
Nashville v. San Jose
Yes, the coming of Thornton turned around the fortunes of the Sharks and, yes, Vokoun's departure leaves a big question mark in front of the twine. However, Nashville is an fast, explosive team with a solid d and terrific leadership. Vokoun didn't carry the team on his shoulders by any means.
Which leads to Thornton and the lack of any evidence thus far in his professional career of carrying anybody anywhere. All the excuses he has had in the past -- injuries, poor goaltending, lack of secondary scoring -- are non-factors today. I'm sure he'll find at least one more this spring. Preds in 6.
Ottawa v. Tampa
Ottawa has it all: leadership, coaching, defense, scoring, tenacity. Even if the unproven Emery has to carry the load, chances are, he will not have to win any series on his own, much like Chris Osgood did for the Wings in 1998. Tampa, meanwhile, will not have the easy road to the Cup as they did in their Stanley Cup run. Their goaltending is atrocious and the reigning Hart winner has not brought himself back to 2004 form. If it weren't for the ever-improving Vinny Lecavailier, this would be a complete romp. Sens in 5.
Carolina v. Montreal
The Hurricanes are the real deal. They are an incredibly well-balanced team that, while young and cocky, has bought into coach Peter Laviolette's system. Eric Staal's bid for the Art Ross was stymied by the injury of Eric Cole, but with the addition of Doug Weight and Mark Recchi, the total offensive output has not abated one iota. Further, there is no player in the league, aside from Rhett Warrener, who deserves a Stanley Cup more than Rod Brind'Amour, a capable leader who is more than able to rally the team to his cause.
As for the Habs, I have three words: High on Huet. These words are out on the French Flopper and he won't last long if Carolina is listening. If Aebischer comes to the rescue, put your money on his fellow countryman playing 180 feet down-ice. Canes in 5.
New Jersey v. New York
Though the 11-game winning streak means jack-all in the playoffs, it is a strong indicator that the Devils are back to old form. Patrick Elias is the most underrated superstar in the game and Brian Gionta is quickly rising to that status. For his part, Marty Brodeur seems revved up at the possibility of matching Patrick Roy's Stanley Cup total and nabbing an inexplicably-absent Conn Smythe to boot.
The Rangers do possess the best player in the game and a cocky netminder who has already won an Olympic goal medal this year. They also have a surprisingly miserly defense under the watchful eye of Tom Renney and thus are not to be sniffed at. If it were any other team in the East, I'd give it to the Rangers. But because of their loss on the last night of the regular season, this is not the case. Devils in 6.
Buffalo v. Phialdelphia
Robert Esche is getting the call over the brilliant Finn 'minder NNiittimmaakkii(sp?), which may or may not be the right decision. Meanwhile, Buffalo also has two underrated 'tenders who are more than capable of carrying the team all the way to the final. There are no advantages to either side with the coaching as both Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock, who last met in the 1999 finals, are considered to be at the top of their craft. Both teams are superb: the youthful Sabres are the fastest team in the league; the Flyers deep with experience yet bolstered with rookies already proven winners. The prime intangible is Peter Forsberg. If he's healthy, the Flyers are moving on. I'm betting he's not. Sabres in 6.
(Yes, I realize I simply picked the first four seeds in each round, but I honestly believe that the parity in each conference isn't what most observers have proclaimed.)
SECOND ROUND
Detroit v. Nashville -> Preds in 6
Dallas v. Calgary -> Stars in 7
Ottawa v. Buffalo -> Sabres in 6
Carolina v. New Jersey -> Canes in 5
THIRD ROUND
Dallas v. Nashville -> Stars in 4
Carolina v. Buffalo -> Canes in 7
STANLEY CUP
Dallas v. Carolina -> Stars in 6
