I think the Kings and Rangers as well, and as hockey fan, I want that, to see the 2 best goalies in the game going head to head, save to save, two top D's battling, Callahan and Co. taking on Brown and the boys.
I get that Pierre (like a lot of analysts) love the Pens mostly due to Crosby. And if healthy, he's the best player in the game. But I don't think Fluery or that Pens D can match the Rangers and Lundquist. And the Rangers are a physical team and I think over a 7 game series, would wear the Pens down. (and wouldnb't I love to see Callahan lay out Crosby)
Another annoying thing (and it really irks me) this guy(not mcquire the other dolt) goes into the 'kings barely made the playoffs, couldn't score , what if that happens again...' ReallY? You're paid to be an analyst and you can't get historical data and figure out Pre and Post Sutter? You can track what Carter's addition did for the scoring (from Mar 1 onward, 2nd highest scoring team in the league) You didn't see the team that finally arrived, played up to potential with a coach who had a solid plan and motivated?
And it's in a lot of 2013 previews...why can't they give the Kings the credit ? Why are they so willing to say 'Oh they got hot at the right time, eigth seed overachieved. etc.?
Can't they see how Sutter changed the team, gave them an identity?
I'm just gonna predict the top 8 in the west, we all know anything can happen in the playoffs.
1. STL
2. LA
3. VAN
4. CHI
5. SJ
6. PHX (Dave Tippett)
7. COL
8. DET
I just don't buy Dallas, Edmonton or Anaheim and I think Minnesota added too many pieces at key positions that they may start slow, and Calgary is well, Calgary.
I'm just gonna predict the top 8 in the west, we all know anything can happen in the playoffs.
1. STL
2. LA
3. VAN
4. CHI
5. SJ
6. PHX (Dave Tippett)
7. COL
8. DET
I just don't buy Dallas, Edmonton or Anaheim and I think Minnesota added too many pieces at key positions that they may start slow, and Calgary is well, Calgary.
Overall, I like your predictions. I don't think St. Louis will repeat that good of a performance though, as a good chunk was due to Elliott's out of this world performance that traditionally he has never come close to doing before. Unless Halak can really carry the load, I doubt St. Louis will repeat at that level.
I see it more like
1. Vancouver
2. LA
3. St. Louis
4. Chicago
5. Detroit (they always find a way to win)
6. Phoenix
7. Dallas
8. Colorado
I think San Jose misses out this year and we see a fire sale. And who knows what is going on in Anaheim. Edmonton is a good year away yet, and Calgary will hopefully figure out its time to rebuild. Plus Hartley's never won without a loaded roster (aside from one solid season in Atlanta).
I'm just gonna predict the top 8 in the west, we all know anything can happen in the playoffs.
1. STL
2. LA
3. VAN
4. CHI
5. SJ
6. PHX (Dave Tippett)
7. COL
8. DET
I just don't buy Dallas, Edmonton or Anaheim and I think Minnesota added too many pieces at key positions that they may start slow, and Calgary is well, Calgary.
I think Minn will get in the playoffs, good chuck of the team has been skating together.
I'm just gonna predict the top 8 in the west, we all know anything can happen in the playoffs.
1. STL
2. LA
3. VAN
4. CHI
5. SJ
6. PHX (Dave Tippett)
7. COL
8. DET
The (selfish) fan in me just can't accept that fact that the Kings would slip at all after their great playoff run last season. Ok, Kopitar misses 1.5 - 2 weeks, but that's the only downside I can see.
I'm looking forward to the Kings finishing first overall in everything - Presidents' Trophey winner. (WTH not?)
And I also look forward to Det missing the POs for the first time in forever and starting a streak of missing them for at least 10 years in a row. (WTH not?)
Going to be fun when people realise how lucky Rangers got last year to finish where they did. They were a 6-8th seed team (fenwicked 14th in the league (lol)) masquerading as a 1 seed.
Philly - Kings my pick for final, top teams in each conf at the moment
1.Kings
2.Blues
3.Canucks
4.Blackhawks
5.Phoenix
6.Avalanche
7.Predators
8.Wings
9.Ducks
10.Flames
11.The Sharks
12. Stars
13.Jackets
14.Wild (People are very greatly over estimating their acquisitions, they are stars, not superstars, One DD, one star Offensive player.
15.Oilers
I'm going to follow up last season's prediction with the same thing. THE KINGS ARE GOING TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP! The Kings will go 47-1. The only loss to Ditka's Bears.
There is sure to be some shake ups this year with the turnover from team to team. I'll do my best guessing:
Take last years team, add Yakupov and Shultz and minus Khabibulin godmoding 2 months at the start of the year stealing wins for them and you have a bottom 5 team again
To put it into perspective, post deadline, the Kings played the Oilers twice and outshot them 69-33. I don't think Yak and Shultz make up 36 shots difference
I would think the younger teams will do well in a shortened season as well as deep, defensive minded teams like the Kings. I've literally done no research on this so here's my best guess:
I think you could see 3-4 really good teams on the outside looking in. 1 major injury to a big player and you could slide right out of the playoff picture in a condensed schedule. Jagr has been on fire in Europe, Dallas could be interesting but they are old. I could see the Wings sliding out of the playoffs this year but King fans have been counting them out for about 15 years for various reasons and they always find a way.
