CFN – It’s Lottery Draft day in the NHL. Today we find out which of the five worst teams in the NHL last season pick first. Is your sphincter tingling too? Tomorrow the play offs start.
As a life long Habs fan it’s anti-climactic with the team off to play golf.
I’m rooting for Ottawa, but like their start to this year’s season, I don’t think there are many high expectations of the team in the play offs.
Fail for Nail Lottery Chances
1) Columbus 48% chance of the number one pick.
2) Edmonton 18.8%
3) Montreal 14%
4) NY Islanders 10%
5) Toronto 8%
Teams can move up to a max of five slots and drop a max of one. So Hab fans can hope for number one, but the worst they’ll can get is 4th.
If they don’t get a chance at one of the two big Russians Tomas Hertl would be a great wing to compliment Tomas Plekanec and of course PK Subban’s little bro Malcolm is the top ranked goalie…
Play Off Picks!
Here are my fearless predictions for the 1st Round of the Play Offs.
NY Rangers hosting Ottawa Senators: The Sens really surprised hockey fans this year. Just about everything worked for the Sens whose gritty style allowed skilled players Spezza and Karlsson to blossom. The Rangers though are the real deal. Though Ottawa preferred a match up with the Rangers than Bruins I’m picking the Rangers in Six.
Vancouver vs LA: Everything says Vancouver except that feeling in my gut. LA has all the tools, but it’s a question of heart and head? Can the two former Flyers get their act together and show they it was a mistake for Philly to dump them? This series has the promise of one of the better ones to watch or be a total dud. Vancouver is not bullet proof especially if Luongo isn’t on his game. Either Nucks in 5 or Kings in 7.
Boston vs Washington: Alex Ovechkin has a ton to proove. Anything short of a show stopping performance in this round and his captaincy should end as his performance since the C was put on his jersey has not been Ovechkin like. Likewise Mr. Semin. The odds are against Washington as Boston is a strong deep team. Tomas Vokoun is playing for a contract though….. Bruins in 5.
St.Louis vs San Jose: Joe Thornton…play offs…. Halak….. Blues in 6
Florida vs New Jersey: Dale Tallon deserves a lot of credit for rebuilding the Panthers and getting them to the Play Offs. New Jersey as a lot of talented Veterans who haven’t been there in awhile and this may be Marty Brodeur’s last kick at the can. Joisy in 5
Phoenix vs Chicago: This is the best possible match up for Chicago. Phoenix can always surprise, but I’d hate to be a Hawk if they lost to the Nordiques Yotes. Chicago in 6
Penguins vs Flyers: Wow this series is going to have it all. Officiating I think will make or break it and Sidney Crosby can’t expect any free passes. The Pronger-less Flyers still are a good team and Ilya Bryzgalov has a lot to prove. Pittsburgh in 7
Nashville vs Detroit: As much as I love Niklas Lidstrom still playing at his age I think Nashville is going to surprise the wings. Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn were great offensive pick ups and Hal Gill in the Play Offs certainly won’t hurt either. This is all or nothing for Nashville. Preds in 6.
So hockey fans, what are your fearless predictions. Post yours below!
