A side note- the Sabres prediction will be up, in detail, tomorrow. But to keep you in the know for my predictions, I feel the Sabres can beat the slow defense and older, lazier skaters of the Islanders without a ton of trouble. Sabres in 5.
The sole Western matchup of the night is the (1) Detroit Red Wings and the (8) Calgary Flames. The Wings are a perennial threat to get the Cup, but have been ousted in the first round the last two years. Ironically, the team that beat them advanced to the finals- and lost. The West is a much tougher division to pick in the first round, becasue the top 7 seeds were all over 100 points and only six points separate the 2 seed from the 7 seed. Though 17 points separate Detroit and Calgary, reigning Vezina winner Miikka Kiprusoff has played like the champ he is recently. Calgary played excellent hockey over the last month, led by Kippy's impeccable play. Detroit has the best goalie in hockey history (Dominik Hasek) but he has the world's weakest groin. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit's premier player,returns this week after missing a month of hockey. Detroit is also suffering through another injury to Todd Bertuzzi, who has a concussion.
It is my belief that the Flames, especially if they can steal one of the first two games at Joe Louis Arena in Michigan, will fight Detroit to seven games. And I think the Flames win in that seventh game.
(3) Atlanta Thrashers and the (6) New York Rangers. The Rangers have played incredible hockey down the stretch led by Brendan Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr. Henrik Lundqvist, the Ranger keeper, has arguable been the best tender in the last six weeks. Marcel Hossa has started scoring and Peter Prucha is a nice surprise for the Rangers. Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuck look to lead the young Thrashers through the playoffs, but ended the season JUST edging out the Tampa Bay Lightning for the division crown. It's unfortunate that Kari Lehtonen will not be able to stop the Ranger's attack.
The Thrashers, who have some players who tend to disappear in big games, and have very little overall playoff experience, will be eliminated by the Rangers in 6 games.
That brings me to the last game of this post, the (2) New Jersey Devils and the (7) Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa has beaten New Jersey 3 out of four times this year. Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St Louis have caused nothing but migraines for Martin Brodeur. I expect nothing less in this series. Whereas the Devils run a great trap defense, they only have so many guys that can keep up with the Lightning. The only question mark for the Lightning is their shaky goaltending. I think Mark Denis and Johan Holmqvist tighten up in this series and the Lightning run a huge upset in seven games.
There you are, SABRES NATION, all my picks for the first round. A much better Sabres/Islanders post will be up tomorrow. Check back, comment if you will! Thanks, Tom, for commenting! Even though I don't know you! Give feedback! What would you like to read about?
In conclusion:
Minnesota Wild defeat Anaheim Ducks 4-3, ANA lead series 1-0
Vancouver Canucks defeat Dallas Stars 4-3, VAN leads series 1-0
Nashville Predators defeat San Jose Sharks 4-2, SJS leads series 1-0
Ottawa Senators defeat Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3, OTT leads series 1-0
Buffalo Sabres defeat New York Islanders 4-1
Calgary Flames defeat Detroit Red Wings 4-3
New York Rangers defeat Atlanta Thrashers 4-2
Tampa Bay Lightning defeat New Jersey Devils 4-3
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