If I had any doubts before, I don't now
posted by matt saler @ 6/01/2006 10:28:00 PM ::
7 comments
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With their 4-2 win over my second pick to win the Cup, Buffalo, in tonight's Eastern Conference Final Game 7, Peter Kamanos' team will head to the Finals for the second time in four seasons. All the more reason to cheer for Edmonton, I say. Carolina will host the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night.
7 Comments:
As I predicted in the middle of the season, I think Carolina will take the Cup this year. I think they have the grit to overcome Edmonton. If they can take out Buffalo, they can certainly beat Edmonton. They'll win in six games. It's been a great playoff run this year, and I'm excited for a great finish from both teams.
-firebird995
I haven't followed Carolina all that closely but from what I saw last night, it looks like you could be right. Edmonton has had a lucky streak a mile wide (accompanying their hard work) and will need that to continue if they want to beat the 'Canes, who are pretty lucky themselves.
I like how everyone is saying they predicted this or that this time of year :) I'll be totally honest and say I had picked San Jose in the West and the Devils in the East. Carolina was probably my second pick from the East and Calgary my second pick from the West.
As for my pick in the Finals, I'm not sure I know enough about the Oilers to predict how they will react to the 9 days off. But I have a hard time thinking Carolina goaltender Cam Ward can continue his success into the Finals. He's a rookie! Oilers in 6.
This is why I try not to make predictions. I may mention the team I'm cheering for but that doesn't mean I'm picking them to win. Too much can happen to make predictions worth it.
This Final is as up in the air as any, I think. Certainly not like the last two Finals the Wings were in, where it seemed very lopsided in their favor. Carolina has the advantage in seeding but Edmonton seems to be unstoppable.
The Oilers also have the edge in goaltending, I'd say. Ward has been good for Carolina but you have to think his inexperience will come back to haunt him sometime, as you pointed out, Brian.
I tend to lean toward rooting for the Oil, since their winning the Cup would SOMEWHAT vindicate the Wings. That and Canadians deserve another Cup winner. It's been 13 years since Montreal won it in '93. Too long for that country. Imagine if the Superbowl or World Series champ were from another country for 13 years! Unthinkable!
However, I also have a soft spot for the Canes because a close friend of mine (former Michigander and also a Wings fan) lives down there and has gone Hurricanes bonkers. He has tickets to all the Finals games in Raleigh...but since I only want him to have a chance to SEE the Cup presented, regardless of who wins. I'm sure he'll appreciate it as well. So...leaning toward the Oil with a soft spot for Carolina. This should be fun.
As far as predictions. I predict that lots of hockey will be played, and I will enjoy it while drinking Labatt. You can take that to the bank!
It's funny how quickly a series prediction can fly out the window...
Oiler's fans should blame Bergeron for checking the Canes' Ladd into Roloson. Conklin made a painfully bad gaffe but he hasn't had the time in net to expect much. Hopefully they realize that and direct more of the blame toward Bergeron.
Now the Oilers are stuck with Markkanen and Conklin. Ugh.
I was sadly unable to see the first game of the series, but I did catch some highlights. With Roloson out, the Oilers will have a harder time. But let's remember that it's not just Roloson that wins for the team. They have a great defense that played in front of Roloson every night. They can still put up a fight. I still think it will be a good series. Any more goals like the Brind'Amour goal, though, and Edmonton is done.
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