By Hockey Guru
The abbreviated 2nd Round saw the Guru correctly predict 3 of the 4 series winners, and go 11-7 on the 18 individual game predictions. This was, of course, based simply on picking the winners. The results which were based on total score predicted have not yet been calculated, but it appears that the Guru was approximately, oh, let's say .... 16-1. [Ed. Note: In the words of Scorsese actor, Griffin Dunne, "that's not enough numbers, but okay ...."]
Anyhow, with yesterday's off-day behind him, the Guru has geared up for the Conference Finals, which begin in about 45 minutes. Here now, are the new predictions.
The Sharks must be "relieved" not to relive another post season nightmare. The Blackhawks are where they expected to be right along.
The Guru believes that the Blackhawks will look to push the pace of this series - to make it a track meet. The Sharks will comply with the up tempo game at least in Game 1 - and a very fast paced, action-filled game will take place. The speed of the Hawks and edge in goaltending in game one - will end in a 5-4 Chicago victory.The series prediction (with limited time to be published - so the elaboration will come out as the series unfolds) is that the Hawks speed and goaltending will prevail in 6 games.
The Philadelphia Flyers - the pre-season selection for the Stanley Cup Finals by the Hockey Guru - have home-ice advantage in the Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. The paths to this unlikely series - even had they appeared in a crystal ball - would never have been published.But these Flyers have overcome a ton of injuries and adversity and find themselves with a path to the Finals without having to knock off either Washington or Pittsburgh. Although Jeff Carter is done, the defense is healthy, Michael Leighton is back and their depth at forward as beginning to emerge.
Their opponent, le Club de hockey Canadien, eliminated both the expected Eastern Conference favourites - Washington and Pittsburgh. Those results sent the Guru back to his crystal ball to figure out how those results were missed. The error was in the data entered. The Montreal Canadiens are not the team that would be indicated by their record at the end of the regular season. Part of the record was the commitment to Carey Price as the starting goaltender. With Price in net, the Canadiens were 13-20-5. With Jaroslav Halak in between the pipes - the Canadiens were 26-13-5. If Halak's wining percentage carried over to all 82 games - the Canadiens would have finished with 106 points - fourth in the NHL and second in the Conference.
This is not the eight seed that they appeared to be, going into the playoffs.
Additionally, the Canadiens have their 100th anniversary team on the ice. (What's that - are people booing the Guru - saying their 100th anniversary was 2008-2009 - which it was based on calander years - however, with the 2004-05 lockout- there was a missing season). Therefore, this is in fact, the 100th season for the Montreal Canadiens - and their magical ride will not end until the Stanley Cup Finals.
Series prediction: Montreal wins in 6 (but 7 would be more fitting).
Game One Prediction: Montreal 3 - Philadelphia 1
When you use the word favourites, do you pronounce it differently in your head, or was it just a typo?
ReplyDeleteFor the record, as a Canadian, I have never heard anyone pronounce the word about as a boot, and it's not like Americans even spell it 'abot', so when adding the letter 'u' to words like favour and honour, it is my hope that people don't think we say fave-oor or honoor.
But trying to type this many words without interjecting an eh was damn hard.
What are you talking a-boot?
ReplyDeleteJust trying to capture the spirit of the thing, eh.
Now head down to the Beer Store and grab a two-four of Bleues and keep reading.