"Cup Crazy: Tucker's Picks"


16 Wins…that is all it takes sound easy? HELL NO. Teams have to go through hell to get the privilege of hosting Lord Stanley’s Cup in the air. In order to that every player will go through emotional highs and lows not mention constant physical pain that playoff hockey brings. Sometimes its just a matter of who is left standing that wins a series. 16 of the 30 NHL teams have a big ticket to get into the big show. In many ways all their accomplishments of the regular season have gone out the window. I have seen 8 seeds overturn the number one seed, so everything is possible.

The regular season is when players set personal records and show off their skills. They can become stars. The playoffs however is where legends are born. Every shift, every shot, every save, every hit and every goal has the potential to become one people talk about for years. Famous still photographs such as Bobby Orr flying through the air come to mind. This is the time and as of right now ever team getting ready to lace it up has their eye on the prize. A journey that will take two months is about to start.

So I am going to run down real quick my first round picks.


(1) Ottawa vs (8) Islanders

The Islanders were dumb for trading away Osgood. They are basically sitting duck who are going to get blown out of the water by the Sens. Ottawa has been looking to prove themselves in the playoffs for years after many successful regular seasons. They will get their shot with push over of an opponent in the first round, and should knock off the Islanders in 5 games.

(2) New Jersey Vs (7) Boston

This should be a good series the bruins will fight tooth and nail to try to over turn the playoff machine that is the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins are a better team than they were last year and could gain a ton of confidence if they win game one and immediately put the Devils in a tough spot. If they win the first game they have splitting in the meadow lands this series could surprise the hockey world. However I think the Devils will be too much for the boys from bean town and will advance in a hard fought 7 games.

(3) Tampa Bay Vs Washington(6)

Tampa is lucky they got such an amazing start this season, because they fell apart in the middle of the season. With out that great start the could very easily be golfing this week instead of grinding out for Lord Stanely’s Cup. Although it seems this team has finally arrived with the likes of Boyle, Richard, Prospal..etc…but I think the more experienced Caps will be too much for the bolts who are likely to fill overwhelmed in the uncharted territory known as the post season. I give this one to the Caps in 6.

(4) Philly vs Toronto (5)

I hate predicted my own teams fate because I always feel either like I am being baised or being a trader. I have to say though the Flyers are popping at the right time of year. The Leafs are about as a dirty as a team as the league allows in this day and age and it certainly won’t be an easy starting point to the road to the cup. The Flyers will be bullied big time and its going to be a hell of a series. I am confident that the boys in Orange and Black will remain standing after 6 games and advance to the second round.


WEST


(1) Stars vs Oilers (8)

The Oilers have a ticket to the big bash this year and would love to ruin the Dallas Stars time. The Oilers have made their mark the last few years as the team that refuses to roll over and die to much more talented teams. The Oilers will play with heart but they are in way over their heads and the Stars should easily crush their dreams and send them packing in 5 games. The Stars are simply white hot right now and the home ice advantage will actually play a part in this series.


(2) Red Wings vs Might Ducks of Anaheim (7)

The battle of the octopus and the duck has begun. The Redwings are still an amazing team. I have had a chance to see this team play (on ESPN) twice in the past month. They are quite simply amazing to watch. I don’t even think anyone in the country could honestly pick the Ducks in this series. As a hockey fan watching the Red Wings play is extremely impressive. Seeing as where over half the roster are easily shoe ins for the hall of fame that’s no surprise. Red Wings in 4.



(3) Colorado vs Minnesota (6)
The Wild really impressed the NHL by making it this far. They are one of the best defensive teams in the league and the lanche are one of the most offensive. Put that together and you get a pretty interesting series. I honestly think this series will be a lot closer than most people and I am going to give the LACNHE the edge in 7 games.


(4) VanCover vs St Louis

Vancover is easily one of the best young teams I have seen in a long time. With all their leading scorers and all. I love this Vancouver team. It breaks my heart to say that they won’t win. I have just had a gut feeling since like January that the Blues are going to go far. The Canaucks remind me a bit of those good ole’ boys from Hartford. I really want Vancover to go far just so the team makes some damn money. However I am going to have to go with the Blues in 7 heart breaking games.