The NHL Plays On: 2nd Round Schedule, The Kingshark Predicts…
Well, for many of us Sharks fans the season sadly ended a week ago as team teal was dismissed in five hard games by the St Louis Blues. Though the defeat is tough for the Sharks and their fans, I feel we can all agree that simply put the Blues were the better team up and down, in and out. In the end, you simply have to applaud their effort and tip your cap to the Blues. Even though the Sharks are done until October 2012, the NHL Playoffs have moved on with a lot of surprises.
Aside from the Sharks, marquee names such as Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, Boston and Pittsburgh were all sent home after the first rounds in an incredible changing of the guard in the likes of which the NHL has not seen in many years. Teams such as Nashville, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and St Louis are representing the Western Conference with one of those four making the Stanley Cup Finals which start in late May. Both of last years finalist, the Canucks and Bruins are gone in shocking fashion falling in two of the biggest upsets in NHL Playoff History. What will happen next? That remains to be seen. However one thing is certain, the NHL will have a very interesting ride all the way to the Cup Final. The NHL will be assured of a new Cup Champion, especially if it comes out of the Western Conference where only St Louis (1968) and the LA Kings (1993) have seen the finals once.
Here is the 2nd Round Schedule for this post season and my pick for who I feel will prevail in each series. Feel free to comment, agree or disagree:
Western Conference:
(8)Los Angeles Kings vs (2) St Louis Blues: Game 1 Apr 28th, Game 2 Apr 30th at St.Louis; Game 3 May 3rd, Game 4 May 6th at Los Angeles; Game 5 May 8th at St Louis; Game 6 May 10th at Los Angeles; Game 7 May 12th at St Louis…. Kingshark Prediction: St Louis has superior defense and goal tending…LA has a strong team and will be a very tough out, but is being asked to slay two of this season’s giants. Tough assignment…Blues in 7…
(4)Nashville Preds vs (3) Phoenix Coyotes: Game 1 Apr 27th, Game 2 Apr 29th at Phoenix; Game 3 May 2nd; Game 4 May 4th at Nashville; Game 5 May 7th at Phoenix; Game 6 May 9th at Nashville; Game 7 May 11th at Phoenix… Kingshark Prediction: Coyotes somehow getting it done when it counts, Preds will fight to end…and win a seven game series….Preds in 7…
Eastern Conference:
(7) Washington Capitals vs (1) NY Rangers: Game 1 Apr 28th, Game 2 Apr 30th at New York; Game 3 May 2nd, Game 4 May 5th at Washington; Game 5 May 7th at New York; Game 6 May 9th at Washington; Game 7 May 12th at New York… Kingshark Prediction: Caps were impressive throughout their upset over Bruins, Rangers struggled vs Ottawa… Caps now playing with “House Money”, plus a healthy and hungry Ovetchkin and nothing to lose plus everything to gain… Caps in 7 (upset special, their has to be one)…
(6) New Jeresy Devils vs (5) Philadelphia Flyers: Game 1 Apr 29th, Game 2 May 1st at Philadelphia; Game 3 May 3rd, Game 4 May 6th at New Jersey; Game 5 May 8th at Philadelphia; Game 6 May 10th at New Jersey; Game 7 May 12th at Philadelphia…Kingshark Prediction: This will depend on which goalie can get hot and stay hot the longest…NJ’s goalies more impressive in 1st round than Philly…Flyers on the right night can almost score at will, won emotional series over Penguins and have had a good rest leading to this series…Flyers in 6…
And coming April 30th “My Two Cents”, my new weekly column comes to Blades of Teal discussing any news regarding the Sharks or the NHL in general. It will be informative, fun and entertaining, and a little humorous at times too. It’s tough to see the Sharks out, however at least there is some good entertaining hockey on the horizon as these playoffs continue. Enjoy…
The King Shark
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“Blades of Teal: The Final Word on San Jose Sharks Hockey”…(where puck drops again for team teal this October)…