For the first time since 2003, my team is in the conference final in hockey. Those Devils were a great team (108 points - 2nd in the East, gave up only 166 goals all season, scored 218 - which was damn good in the pre-lockout NHL). These Devils aren't as good. Marty Brodeur is less dependable. That said, I'm just as excited, mainly because it is the Rangers that the Devils will face. I wasn't there to really take in 1994, so besides missing an iconic NHL series, I haven't really been haunted by the "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau" play (it also helps the Devils won the next season, and since 1994, have finished better than the Rangers in all but three seasons, and also won three Stanley Cups). So this series is less about revenge and more about regional bragging rights. The Rangers, sadly, I like because they remind me a lot of the 2003 Devils. Great goaltending led by three good defensive pairings, and a deep offensive set of players none of whom is overly talented, but all solid. As for the Western Conference, the Kings have been incredible. On one hand, it is commendable to see an 8th seed look this good, but on the other hand, it raises questions about what the hell the Kings were doing in the regular season. Other than the addition of ex-Flyer Jeff Carter, the Kings in the postseason is essentially the same as the Kings from last November. The talent is immense, and they've finally put it all together. Anyway, let's get to the picks.
Western Conference Finals - Kings (8) over Coyotes (3) in 6
The Kings are just better. First of all, the seedings are almost irrelevant and are not close to an indicator as to the Coyotes supremacy. The Kings ended the regular season with 95 points, while the Coyotes won a mediocre but tight Pacific Division with 97. The Kings have more talent on offense with Kopitar and Richards both playing great, and Dustin Brown having an awesome postseason. The Coyotes are deep, but none of their lines are particularly scary, and the Kings can match them with depth. The Coyotes do have a slight advantage in my eyes on the blueline, but what is shocking is they give up a ton of shots with Smith facing over 30 a game. For the first time in these playoffs, the Coyotes will not have a large advantage in goal. Jonathan Quick has been brilliant in these playoffs as well as all year long. I just don't see the Coyotes winning this series on paper, and given the fact that the Kings mentally are on such a roll, I can't really predict some ethereal reason giving the Coyotes an advantage. Plus, I really don't want to have the possible Devils=Coyotes Stanley Cup Finals and then a never-ending round of "Is anyone watching this?" come from the media. No matter what happens out East, having an LA team will be a good ratings draw.
Eastern Conference Finals - Devils (6) over Rangers (1) in 6
Just like last round, part of this is a Devils fan having biased hope. That said, this is a really close series. Since the Rangers, you know, play defense, the Devils' forecheck probably won't have the suffocating effectiveness it had against the Flyers. It is odd saying this, but the biggest edge the Devils have in this series is their offense. Their offense is deeper, faster, and more talented than the Rangers offense, especially with the Devils 4th line since Steven Gionta and Steve Bernier came on board being really effective in the offensive zone. Kovalchuk looks totally invigorated over whatever treatment he undertook between games 1-3 of the last round. The Rangers defense is, as said, much better than the Devils defense, but the Devils defense has been a lot better in the postseason. Even strength, these teams are really even, with even a slight edge over the course of the season for the Rangers. I think the Devils can really own the Special Teams advantage. Their penalty kill was historically good in the regular season, and while it was awful against Florida, it really clamped down against the Flyers, and the Devils PP has quietly been over 20% in the playoffs. On the other side, the Rangers powerplay, with the exception of their heroic performance during Joel Ward's 4-minute major, has been erratic in the postseason. Overall, these teams are close. All I am hoping for is a long good series, and for Marty not to go out with bad performances. This pick is about 40% with my head and the rest pure heart. I want another run. I want Marty to win Cup #4, and Patrik Elias to get another Cup. I want Parise do have a real decision on his hands in the offseason, and to have the fact that he just won a Stanley Cup as the Devils' captain on his mind. I want Kovalchuk to get a ring which he deserves after doing yoeman's work for a crap team in Atlanta. Marty Brodeur could retire in the offseason, and Zach Parise could leave. This team could be very different in 2012-2013, but for right now, they are really, really good. They deserve this. One last fact, since losing in 1994, the Devils are 4-0 in Eastern Conference Finals, including twice beating the #1 seed that season (including a loaded 2003 Senators team) in their building in Game 7.
Enjoy the hockey. Enjoy what could be the last special moment for Marty and the Devils.
Western Conference Finals - Kings (8) over Coyotes (3) in 6
The Kings are just better. First of all, the seedings are almost irrelevant and are not close to an indicator as to the Coyotes supremacy. The Kings ended the regular season with 95 points, while the Coyotes won a mediocre but tight Pacific Division with 97. The Kings have more talent on offense with Kopitar and Richards both playing great, and Dustin Brown having an awesome postseason. The Coyotes are deep, but none of their lines are particularly scary, and the Kings can match them with depth. The Coyotes do have a slight advantage in my eyes on the blueline, but what is shocking is they give up a ton of shots with Smith facing over 30 a game. For the first time in these playoffs, the Coyotes will not have a large advantage in goal. Jonathan Quick has been brilliant in these playoffs as well as all year long. I just don't see the Coyotes winning this series on paper, and given the fact that the Kings mentally are on such a roll, I can't really predict some ethereal reason giving the Coyotes an advantage. Plus, I really don't want to have the possible Devils=Coyotes Stanley Cup Finals and then a never-ending round of "Is anyone watching this?" come from the media. No matter what happens out East, having an LA team will be a good ratings draw.
Eastern Conference Finals - Devils (6) over Rangers (1) in 6
Just like last round, part of this is a Devils fan having biased hope. That said, this is a really close series. Since the Rangers, you know, play defense, the Devils' forecheck probably won't have the suffocating effectiveness it had against the Flyers. It is odd saying this, but the biggest edge the Devils have in this series is their offense. Their offense is deeper, faster, and more talented than the Rangers offense, especially with the Devils 4th line since Steven Gionta and Steve Bernier came on board being really effective in the offensive zone. Kovalchuk looks totally invigorated over whatever treatment he undertook between games 1-3 of the last round. The Rangers defense is, as said, much better than the Devils defense, but the Devils defense has been a lot better in the postseason. Even strength, these teams are really even, with even a slight edge over the course of the season for the Rangers. I think the Devils can really own the Special Teams advantage. Their penalty kill was historically good in the regular season, and while it was awful against Florida, it really clamped down against the Flyers, and the Devils PP has quietly been over 20% in the playoffs. On the other side, the Rangers powerplay, with the exception of their heroic performance during Joel Ward's 4-minute major, has been erratic in the postseason. Overall, these teams are close. All I am hoping for is a long good series, and for Marty not to go out with bad performances. This pick is about 40% with my head and the rest pure heart. I want another run. I want Marty to win Cup #4, and Patrik Elias to get another Cup. I want Parise do have a real decision on his hands in the offseason, and to have the fact that he just won a Stanley Cup as the Devils' captain on his mind. I want Kovalchuk to get a ring which he deserves after doing yoeman's work for a crap team in Atlanta. Marty Brodeur could retire in the offseason, and Zach Parise could leave. This team could be very different in 2012-2013, but for right now, they are really, really good. They deserve this. One last fact, since losing in 1994, the Devils are 4-0 in Eastern Conference Finals, including twice beating the #1 seed that season (including a loaded 2003 Senators team) in their building in Game 7.
Enjoy the hockey. Enjoy what could be the last special moment for Marty and the Devils.
