The Quaterfinals are now over and the Semi Final Brackets are all set up... Tonight both the Devils and Rangers were eliminated in their respective game 7's. There were two very distinct differences on how the two teams went out. The Rangers had just 1 shot in the entire 3rd period and lost 2-1... The Devils... Allowed two goals in the final 1:23 in the game to loose 4-3 to the Hurricanes. As a Devils fan I can honestly say that though I am obviously very upset about the loss I can say that the Devils had by far surpassed all of expectations for this season. When Brodeur got injured and the team was really struggling I had hopes that we could possibly hang onto 8th place or so, but somehow we dug down deep and finished 3rd in the East and won yet another Atlantic Division title. We face are seemingly arch playoff rivals the Hurricanes and fought to a game 7 where two breakdowns cost us the series with just over a minute left in the game. I'm planning on going into a more in depth season review for the Devils sometime during the off season, I'll also include in that some changes that I would like to see happen for next season... Now though let's take a look at the set up for the Semi Finals...
Eastern Conference
1.) Boston Bruins vs 6.) Carolina Hurricanes
Boston won all 4 meetings between these two during the regular season. Much like Paul Maurice said at the end of game 7 against New Jersey, that's a regular season stat. The Hurricanes are NOT the team that they were early this season, they're hungry, and on top of that they have a goalie who seems even hungrier. Boston has had quite a bit of time off and that could bite them in the end. I still do think that Boston will win the series, but it could go 7.
2.) Washington Capitals vs 4.) Pittsburgh Penguins
The series that is always talked about, that everyone wants to see is here. The ultimate series between the Penguins and Caps. should be nothing short of spectacular. I'm not even going to try and guess how many games this series will go, but I'm thinking that they will all be high scoring, fast paced, and simply fun to watch. This series could come down to goaltending, and if that's the case I'm going to have to pick the Pens. *sigh* I was really hoping to see the Caps in NJ... Oh well...
Western Conference
2.) Detroit Red Wings vs 8.) Anaheim Ducks
The Wings have had some time off. That may bite them a little bit as the Ducks are probably running on their biggest high of the season after knocking out the number one team in the league, the San Jose Sharks is 6 games. Detroit is going to need to play harder then they did against the Jackets if they hope to beat the Ducks. The showdown the Hayek and myself for that matter in the west is going to be a good one. I'm going to say that the Ducks win this series in 6. The way they shut down the Sharks plus this unknown goalie who is off to a ridiculous start is my reasoning.
4.) Vancouver Chanucks vs 5.) Chicago Blackhawks
I don't know all that much about either of these two teams as far as the first round is concerned. Based on seeing some highlights and what not, I'm going to say that the Blackhawks have a pretty good chance to move on. Yes Vancouver has Luongo, but the Hawks are young, fast, hungry, and have a pretty decent goalie themselves. Hawks in 6 I think.
Well there ya have it... Those are my predictions for the second round of the playoffs... Since the Devils can no longer win the cup... I'd like to see either the Ducks, Pens, Blackhawks, or Bruins win the whole thing...