So, the Nashville Predators and New York Islanders have followed the Altanta Thrashers into playoff oblivion, and are now making tee time reservations. I am not surprised by Nashville's quick playoff exit; the Predators' record is largely inflated by getting to play 24 games a season against Chicago, Columbus and St. Louis, who collectively are invariably among the worst teams in the NHL (and that trade for Peter Forsberg did wonders for the team, didn't it?). Though I expect the Detroit Red Wings to eliminate the Calgary Flames, don't be shocked if the Red Wings go down in the next round, because their win total, like the Predators', is artificially high because of the division in which they play. Right now, no team is playing better out west than the San Jose Sharks, and that is a team which has all the tools to bring the State of California its first Stanley Cup title.
In the East, the Ottawa Senators dispatched the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Pens fans should by no means despair. The future of that team is so bright that, barring injuries and unexpected free agent departures, it could win several Stanley Cup titles. Maybe this is finally the year that the Ottawa Senators break through and get the Stanley Cup finals, but a second round series against (probably) the New Jersey Devils will pose quite a challenge. As well, the likely matchup of the red hot New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres is no slam dunk. No team is playing better than New York right now, and painful as it may be for Hockey fans in my area to accept, an Eastern Conference Final featuring the Devils and the Rangers is a very real possibility.
All in all, it should be fun to watch..............
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