My Enormous Crystal Balls: NHL 2010 Quarterfinals

By Hockey Guru



After a stunning set of Round 1 Predictions - which were never published - and in response to the incredible pre-season predictions revisited - The Guru has smashed his crystal ball. However, even without a crystal ball, day-to-day predictions on the Stanley Cup Playoffs can be expected by the millions of clamoring STP followers.

At the time of publishing this post, the Penguins and Canadiens are even at 1 game apiece. San Jose has a 2-0 series lead over Detroit, and Boston & Vancouver each hold a 1-0 lead over Philadelphia and Vancouver, respectively.




The Boston-Philadelphia Series

Boston's defense is thin. Zdeno Chara is a beast - but the minutes that are being required from Johnny Boychuk (33:29 in game 1), Andrew Ference, Matt Hunwick, Dennis Wideman and Adam McQuaid will prove problematic for the black and gold.

Whereas Buffalo's injuries toward the end of the year led to a lineup of smurfs - Philadelphia, should be able to wear out the Bruins defense and create plenty of offensive opportunities for Danny Briere and Mike Richards.

The Bruins' struggle to score goals will return in the series and the Flyers will prevail.


The Pittsburgh-Montreal Series

Mike Cammalleri is clutch and clutch is everything. Some players have the ability to elevate their games and PRODUCE when needed - and he is one of those players. Unfortunately for him and Habs fans - so is Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins will not make the same mistake the Capitals made and simply play a series of one-games. The Penguins have begun their series attack on Montreal - from Cooke's hit on Markov to the major-misconduct by Adams - the Penguins are looking to punish Montreal's defenseman and will wear down the Canadiens in the series.

Jaroslav Halak has been solid if not spectacular in the Olympics and in the Playoffs - but Pittsburgh will move through in 5 or 6 games.


The Chicago-Vancouver Series

Prior to the series opening, the Guru was waffling on the winner of this series. After game one - it would be very hard to predict Chicago wining 4 of the next 6. Vancouver appears much more focused from the goal out.

However, Chicago's defense (Campbell in particular) will improve throughout the series. Adjusting from the series against Nashville and forgetting about last year's series victory over Vancouver may have proven difficult in game 1.

Even as this is being typed - the broken crystal ball shows both teams emerging.

Going into Game 1 - I believe that Chicago didn't respect Roberto Luongo enough. I believe they came into the game believing that they would prevail in a run-and-gun style game. They may still believe that. However, in Game 2, I expect the Hawks to come out much more conservatively and with more attention to defense. While sacrificing some potential transition-game offense, Game 2 will be low scoring and Patrick Kane has the clutch-ness to score a key goal and tie up this series.

In this first "draft" prediction for the series, the coin toss landed on heads - actually an Indian head - but the more confident prediction is that the prediction of Blackhawks in 7 will change.


The San Jose-Detroit Series

San Jose has a 2-0 lead. Now Detroit needs to win 4 of 5 to advance. However, it has been said that a team is never in trouble until it loses on home ice. Well, if Detroit isn't in trouble yet - I'm going to be getting a big check in the mail for this post.

The Wings are a great dynasty - but this year is San Jose's year. The depth players will be the difference - San Jose is just deeper and better. San Jose will get through this series (bold prediction, being up 2-0 already). Since today is not a game day, I'll revisit this series tomorrow, but I think San Jose wins Game 3, Detroit rallies for Game 4 and San Jose closes out Detroit in 5 or 6. Again, that is the "early" prediction (if a prediction 2 games into a series can be considered early).


Tonight (Monday), Guru's Gut Sez:


Philadelphia 3 - Boston 2

Chicago 2- Vancouver 1 (OT)

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