East/West How We Did and Playoff Preditions...

A regular season has come and gone, and there have been no words on this blog. I am sad for that. But I will make no promises to correct this right now. I have, however, said I will try to be more active on twitter for the playoffs, so check out @NHTProductions there! But you don't think I'd let the NHL playoffs begin without predictions now, do you?!

Okay, first things first. How we did, all those many months ago....
* Correct Pick
+ Correct Seeding

Prediction----
Western Conference:Vancouver
Chicago
San Jose
Nashville
Detroit
Los Angeles
St. Louis
Anaheim

Reality----Vancouver*+
St. Louis*
Phoenix
Nashville*+
Detroit*+
Chicago*
San Jose*
Los Angeles*

In direct contrast to most years, I got 7/8 picks correct in the West and 3 slotted in correctly. I'll take it! (Super ironically the one team I did not include was my Western favorite Coyotes, who made a run and took the division. Very happy I was wrong there!)

And now the East...

Predictions----
Eastern Conference:Washington
Boston
Philadelphia
Buffalo
RANGERS
Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh
Montreal

Reality----RANGERS*
Boston*+
Florida
Pittsburgh*
Philadelphia*
New Jersey
Washington*
Ottawa

And in direct contrast to the norm, I bombed the East, going only 5/8 and getting only 1 pick in slot. I mean of course I am thrilled I was wrong with the Rangers. (First place!) It's ironic that the first year in a long time that I don't put Florida to squeak in, they win the division, although barely. And Montreal could not have been much worse. I thought this would be the year NJ finally fell, and it seemed it for a bit. Who knows.

Anyway - Congratulations Rangers and Coyotes - both Division Champs!


And now, playoff predictions, with no fuss, because I really have no clue how things will shake out this time! As if I ever am.


West:
Vancouver (over Los Angeles) in 6
St. Louis (over San Jose) in 5
Phoenix (over Chicago) in 6
Nashville (over Detroit) in 7

East:
Rangers (over Ottawa) in 6
Boston (over Washington) in 7
Philadelphia (over Pittsburgh) in 7
New Jersey (over Florida) in 6


I think if any series is a sweep it will be St. Louis/San Jose, but I am not picking any sweeps. Series I'm most scared of - New York/Ottawa for obvious reasons. Series I am most excited for - Philly/Pittsburgh - that is going to be amazing! Series I am most confused over who will win - Washington/Boston.

As for our boys in blue, I think they have their hands full, but they are rested, they are mostly healthy, and they have destiny in their own hands. It was nice not to have to push to make the playoffs. But in some ways that made them ready to fight from the start. They'll have to rely on their heart and their spunk and get off to a fast start in this one. Smart hockey. And I believe they can win. Anything can happen, but I believe they hold their fate in their own hands. Best of luck Rangers! Continue to make us proud.

Everyone enjoy the 2012 NHL Playoffs! Best time of the year...

=)