NHL and NBA Playoff Analysis (Ship board in Europe!)
NHL, NBA Conference Final Previews
(Note: NHL post was written 5/16)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Both teams barely made the playoffs (by 1 point), and now both teams are playing for a Stanley Cup bid. The Canadiens rallied from 3-1 and 3-2 deficits to knock out the Presidents Cup winner and the defending champ, while Philadelphia rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to beat Boston in 7 games.
Road To The Playoffs
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens were the last team in the playoffs, and they were rewarded with the top-seeded Capitals, who had scored 33 more points in the regular season. Tomas Plekanec scored the GW goal in Game 1 for Montreal, but Washington took the next 3 games. Montreal won on the road, and Jaroslav Halak staved off a rally by Washington in a 4-1 Game 6 win to tie the series, then Halak stopped every single shot for the first 57:44, and Montreal won 2-1.
In the second round Montreal lost Game 1, but Halak returned to form and helped Montreal even the series at 1. Pittsburgh shut Montreal out in Game 3, but 2 goals early in the 3rd (GW by Brian Gionta) helped Montreal tie the series. Pittsburgh won Game 5, but Montreal rebounded and held the Pens off, then a 4-0 lead helped Montreal win the series in 7 (again).
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers needed a SO win in the last game of the regular season to get to the playoffs, and that was big. Mike Richards, Chris Pronger, and Danny Briere dominated New Jersey, and Philadelphia split the first 2 games, won Game 3 in OT and took the series in 5.
But, the Flyers’ season looked in jeopardy when they fell behind 3-0 to Boston. In Game 4 Simon Gagne scored the GW goal in OT, and in Game 5 Brian Boucher shut out the Bruins to cut the deficit to 3-2. Danny Briere scored what proved to be the GW goal in Game 6, and the series was tied. In Game 7 Boston took a 3-0 lead, but Philadelphia soon cut the deficit to 3-2. Danny Briere scored a goal from the far corner, and Simon Gagne caught the corner for the GW goal.
Pick: Montreal in 7; Philadelphia hasn’t faced any real competition yet; Montreal beat the top team and the defending champ. I really like Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri, and Jaroslav Halak is the best goalie out of the 4 teams left.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have been “jinxed” by the playoffs for about 5 years. After a 2-1 loss in Game 1 to Colorado, it looked like the jinx would continue. However, Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal with :31 left to avoid a 2-0 hole, and Devin Setoguchi scored the OT winner. After scoring on themselves for a 1-0 OT loss, Joe Pavelski scored the winning goals in games 4 and 6 for a 4-2 series win.
In Game 1 against the Red Wings, San Jose scored 3 goals in 1:19 and settled for a 4-3 win. Joe Thornton scored the winner on a rebound in Game 2, and Logan Couture scored a goal from the corner to tie Game 3, and Patrick Marleau scored the OT winner. San Jose lost Game 4 7-1, but Marleau again scored the winner in a 2-1 series closing win.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks were a win away from nabbing the number one seed, but they just couldn’t do it. And they couldn’t win Game 1 either in a 4-1 loss, but they rebounded against Nashville to win Game 2 2-0. They won Game 3, and in Game 5 Patrick Kane scored with :14 left to tie the game, and Marian Hossa scored the winner. Chicago beat Nashville in 6.
The Hawks lost Game 1 again, but they won Game 2 on Kris Versteed’s winner. They won games 3 and 4 5-2 and 7-4 (sparked by Jonathan Toews’ Game 4 hat trick), but they lost Game 5. They rebounded in Game 6 to win the series against the Vancouver Canucks in 6 games. Fact: The home team was 1-5 in this series.
Pick: Sharks in 7; Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Ryane Clowe, Rob Blake, Dan Boyle, etc. The Sharks players are just too deep to lose, and I think that they will get more shots, which will eventually turn into goals. Chicago is 5-1 on the road, while San Jose is 5-1 at home and undefeated in their last 5 home games.
Cup pick: San Jose over Montreal in 6; Like I said, the talent is way too deep for Montreal to win the series. An 8 seed against a one seed? Sure, the country will root for Montreal but San Jose is just too good. The Sharks are 5-1 at home and 3-2 on the road and they have only needed 11 games to finish off their opponents, while Montreal needed 14.
NBA Playoff Look-In
(Note: Written 5/21)
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Game 1
Everyone had expected the 8-0 Orlando Magic to easily knock out Boston, who everyone thought was still a fluke. But Boston used Paul Pierce to knock down the jumper, and Rajon Rondo would drive, then kick out. Boston took a 62-44 lead after Paul Pierce was in his rhythm. But Orlando came back, and they used shots late by J.J Redick and Dwight Howard to cut the deficit to 90-88 with 7 seconds left. But Boston made 2 free throws to seal the 92-88 win.
Game 2
Boston went up big early (again), but Orlando came back and made it even. But Rajon Rondo was in his rhythm, Paul Pierce scored 13 in the third, and after Rondo’s fake pass then layup, Boston led 85-77. But Dwight Howard got Orlando within 1, and Vince Carter put Orlando ahead 90-89 with a jumper. But Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo scored back-to-back, and Boston won 95-92.
LA Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
Game 1
Kobe Bryant was on his rhythm (again) in the third quarter, and he was knocking down jumper after jumper after jumper on his way to 40 points. Lamar Odom was getting rebounds in the middle of 3 Suns, and he finished with 19 points and 19 boards. Phoenix just couldn’t do anything about it, and the Lakers won 128-107.
Game 2
Game 2 was closer, and it wasn’t a Kobe Bryant game. He did have a nice game, and he was still knocking down jumpers, but Phoenix kept in the game and tied it after 3. But Ron Artest’s defense helped LA get up a few possessions, and it gave them room for a 124-112 win.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens
Game 1
Once Simon Gagne scored the GW goal in Game 7 and the Flyers made history by rallying from down 3-0 to beat Boston, it was on to Montreal. In Game 1, Michael Leighton made some great saves, and Philadelphia kept going on the offensive end. They proved their performance no fluke, and they easily won 6-0.
Game 2
Game 2 was more of the same story. Michael Leighton made more saves, and he again pitched a shutout. The Canadiens couldn’t figure Leighton out, and the pressure finally caught on to Jaroslav Halak. Montreal realized real competition, and Philadelphia easily won 3-0.
Game 3
Montreal finally had their fans, but they would have to win 2 games in front of them to stay in the series. The pressure caught on to Leighton, and Montreal scored amazing goals. The 4th goal by Brian Gionta was under Leighton’s leg, and the first goal was from the side. Halak finally found his game, and Montreal won 5-1.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks
Game 1
The San Jose Sharks fans were going all about the playoff jinx being broken, but there was still the Chicago Blackhawks. Anti-Neimi, the Chicago goalie, was making great saves. He made a spectacular second period glove save to rob Ryane Clowe of a goal, and Kris Versteeg scored the GW goal in the third for a 2-1 Chicago win.
Game 2
Chicago came in ready for this game. The Hawks were all over Evgeni Nabokov, getting the puck past his glove and through his legs. Jonathan Toews (Taves) continued his domination during the playoffs, and the “Road Warriors” won their seventh straight on the road and their 6th in 7 games.
(Note: NHL post was written 5/16)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Both teams barely made the playoffs (by 1 point), and now both teams are playing for a Stanley Cup bid. The Canadiens rallied from 3-1 and 3-2 deficits to knock out the Presidents Cup winner and the defending champ, while Philadelphia rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to beat Boston in 7 games.
Road To The Playoffs
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens were the last team in the playoffs, and they were rewarded with the top-seeded Capitals, who had scored 33 more points in the regular season. Tomas Plekanec scored the GW goal in Game 1 for Montreal, but Washington took the next 3 games. Montreal won on the road, and Jaroslav Halak staved off a rally by Washington in a 4-1 Game 6 win to tie the series, then Halak stopped every single shot for the first 57:44, and Montreal won 2-1.
In the second round Montreal lost Game 1, but Halak returned to form and helped Montreal even the series at 1. Pittsburgh shut Montreal out in Game 3, but 2 goals early in the 3rd (GW by Brian Gionta) helped Montreal tie the series. Pittsburgh won Game 5, but Montreal rebounded and held the Pens off, then a 4-0 lead helped Montreal win the series in 7 (again).
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers needed a SO win in the last game of the regular season to get to the playoffs, and that was big. Mike Richards, Chris Pronger, and Danny Briere dominated New Jersey, and Philadelphia split the first 2 games, won Game 3 in OT and took the series in 5.
But, the Flyers’ season looked in jeopardy when they fell behind 3-0 to Boston. In Game 4 Simon Gagne scored the GW goal in OT, and in Game 5 Brian Boucher shut out the Bruins to cut the deficit to 3-2. Danny Briere scored what proved to be the GW goal in Game 6, and the series was tied. In Game 7 Boston took a 3-0 lead, but Philadelphia soon cut the deficit to 3-2. Danny Briere scored a goal from the far corner, and Simon Gagne caught the corner for the GW goal.
Pick: Montreal in 7; Philadelphia hasn’t faced any real competition yet; Montreal beat the top team and the defending champ. I really like Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri, and Jaroslav Halak is the best goalie out of the 4 teams left.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have been “jinxed” by the playoffs for about 5 years. After a 2-1 loss in Game 1 to Colorado, it looked like the jinx would continue. However, Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal with :31 left to avoid a 2-0 hole, and Devin Setoguchi scored the OT winner. After scoring on themselves for a 1-0 OT loss, Joe Pavelski scored the winning goals in games 4 and 6 for a 4-2 series win.
In Game 1 against the Red Wings, San Jose scored 3 goals in 1:19 and settled for a 4-3 win. Joe Thornton scored the winner on a rebound in Game 2, and Logan Couture scored a goal from the corner to tie Game 3, and Patrick Marleau scored the OT winner. San Jose lost Game 4 7-1, but Marleau again scored the winner in a 2-1 series closing win.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks were a win away from nabbing the number one seed, but they just couldn’t do it. And they couldn’t win Game 1 either in a 4-1 loss, but they rebounded against Nashville to win Game 2 2-0. They won Game 3, and in Game 5 Patrick Kane scored with :14 left to tie the game, and Marian Hossa scored the winner. Chicago beat Nashville in 6.
The Hawks lost Game 1 again, but they won Game 2 on Kris Versteed’s winner. They won games 3 and 4 5-2 and 7-4 (sparked by Jonathan Toews’ Game 4 hat trick), but they lost Game 5. They rebounded in Game 6 to win the series against the Vancouver Canucks in 6 games. Fact: The home team was 1-5 in this series.
Pick: Sharks in 7; Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Ryane Clowe, Rob Blake, Dan Boyle, etc. The Sharks players are just too deep to lose, and I think that they will get more shots, which will eventually turn into goals. Chicago is 5-1 on the road, while San Jose is 5-1 at home and undefeated in their last 5 home games.
Cup pick: San Jose over Montreal in 6; Like I said, the talent is way too deep for Montreal to win the series. An 8 seed against a one seed? Sure, the country will root for Montreal but San Jose is just too good. The Sharks are 5-1 at home and 3-2 on the road and they have only needed 11 games to finish off their opponents, while Montreal needed 14.
NBA Playoff Look-In
(Note: Written 5/21)
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Game 1
Everyone had expected the 8-0 Orlando Magic to easily knock out Boston, who everyone thought was still a fluke. But Boston used Paul Pierce to knock down the jumper, and Rajon Rondo would drive, then kick out. Boston took a 62-44 lead after Paul Pierce was in his rhythm. But Orlando came back, and they used shots late by J.J Redick and Dwight Howard to cut the deficit to 90-88 with 7 seconds left. But Boston made 2 free throws to seal the 92-88 win.
Game 2
Boston went up big early (again), but Orlando came back and made it even. But Rajon Rondo was in his rhythm, Paul Pierce scored 13 in the third, and after Rondo’s fake pass then layup, Boston led 85-77. But Dwight Howard got Orlando within 1, and Vince Carter put Orlando ahead 90-89 with a jumper. But Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo scored back-to-back, and Boston won 95-92.
LA Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
Game 1
Kobe Bryant was on his rhythm (again) in the third quarter, and he was knocking down jumper after jumper after jumper on his way to 40 points. Lamar Odom was getting rebounds in the middle of 3 Suns, and he finished with 19 points and 19 boards. Phoenix just couldn’t do anything about it, and the Lakers won 128-107.
Game 2
Game 2 was closer, and it wasn’t a Kobe Bryant game. He did have a nice game, and he was still knocking down jumpers, but Phoenix kept in the game and tied it after 3. But Ron Artest’s defense helped LA get up a few possessions, and it gave them room for a 124-112 win.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens
Game 1
Once Simon Gagne scored the GW goal in Game 7 and the Flyers made history by rallying from down 3-0 to beat Boston, it was on to Montreal. In Game 1, Michael Leighton made some great saves, and Philadelphia kept going on the offensive end. They proved their performance no fluke, and they easily won 6-0.
Game 2
Game 2 was more of the same story. Michael Leighton made more saves, and he again pitched a shutout. The Canadiens couldn’t figure Leighton out, and the pressure finally caught on to Jaroslav Halak. Montreal realized real competition, and Philadelphia easily won 3-0.
Game 3
Montreal finally had their fans, but they would have to win 2 games in front of them to stay in the series. The pressure caught on to Leighton, and Montreal scored amazing goals. The 4th goal by Brian Gionta was under Leighton’s leg, and the first goal was from the side. Halak finally found his game, and Montreal won 5-1.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks
Game 1
The San Jose Sharks fans were going all about the playoff jinx being broken, but there was still the Chicago Blackhawks. Anti-Neimi, the Chicago goalie, was making great saves. He made a spectacular second period glove save to rob Ryane Clowe of a goal, and Kris Versteeg scored the GW goal in the third for a 2-1 Chicago win.
Game 2
Chicago came in ready for this game. The Hawks were all over Evgeni Nabokov, getting the puck past his glove and through his legs. Jonathan Toews (Taves) continued his domination during the playoffs, and the “Road Warriors” won their seventh straight on the road and their 6th in 7 games.
Comments