The first round of the NHL playoffs is in the books and the second round is ready to go starting tonight with Detroit visiting San Jose. I went 6-8 for the first round and as far as predictions go, that’s not bad. Don’t fret though, there are three more rounds of potential jinxes for me to provoke. Let’s get round two started with a preview of the series beginning tonight.
(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings
Players to Watch:
The Entire First Line, Sharks- If it weren’t for the heroics of “the other Joe,” Joe Pavelski, and his inspired play during the first round, we’d probably be talking about another San Jose choke job. But as we saw, J-Pav came through big time and it turned out that the Capitals had dibs on the first round pants-shitting anyway, so the Sharks head into round two. But, if Dany Heatley isn’t healthy, Patrick Marleau continues to play like he is skating with an erection and Joe Thornton continues to look like he is attempting to play with Marleau’s erection, the Wings are going to have a field day. Hey guys, the playoffs started.
Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Red Wings- After the first few games of the Phoenix series, pundits were wondering if Lidstrom was finally slowing down. His play was erratic and lacking the laser-sharp focus we have come to take for granted with him. For the first time in his career, he was being questioned openly. Well all those questions lasted long didn’t they? A few short hours before Lidstrom turned 40 years old, he did his part in bringing the Coyotes to their knees with a dominating performance in game seven. The regal defender is back in form which means the plight of the Sharks’ top scorers isn’t getting any easier.
How I see It:
After a scary first round series against the Avalanche, the Sharks have the aura of a team that said to itself, “we survived! WE MADE IT!” Well, guys you did. Here’s your reward: a Detroit Red Wings team hitting its stride after a nice, healthy first round test against Phoenix. For all intents and purposes, this series looks like it could be a classic. On paper, it’s the most entertaining potential matchup left in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Sharks rarely come through when we need and or want them to (use any comparison you want: dead beat dad, hottest girl in high school who you are devastated to learn is horrible at INSERT VERB HERE, Mr. Belding’s brother Rod from “Saved By the Bell”) so this series is probably going to disappoint you if you are expecting a seven-game, multiple overtime classic. Both teams have evenly matched special teams, forwards and defense. On top of that, both goalies are a question mark. The pieces are indeed here. But judging by past history and by what we saw in the first round, I don’t see the Sharks big three competing with a Wings team that’s getting that look back in its eyes. Especially not when Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are doing shit like this. Get the golf clubs ready, San Jose! Wings in six.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
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