JIM: PENGUINS IN FIVE
I have two reasons for this prediction:
A) Sidney Crosby. Always go with the team with the best player. In basketball and hockey, this theory will prove true more often than not.
B) I was burned on the Rangers last year. I was at the game when they eliminated the Thrashers last year, and they did so in such dominating fashion that I jumped on the bandwagon. Hockey is all about momentum in the postseason, and the Rangers had it.
Or so I thought.
The Rangers, as mentioned before, can be so inconsistent, and I just can't trust them. Yes, they have talent. And I wouldn't be all that surprised if they pushed this series and, who knows, won it. But I just can't go with them. And by no means is this pandering to Islanders fans – I think you guys know by now I don't care what you think of me.
No disrespect, of course.
I'm just going with my gut on this, and that the Rangers will be a quick exit from the second round. And something will happen involving Sean Avery, as well. No surprises there. So, anyway, there it is. Penguins in five. Book it.
ANTHONY: RANGERS IN 7
Unlike you, Jim, I covered the Rangers a little this season. You’re more of an Islanders guy, what with your Al Arbour bashing and your blog box blogging.
I had a feeling that the Rangers were going to be more of a postseason team. It took them the better part of the season to mesh after Scott Gomez and Chris Drury were signed. But what they have now is a) a top-notch goaltender and b) playoff-tested forwards. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gomez and/or Drury both have really big series. This, and not the mid-January games against Columbus, is why they got the big money.
I’m a little concerned about the defense, but I think Lundqvist will make up for any short-comings. Sid the Kid and Malkin present all sorts of problems. It won’t be easy to win this series, and the Rangers may even lose the first two games for three reasons: a) they’re in Pittsburgh b) the seven-day layoff may make them a bit rusty and c) it could take them a game or so to adjust to the Pens’ speed.
Once the Rangers truly get in the series, though, I see them winning in seven. Everyone always predicts the seventh game will be an overtime thriller, but I think the Rangers will win in regulation. Let’s say, 4-2, in Game 7.
What's your prediction?
Comments (6)
I say Rangers easily win in 5, Penguins are not much of a threat besides the first line. They don't have as good a depth and not as physical, and their defense and goaltending is inferior. But (and this is a big "but") we do have idiot coach.
This is a really tough series to call. Logic would dictate that this should be a long seven-gamer, but I think that this will be a short series. I think that one team or the other will establish dominance early, spook the other team out, and finish it off in five. Call it a cop-out, but I think the winner of game one will be that team... either way.
So did Jim pick Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in the first round? Ovechkin was easily the best player in the series and they lost almost as a direct result of him not taking that shot.
I did say in most cases it rings true. Not all. Just like when the Cavs lose, LeBron will be the best player. But the Cavs are not the best team.
All the Pens need to do is roof it on Henke.
Pens in 6.
Hey "bob" - Malkin's on the Pens' second line, therefore you're obviously an idiot. But, you're a Rangers fan, so I completely understand.
Now that the Pens have found a way to overcome 0-3 deficits in the playoffs too (whine all you want about diving Rangers fans - whine gets you an 0-1 record) you'll see the Pens take it in 5. They'll mature from a young and eager team to one that believes it can't lose as long as it plays hard. They'll BELIEVE they can win, and so they shall.