Ahhh… the sweet smell of the playoffs is in the air once again. 82 games in the books and only 16 teams left standing. Many hockey pundits have made thier picks and predictions on the upcoming post-season, so I guess I shouldn’t be left out.

THE GOOD

San Jose Sharks- This team looks poised to make a deep playoff run. Big Joe has had a stellar season and the boys in baby blue have rallied behind him.

Hey…if they can pull this off, maybe they can even have a parade instead of celebrating in the parking lot like their other California counterparts.

Either way, a Sharks Stanley Cup victory is still only destined to make page 6 of the sports page.

PREDICTION= Stanley Cup final appearance

Detroit Red Wings- Presidents trophy winners yet again, this is starting to get old.  Another 54 wins, and of course, the best 50 year old goalie in the NHL that nobody cares about anymore.

Don’t forget a team full of names I can’t spell or understand. The only time I feel this dumb is when I am at a Starbucks trying to figure out the menu.  Uhhh…I’ll have a Valtteri FILPPULA frappacino, or maybe a Chocolate iced MALTBY….ah nevermind..just give me a double MEECH expresso…What the heck are those anyways?

Ah heck, the Wings playoff run is going to be much like the Starbucks drink sizes…Strong, but Short and hard on the pocket book.

PREDICTION= Round 2 exit.

Montreal Canadiens- Most think this team has the best shot to bring the cup back to Canada for the first time since the last time they did it in 1993.

Their 104 point performance was tops in the east and an incredible turn around from last year. So why will they go to the Stanley Cup Finals this year? Well, someone told Alex Kovalev it’s still 1993! I mean, just look at his hair, he is trying to give Fabio a run for his money.

That, and the fact that Thomas Plekanec is doing his best Wayne Gretzky impression by wearing his stupid looking turtle neck game in and game out. However,  the biggest reason this team has improved so much is because they are saving big dollars on expenses. The team no longer has to pay for flights…Carey Price’s old man just picks them up 4 at a time in his prop jet and takes them to games.

PREDICTION= Stanley Cup final appearance.

THE BAD

Boston Bruins- Congrats; you fought to the end and snuck into the playoffs. Hard work and determination got you here.

Too bad for the Bruins the Habs beat up on them a perfect 8 times year, have knocked them out of the playoffs the last 2 times they met, and have a 23-7 career record against the Bruins in the playoffs.

So, is there any good news for the Bruins? Sure….they will have plenty of time to watch the Celtics make a real playoff run from the bleachers.

PREDICTION= 4 and out.

Nashville Predators- These guys are still in the league? Who knew….Well at least they will get 4 games televised this year. Could you imagine if this team made a deep playoff run?

Ya me either……..Oh well, at least they were better than Vancouver and Edmonton.

PREDICTION= 5 and out

THE UGLY

Ottawa Senators- One of the worst second halvess to a season ever in the NHL after flying out of the gates. Let’s just say that limping into the playoffs is being polite. This team is horrendous. They scored about as many goals in the second half of the season as times Ray Emery was late for practice. Lucky for them they only have to deal with Hossa, Crosby, and Malkin in Round 1. No biggy right?

PREDICTION= 6 and out
- They will get 2 wins because Fleury will fall asleep at the wheel a couple nights.

In light of the last off season’s acquisitions, I offer this quote to the Oilers:

“You can’t go into a shop and buy a good game of golf” – Sam Snead.

Well that’s how I feel about things folks……fire away in the comments with your own playoff picks and predictions!

Berbs

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