Playoff Picks

I know It's early and I know this is a Habs blog, but with the season basically finished, I needed something to write about. Here are the two teams that I think will reach the Cup Final, who will win and why. Enjoy

Western Conference: Nashville Predators
Two words: Pekka. Rinne. Then in front of Rinne you have defencemen Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Hal Gill. The bottom line is that this team is not going to let up a lot of goals. The Predators forwards are a bit suspect at times however with the addition of Andrei Kostitsyn at the deadline and Alexander Radulov returning from the KHL, this team suddenly has some talent to put the rubber in the net. Plus with a great checking line centered by Paul Gaustad, opposing team's top forwards will be shut down. Last but not least, Barry Trotz, one of the NHL's best coaches, will surely find a way to game-plan against any team the Preds face.

Eastern Conference: Pittsburgh Penguins

When you have the offensive talent that Pittsburgh does with Geno Malkin and James Neal; adding Sidney (The Croz) Crosby just makes things straight out unfair. Crosby just recently returned from a long absence and has added another dimension to the Penguins already super-skilled offence. Kris Letang also returned from an injury and with the way Marc-Andre Fleury has been playing, the Pens are looking to make a deep playoff run. Add in the experience that this team has (cup winners only a few years back) along with their incredible coaching staff led by Dan Bylsma, it will be very hard to knock the Pens out of the playoffs.

Head-To-Head:

Offense: 

This is obvious. The Kostitsyn brothers and Alex Radulov do not compare to Malkin, Crosby, Neal and co.

Advantage: Pittsburgh

Defence:

Ryan Suter and Shea Weber have been one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL this season. Add in the experience Hal Gill and the choice is clear. Other than Kris Letang, the Pens don't have any great blue-liners.

Advantage: Nashville

Goalies:

This one is super close. In my opinion Rinne and Fleury are equal, so it will come down to the back-up goalies. Anders Lindback (NSH) is much better than either Brett Thiessen or Brent Johnson (PIT).

Advantage: Nashville

Coaching:

Once again this is a very close call. So close that there is no winner.

Result: Draw

2011-2012 Cup Champions: Nashville Predators

Reason: Offense wins games, defense (and goaltending) wins championships. Nuff Said.

CHeers

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