The Fanatical Fan

I Approach These Playoffs Hesitantly

Last year, I didn’t know what to expect when I started rooting for the Caps.  I didn’t know a lot about the team and probably couldn’t even have named all the players.  I didn’t know how they would handle the playoffs and didn’t know if they could survive a series.

This year, I know this team.  I know this team even better than I thought I did.  That’s why I’m worried.  Some people are saying the Caps will have no problem with the Rangers, but I’m more on the side of those who say they need to be careful.  That’s why I’m picking the Caps, but I’m saying it’ll take them six games.  Everyone is making a bid deal about how Sean Avery’s going to get in everyone’s head but the only player I’m worried about is Jose Theodore.  Avery could probably psyche him out, but Alex doesn’t really seem like the kind of player who would let him get inside his head.

I honestly don’t know if they can win the Cup this year.  Let’s be honest, their goaltending is questionable, they need to cut down on penalties, and need to improve their penalty killing.  But they have to at least win a round.  I might cry if they don’t.

I also might cry if Semie and Staal don’t fight again.

If they do win a round, but then lose to the Penguins, I’ll jump off a bridge.  

My other picks:

Boston (1) vs. Montreal (8)

Boston hasn’t been as fantastic as they were earlier in the season, but as shaky as they’ve been, Montreal has been worse.  The only reason the Habs even made the playoffs is because Florida and Buffalo blew it.

Bruins in six.

New Jersey (3) vs. Carolina (6)

A few weeks ago, I was talking to my grandfather on the phone.  He’s 90, and is easily confused by the standings.  I was explaining to him what the Sabres needed to do to move into the playoffs, and what games other teams needed to lose.  At one point New Jersey came up, and I told him that beating New Jersey would be tough because I thought they would win it all this year.

Now, after the season is over, I think New Jersey has kind of crashed and burned, and I really don’t think they’ll go far.  I feel bad for Devils fans, but I’m no longer seeing a Red Wings/Devils final with the Devils winning.

Carolina in six.

Pittsburgh (4) vs. Philadelphia (5)

As much as I hate Philadelphia, I hate Pittsburgh more.  That being said, Philly’s goaltending is even more questionable than Washington’s and Pittsburgh has been on a tear.  It’ll come down to whether or not Philly’s defense can keep Pittsburgh away from Biron, and then if their offense can get to Fleury.

It’ll take seven games, and as much as I hate to say it, I think Pittsburgh will move on to the next round.

San Jose (1) vs. Anaheim (8)

Yes, I know that San Jose won the Presidents’ Trophy.  But I also know that the Sharks are some of the biggest chokers I have ever seen.  Anaheim’s been pretty good as of late, and I honestly think they could beat the Sharks if they tried.

Anaheim in seven games.

Detroit (2) vs. Columbus (7)

Apologies to the Blackhawks fans out there (and there are more and more of you every day), but I adopted Columbus as my Western Conference Team a couple weeks ago.  They’re cute, and they made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.  And I had to write an article review about an article on them for gym, so I know all about these little Blue Jackets.  Detroit is a scary postseason team, but Columbus beat them 8-2 earlier in the year.  They have Steve Mason, and Detroit has their entire offense and defense.

This series will go one of two ways.  Either Columbus finds that spark that got them to the playoffs and upset the Red Wings in seven games, or Detroit sweeps them.

Vancouver (3) vs. St. Louis (6)

Honestly, I have watched very little of either team this year.  Like, I think I saw two games from each, and the St. Louis games were back when they sucked.  I know very little about either of these teams, other than Jay McKee players for the Blues and the Sedins play for the Canucks.  Hey, didn’t that bald Swedish guy sign with the Canucks halfway through the season too?

St. Louis in six.

Chicago (4) vs. Calgary (5)

I feel kind of bad for Calgary.  They had a 13-point lead in their division and then kind of crapped out.  And, um, 0-42 on the power play to end the season?  That’s awful.

Chicago, on the other hand, has been pretty darn good for most of the season.  AND they finished off the season by shutting out Detroit.  That’s pretty good, ‘Hawks.  They’ll win this series, but – and don’t kill me, Cari, Kim, or Clare!! – I’m not sure how much deeper they’ll get.  Making the playoffs alone is a huge accomplishment for them, and winning a series would be great, but they still are a young team, and they’ve kind of looked young at times this season.  But still, they’ll be fine against Calgary.

Chicago in five.

But I’ll still be watching the Caps the most.  Let’s go Caps!  Woo!!!