Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

A mere few minutes prior to the first puck dropping in anger, in the Stanley Cup 2009 Playoffs, I shall dare a preliminary prediction of what will unfold in the first Round of 16. Ready to eat my words in a week or two; here is my initial bet:

East

Boston vs. Montreal

What a match-up! Two rivals going head-to-head in the first round. Montreal celebrating 100 years; whilst Boston celebrates winning the Eastern Conference, this year. It will most likely be a tough series with sparks flying. However, Boston has, in my view, the upper hand both when it comes to physical strength and overall quality – and last but not least – goaltending.

My bet: Boston wins the series 4-1.

Washington vs. NY Rangers

Will the offensive prowess of the Capitals trump the gritty grinding Rangers down? I think that this will be a game that goes all the way down the wire, but the New Yorkers superior goaltending in the form of Henrik Lundqvist may very well be the difference in the end.

My bet: NY Rangers win series 4-3.

New Jersey vs. Carolina

Two teams similar in many ways and with plenty of tools to make a concerted run in the playoffs. However, one of them must be eliminated and odds are it will be fellow Southeasterners Carolina which is forced to fold in the end. Considering both sides have superb goaltending, it will be many close games, probably with a few overtime victories that will be decisive. My guess is that the Devils have the extra manpower and grit to grind down the Hurricanes.

My bet: New Jersey win series 4-3.

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

A resurgent Penguins side should have the quality to see of a Flyers side that lack either good goaltending or a solid defense. Too many penalties from their aggressive style brand of hockey – could also be costly if the Pittsburgh superstars are given too much room to operate in. Pittsburgh is a dark horse in this year’s Stanley Cup and will be a threat to anyone in the East anyway. Should be able to see off Philadelphia rather comfortably in the end – although it may hurt along the way…

My bet: Pittsburgh win series 4-1.

West

San Jose vs. Anaheim

Probably the one team the Sharks didn’t want to meet and the one they could have problems seeing off in the end. The power of a resurgent Ducks’ side is not to be underestimated. Although, I can’t quite see the President Trophy winners being eliminated in the first round, they could come too close for comfort.

My bet: San Jose win series 4-3.

Detroit vs. Columbus

So, Columbus finally made it to the postseason, aye? Well, hope they enjoyed the ride up until this point; because it’s likely to be a case of “here, but no further”. The reigning Stanley Cup champions should, despite a shaky penalty kill and goaltending, have enough juice to see off the Jackets. Might be a spill or two along the way, but this should be one for the bank.

My bet: Detroit win series 4-1.

Vancouver vs. St. Louis

Like their fellow Central Division foes Columbus, St. Louis will be thrilled to be in a playoff at all, but are unlikely to progress – despite an impressive end to the regular season. Could be a premature closing stage for the Blues, after a mere four games played, but that would be too cruel wouldn’t it?

My bet: Vancouver win series 4-0.

Chicago vs. Calgary

This is likely to be the most interesting game from a neutrals perspective. Chicago are a young up-and-coming side that have done exceptionally well to get this far and in the manner they have achieved their success. Calgary made the biggest splash on transfer deadline day by acquiring the old Panther captain Olli Jokinen. Whether he’ll be the Flames’ answer to playoff success I’ll leave unsaid, but at least the guy gets to play in the playoffs once… Would expect the grit and strength of Calgary to be the tipping point somewhere along the road in this series, question is if skill and style can overcome muscle hockey and cause what, despite ranking, must be seen as an upset. I don’t think so, but I hope I’m wrong…

My bet: Calgary win series 4-2.

Tomorrows transfer deadline will be eagerly anticipated by hockey fans everywhere with a mixture of dread and hope. Some General Manager’s will be more active than others and some will want to get their deals done already. In fact, some have. Here are the deals made today:

Sean Avery claimed by NY Rangers on re-entry waivers

No surprises here. The New York Rangers are obviously desperate and need any help they can get. From a financial (rather than sporting) viewpoint, this is a good deal for the Rangers. They get a big nasty centerman that can help them in their playoff bid and only need to pay half the bill. Dallas will lovingly pick up the other half, seeing as he was claimed on re-entry waivers. Avery has a $ 3.8 million yearly wage and it runs for another 3 year’s after this season. Coach John Tortorella who said Avery “doesn’t belong in this league” will have to learn to love Sean the way GM Glen Sather does…

Meanwhile, another recent Rangers waiver claim, Mark Bell, is sent to Hartford in the AHL to make room for Sean’s princely salary.

Nicklas Backstrom locked up in Wild

After a season of speculation that the Minnesota Wild may have to trade their All Star goalie Nicklas Backstrom on the deadline, if he didn’t sign a new deal – a new deal was signed. It’s a four-year deal worth $ 24 million, which will keep the inspirational netminder locked up to the organization for the foreseeable future. Nicklas had always said he’d like to remain with Minnesota and the Wild clearly wanted him to stay too. This is a great deal for Minnesota’s GM Doug Risebrough and the franchise.

Calgary claim D Nycholat on waivers from Canucks

The Flames were looking for some added defensive depth and got it for free as they claimed Lawrence Nycholat on waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, TSN reports. Calgary GM Darryl Sutter said in a statement: "We were prepared to give up a draft pick to acquire a depth defenseman." Well he got what he wanted and got to keep the draft pick; sounds like a good deal to me!

High profile players placed on waivers

In an attempt to shed salary before the trade deadline, some high profile players have been placed on waivers by their respective teams, TSN reports. The four most notable are:

Miroslav Satan was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh. The Penguins had hoped he’d take a wing spot next to Crosby, but the $ 3.5 million winger didn’t get any chemistry going with Sidney – and now he’s on waivers…

Brendan Morrison was placed on waivers by Anaheim.The Ducks need the cap space because of players returning from injury and Brendan never really got going in Anaheim.

Gary Roberts was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay. The 42-year old veteran forward is expected to attract some attention from tams around the league, including Calgary; where Roberts won the Stanley Cup in 1989.

Martin Gerber was (again) placed on waivers by Ottawa in the hope that someone would take his wages from their hands. Whether anyone is willing to gamble on the out-of-form Swiss netminder this time around however; remains to be seen.

More waiver-claim-eligibles: Brenden Bell was also placed on waivers by Ottawa, Aaron Voros by the New York Rangers and Erik Reitz and Eric Perrin by the Thrashers. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks put Craig Adams on waivers, while Islanders did the same with Jon Sim.

Burrows signed to new Canucks deal

The Vancouver Canucks gritty winger Alex Burrows was signed to a new four-year deal. The 27-year old has managed to work himself up from the ‘energy’ lines up to the top lines and is now rewarded with an $ 8 million dollars worth 4-year deal. It had been rumored the Canucks would trade Burrows if no deal was signed, but now those fears are dispelled in Vancouver and some will sleep a bit sounder tonight.

The playoff race, both in the Eastern and Western Conferences, has been tightening up after the All Star break. Many teams are involved and have a realistic shot at making the post-regular season games.

Especially in the West. All teams in fact have a realistic shot at making the playoffs there!

It is no secret that the Western Conference is the stronger of the two half’s of the NHL; dominating inter-conference play since 2005/6. Only two western teams are below .500 versus eastern opposition (St. Louis and Anaheim). No surprise then that the Western Conferences’ teams have generally more points on the lower half of the table than its Eastern counterparts – and that the playoff race is much more congested.

Every point is pivotal for these clubs and one win could potentially catapult a team up the standings – while a loss could consequently set lose a freefall down the table.

Yesterday two games of playoff importance were played in the west. Phoenix went to Detroit to try and avoid a fifth straight loss, while the Red Wings were also digging deep to try and find some form. Propelled by another Marian Hossa show, the home team ended up on top (winning 5-4) after a late goal from Nicklas Lidstrom on the power-play. Former Panther Olli Jokinen has been called upon lately by the Coyotes to lead by example; but for a fifth game in a row he failed to come up with any goods to help the struggling franchises cause. Now why is it, that he has never played a playoff game in his career, I wonder?

A pitched battle was in the meantime being contested in Minnesota between the Wild and Ducks. While Anaheim has seen some much sought after wins of late, they came up with nothing against a defensively dogged home side. Niklas Backstrom came up big between the pipes, denying the swirling Ducks any goals from 34 shots. Minnesota meanwhile scored three to win the match three-nothing.

Vancouver Canucks snapped a long losing streak the day before yesterday when they made Florida a great favor by defeating Carolina 4-3 in a rare home-ice victory. Yesterday they also announced a trade with Anaheim; receiving D Nathan McIver while giving up RW Mike Brown.

So, Vancouver are back in playoff contention and Edmonton will hope to make a similar bounce back; after losing 2-10 at home to Buffalo immediately after the All-Star break then won one (against Minnesota 3-1) and now have another two consecutive defeats (vs. Nashville 1-2 and Chicago 1-3).

The in-form team of the moment is Dallas Stars; who now have racked up five straight triumphs. This impressive streak started before the All Star break, when the Stars visited Sunrise and beat the Panthers in an imposing 4-1 fashion. They followed up this with wins against Atlanta 2-0, Detroit 4-2, Columbus 7-3 and Calgary 3-1. Early season difficulties and off-ice controversy (Sean Avery) has been overcome and the Stars are looking sharp at the moment!

Otherwise the only teams with consecutive wins or defeats, outside the top four – which look set for playoff qualification, is Nashville with two wins (against Edmonton and Phoenix, both won 2-1) and Columbus – with two defeats (again Dallas 3-7 and St. Louis 2-4).

Here is the Western Conference Standings at this time, but expect changes to occur on a daily basis…