The final four
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
As I write this the four finalists are sharpening their game skates and taping their lucky sticks in the NHL Stanley Cup finals. Its just about ‘drop the puck’ time
It’s the perfect time to review my previous rounds predictions and give my final guesses. So here’s my column predications from a few weeks back. Results in italics.
“There really is no one team that clearly stands out as the cup winner though Colorado, Carolina and Dallas are favoured by many. Parity has successfully infiltrated the entire league.
“Boston versus Buffalo – my heart wants Boston but the young, talent ladened Sabres will win this in a rough and scramble series of six games. Thompson and Dahlin will lead the charge.”
Buffalo won in six games.
“I never thought I would see the day I would be cheering for the Montreal Canadians however I am this year. I love their young team, especially the skills of Slafkovsky, Demidov, Hutson, and Caufield. Montreal will edge the highly ranked favourite Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. This may be the biggest upset of the entire playoffs.”
Looking brilliant. Lol Montreal won in seven grinding games.
“Carolina will clobber Ottawa. As much as I am hoping to see our Canadian teams prevail, Ottawa’s lack of discipline will cost them too many penalties. Ottawa will be done in six games with Aho and Svechnikov being the stars.”
Carolina won in four.
“Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are meant to meet each other. It’s a rivalry that just has to be. This will be a barn-burner series with nonstop hits and rough stuff. If anyone survives this series it will be Pittsburgh in seven. Rely on the old dogs of Crosby, Malkin and Letang to do the biting.”
Wrong on this one – Philadelphia had the bigger bite winning in six games.
“L.A. versus Colorado should be a cake walk for the mile high city. Colorado and Carolina should meet in the final and LA is not about to interrupt that schedule. Colorado has a cup coming to them based on talent alone. Colorado in a sweep of four games. McKinnon and Makar will dazzle the spectators.”
Too easy. Colorado swept LA in four games.
“Dallas and Minnesota. Most pundits are picking Dallas to win this opening salvo but I’m not. The Wild has a couple of superstars at key positions and that will be all they need to carry their club forward. Kaprizov, Hughes and Tarasenko will turn the trick for Minnesota with Hughes getting the winning goal in the seventh game.”
Minnesota dumped Dallas in six.
“Vegas and Utah excite me the most because I have no idea what to expect. Utah is basically a new team having found a new home and plugging together a team. Vegas is a collection of gems and throwaways, led by star Jack Eichel and my favourite Mitch Marner. Vegas will win the series in six games.”
Vegas hit the jackpot rolling over Utah in six games.
“Last but not least Edmonton Oilers will finally get their game and team together at the right time of year. They will take on a hot and talented Anaheim Ducks team and step on their beaks in six games.”
Wrong on me. Anaheim played a team game – which the Oil did not. Goaltending failed Edmonton as was suspected.
Vegas moved forward (not Edmonton) and continued to roll heavy dice edging Anaheim in the next round in six bouts.
All of which leads us to the final four and my predictions, which arrives on your doorstep or laptop today.
I just finished surviving the seventh-game heart-stopping overtime victory Montreal played with Buffalo. Wonderful nail biting.
Vegas will now take on the powerhouse and highly favoured Colorado Avalanche while Montreal breathes for a day or two before travelling to Carolina for the other semi-final series.
Logic says Colorado should edge Vegas knights while Carolina should slide over Montreal – however these playoffs have not been that easy of a read.
My heart wants a Montreal-Vegas final. My brain says a Colorado – Carolina.
So I’m calling a Montreal – Colorado with the Habs doing the unbelievable and taking the Stanley Cup home.
My four finalists for the Conn Smythe are Mitch Marner, Jakub Dobes, Nathan MacKinnon or Sebastian Aho.
There you are. Post this on the fridge to laugh at later, and enjoy the games.
