Motivated by Revenge

BOSTON BRUINS


Last year's choke job only served to anger the Boston Bruins for this season, and when you consider that Tuukka Rask lost his starting job to a lights out Tim Thomas, you know Boston wants to make amends.  Rask was supposed to be the number one goaltender this year, but took a step back.  It wasn't much, but when Thomas did his impersonation of late-90's Dominik Hasek, he was on the end of the bench for a good part of the season.  Zdeno Chara was expected to bounce back from an injury plagued 2009-10 season, and certainly, he did that, posting 14-30-44 and that translated into an All-Star appearance this year.  Everyone had high expectations for Tyler Seguin this year.  Everyone except the Bruins, that is.  A third line player for most of the season, the Bruins did everything to keep Seguin from trying to do too much.  I predicted 50 points for him this year, and he produced less than half of that (22).  Still, Seguin will be a great player as long as he learns from the veterans on the team.

No team had more to prove this season than Boston, and they played like it.  Thomas will almost certainly win the Vezina Trophy, and Milan Lucic and David Krejci put up their best numbers since their respective rookie years.  Nathan Horton contributed 26 goals, which is his norm.  Anything short of a Stanley Cup this year is unacceptable for Boston, and that is the price you pay for raising expectations, even after a grand failure.

Kansas City Thrashers?

ATLANTA THRASHERS


The Atlanta Thrashsers' season began with a major bang, and ended with a whimper.  Nik Antropov was supposed to be the big point producer on the team, but fell way short of expectations to the point of being in coach Craig Ramsey's doghouse.  On the other end of the spectrum, Dustin Byfuglien came in with a lot of hype and a transition to the blue line.  For a while, he really was the best player on the Thrashers team before teammate Tobias Enstrom (his defensive pairing mate) got hurt mid-season.  Byfuglien figures to benefit from Enstrom's presence again next season.  Bryan Little was supposed to return to 30-goal territory; he ended up with 18 goals.  Respectable, but hardly the numbers expected of him, though 30 assists isn't a shabby number.  He will, however, have to step up his game next season.

Offense for the Thrashers was a major problem, which was to be expected when Ilya Kocalchuk was traded last season.  The blue line outside of Byfuglien and Enstrom needs a major defensive presence, something that mid-season acquisition Mark Stuart could fill.  Chris Mason was a bust as a goalie, losing out to Ondrej Pavalec.  Pavalec's season started with a health scare, but ended with some rather respectable numbers.  He still needs to find consistency, but he would also benefit from a better defense.  This season could in fact, be the last for the Thrashers in Atlanta, as rumors of the team's move gain ground, particularly in the wake of finishing 27th in attendance.  As I said before, and I will keep saying it, Kansas City would be happy to have the Thrashers here.

The Last of the Nordiques

In the midst of everything playoffs and self-analysis, I completely overlooked a bit of news that is fairly significant.  Sunday was the last game for Adam Foote, who spent much of his career in the Quebec/Colorado organization.  While having nowhere near the name recognition of Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, or even Milan Hejduk, Foote was a rock on the Avalanche blue line during much of his career.  He could occasionally drop the gloves, and provided leadership later in his career.  Just as important is the fact that he is the last player on the old Nordiques team of 1995 (the last year they were in Quebec) to have been left in the NHL, though there are a few ex-Nords in other leagues.  Foote was a warrior whose contributions allowed for the skill players to focus on their strengths.

Playoff Time!

Since the NHL playoffs being tomorrow, now figures to be the time to do an analysis of each series and to pick a winner in each one.  Let's go.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

No team was better in the second half than the Capitals, who overtook the Lightning in the last month of the season to win the division.  However, Mike Green must show up in the playoffs this year or it could be Bruce Boudreau who takes the fall for the Caps' failures.  The Rangers almost didn't make the playoffs thanks to their stinker against Atlanta in their next to last game of the season.  However, they won their last game and got help from the Lightning.  The Rangers need a healthy Marian Gaborik, since their best player (not named Henrik Lundqvist) Ryan Callahan is out for the playoffs.

Prediction: Capitals in five

Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia's goaltending is in disarray right now.  Sound familiar?  The difference here could very well be Chris Pronger, if he's healthy.  He's a big game player who plays a lot of important minutes on the blue line.  Buffalo rode a hot streak to make the playoffs when as of February, it seemed impossible.  Ryan Miller is the reason why, and given the Sabres' struggles to find consistent offense, Miller just might have to be that guy again.

Prediction: Flyers in seven

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins

The hatred is back, and this series looks like it will be one to watch.  If you've followed the two teams' matchups this season, then you know about fight night in Boston back in February, or the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty, so neither team is lacking for motivation.  Carey Price and Tim Thomas will have to step up big for either team to advance.

Prediction: Boston in six

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay fell off during the stretch, going from a potential top three seed to a fifth seed.  Pittsburgh fell off primarily due to injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.  It will be interesting to see how Steven Stamkos does in his first playoffs.  Crosby is also worth watching, if only to see if he can be the Crosby of old or if the concussions have taken away from his game.

Prediction: Lightning in seven

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks

Chicago has owned the Canucks the last two postseasons, but things have changed dramatically since last season.  Dustin Byfuglien is in Atlanta, and no one is sure who will be that big body in front of the crease.  Not having the likes of Andrew Ladd also hurts because he could be counted on to provide secondary scoring.  Dave Bolland and Viktor Stalberg have to step up if Chicago hopes to have any chance of defending their championship.  Despite injuires, Vancouver hasn't been slowed down by it.  All eyes are on Roberto Luongo to see if he can finally take that step forward.  Vancouver will miss Manny Malhotra, but they are too balanced to be taken down by the Blackhawks this year.

Prediction: Canucks in six

Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks

Any hopes for the Kings to make a deep run in the playoffs are practically gone with Anze Kopitar out for the playoffs.  Dustin Penner has to be the guy on offense if Los Angeles even hopes for advancement.  San Jose is a number two seed despite down years from Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley.  Guess what?  Those two still have to step up in the playoffs because any failures on the Sharks' part will have fans pointing the fingers at those two.

Prediction: Sharks in four

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Detroit Red Wings

Rematch from last season's first round, Phoenix is a defense first team who will struggle on offense.  However, having Ilya Bryzgalov in net makes everything work.  Keith Yandle was the leading point producer in the regular season, and he will be counted upon to do the same in the postseason.  Detroit has everything except goaltending.  Jimmy Howard was rather inconsistent in the regular season, and it remains to be seen if he can be the guy in net in the postseason.

Prediction: Red Wings in seven

Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators

Quite possibly the most boring matchup in the playoffs, if only because the Nashville Predators are in it.  All kidding aside, this looks like an MMA fight with many holds being exchanged, with the Ducks relying on its suddenly hot offense against the stout as usual defense of the Predators.  Interesting for the Ducks will be seeing how the likes of Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa handle the playoff pressures on the blue line.  The Predators need offense, and Patric Hornqvist must be that guy to do it.

Prediction: Ducks in six

Staying Afloat

In an effort to see where I stand as a predictor of things, I will take a look back at what I wrote about each team before the season, and what really happened.  Since I have the summer to think about everything that happened, the playoff teams will have some editing to do.

ANAHEIM DUCKS


Ryan Getzlaf was my player that drove the team.  As captain, he certainly did that, but he was overshadowed by Jonas Hiller and Corey Perry.  Okay, hands up, who thought Perry was hitting 50 goals this year?  Put your hand down, liar.  Brendan Mikkleson was my player that needed to step up.  However, he was claimed by Calgary on waivers and had little to no impact there.  Luca Sbisa was my player primed for a breakthrough, but he was overtaken by fellow rookie Cam Fowler.  Sbisa is still the future, but he won't be alone in carrying the blue line in the future.  Lubomir Visnovsky may be getting older, but he had his best offensive season yet.  Anaheim answered its blue line problems this year, and it only figures to get better in the coming seasons.  Its front line looks solid, if top heavy, and its goaltending will always keep them in the playoff race, provided Hiller stays healthy.

As far as where I thought they would be, they finished fourth when I said they would finish 11th.  Certainly, the breakthrough year Perry had was not accounted for, and neither was Cam Fowler's emergence straight from the draft.  Teemu Selanne was, well, Teemu Selanne, which is remarkable for a 40 year old.

Playoff Time!

Last night, the playoffs were decided on the last game of the season, as the Minnesota Wild eliminated the Dallas Stars from playoff contention.  That result gave the Chicago Blackhawks the eighth playoff spot despite failing to clinch earlier in the day due to a loss against Detroit.  Before getting to the heart of the matter (meaning predictions and analysis of each playoff battle), I will give myself a grade for each of the previews from earlier in the season.  Both will be in separate pieces, since I want to give each one its own time.  For now, here are the matchups for round one of the playoffs:

EASTERN CONFERENCE


New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins


WESTERN CONFERENCE


Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Detroit Red Wings
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators

Vomit on a Stick

If you were to ask me which NHL team makes the worst choices when it comes to jerseys, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you it's the Atlanta Thrashers.  Sure, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are close, but in their respective histories, they have had some really good designs (more on those as I get to those teams).  Atlanta, it just simply hasn't happened since their inception in 1999.  Yes, their inaugural jerseys were actually not that bad looking, but the dark jerseys had quite possibly the worst logo idea for the front of their jersey.  It's actually the shoulder patch in a perfect world, but it was inexplicably made the primary logo for the dark jerseys.  Sadly, it's not the worst idea for a jersey...

Yes, the sky blue vomit that the Thrashers call a jersey made their debut in the 2003-04 season, and were made the home jerseys in the 2006-07 season.  Why this jersey is still in existence is beyond me, even with the Reebok Edge design (which is marginally better, though it doesn't even change my opinion).  The things that made the road whites unique were changed with the Reebok design, making it worse.  And then there's the third jersey, which on paper, isn't so bad, but in practice, it just doesn't do anything for the imagination.  Here's a question, do you know anyone who owns a home or alternate Thrashers jersey?  No?  Didn't think so.