NHL Playoffs: Round 2 Predictions

First, a recap. I was 7/8 in the first round, missing only the Anaheim upset. Of course, I did say that the Ducks would take it to six games, so I was partly right. Not too shabby overall. Now onto the next round:

Western Conference

2 Detroit vs 8 Anaheim
- The Ducks are definitely better than an eighth seed, but Detroit is not San Jose. Detroit in 6.

3 Vancouver vs 4 Chicago
- Chicago is a great team, but the Canucks' defence is healthy and their goaltender is peaking, two things that could not be said about the Flames. Vancouver in 7.

Eastern Conference

1 Boston vs 6 Carolina
- The 'Canes played well against the Devils, but Boston is a deeper, more talented squad. And Chara will shut down Staal. Boston in 6.

2 Washington vs 4 Pittsburgh
- The match-up that the NHL has yearned for these past four years is here. Two superstars and a seasoned goalie is a better formula than one superstar and a rookie in net. Pittsburgh in 7.

NHL Playoffs: Round 1 Predictions

My sense is that there will be a couple of tight series in Round 1 but most will be rather unbalanced. Here's my predictions:

Western Conference

1 San Jose vs. 8 Anaheim
- Projects to be one of the best first round series, but the all-round impressive Sharks will prevail. San Jose in 6.

2 Detroit vs. 7 Columbus
- Columbus will simply be over-matched by the star-studded Red Wings. Detroit in 5.

3 Vancouver vs. 6 St. Louis
- How did St. Louis rise to 6th? What a finish. Unfortunately their lack of playoff experience will show against the solid D and excellent goaltending of the Canucks. Vancouver in 5.

4 Chicago vs. 6 Calgary
- Chicago will prove themselves by taking care of the Flames but Iginla and co. will not go quietly. Maybe the most unpredictable match-up. Chicago in 7.

Eastern Conference

1 Boston vs. 8 Montreal
- The storied rivalry will have to wait till next season to resume in force. The deep and hungry Bruins will dominate the hapless Habs. Boston in 5.

2 Washington vs. 7 New York Rangers
- Lundqvist may steal one and Theodore will probably give one away. Washington in 6.

3 New Jersey vs 6 Carolina
- Not a good match-up for the Devils. Parise will find it difficult to lead this team to victory against the streaking Hurricanes. Carolina in 6.

4 Pittsburgh vs 5 Philadelphia
- Has the potential to be the most exciting series with loads of firepower at both ends. But goaltending favours the Penguins, who showed they are a legitimate Stanley Cup threat last post-season. Pittsburgh in 6.

Just to give you a sense of what I am thinking long-term, here is my roster for the office playoff pool.

Sidney Crosby, PIT
Daniel Sedin, VCR
Chris Kunitz, PIT
Bill Guerin, PIT
Ryan Clowe, SJ
Petr Sykora, PIT
Devin Setoguchi, SJ
Jordan Staal, PIT
Alex Burrows, VCR
Ruslan Fedotenko, PIT
Sami Salo, VCR
Tyler Kennedy, PIT

NHL Hardware

Now that the NHL regular season has ended, here are my picks for the major awards. Playoff predictions to follow soon.

HART MEMORIAL

Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, WAS
What to say? Alexander the Great is the greatest hockey player in the League today and no other player has as large an impact on his team's success. The stats I really like: his 243 hits and 528 shots.
Runners-Up: Pavel Datsyuk, DET; Zach Parise, NJ.

JAMES NORRIS

Winner: Mike Green, WAS
It's been awhile since a defenceman scored 30 goals and that's hard to overlook. He's a force on the power play but also at even strength. And he's not the defensive liability some think he is.
Runners-Up: Zdeno Charo, BOS; Niklas Lidstrom, DET.

VEZINA TROPHY

Winner: Steve Mason, CLB
His 10 shut-outs lead the league despite starting the year in the AHL and a mid-season bout with mono. He wouldn't be the first rookie goaltender to win the Vezina but let's hope he sticks around longer than Jim Carey.
Runners-up: Tim Thomas, BOS; Niklas Backstrom, MIN.

CALDER MEMORIAL

Winner: Steve Mason, CLB
See above for explanation. No rookie skater can match his achievements this year.
Runners-Up: Pekka Rinne, NSH; Bobby Ryan, ANA.

FRANK J. SELKE

Winner: Mike Richards, PHI
This trophy is usually awarded based on reputation and in Richards' case the reputation is warranted. He checks, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties, scores shorties - everything that typically earns Selke consideration.
Runners-Up: Mikko Koivu, MIN; Craig Conry, CGY.

JACK ADAMS

Winner: Joel Quenneville, CHI
Expectations were high for the Blackhawks from the outset. After faltering through the first couple of weeks Quenneville was brought in and he delivered. The young Hawks quietly emerged as one of the League's elite teams. Plus, I don't think Quenneville received the respect he deserved for the job he did in Colorado last season.
Runners-Up: Claude Julien, BOS; Andy Murray, STL.

MLB Predictions 2009: Part II

Here are my best guesses (1 through 3) for various individual categories including the major awards and a few important statistical categories. Note that I exclude saves because it is a generally stupid statistic.

American League

MVP: 1. Justin Morneau, MIN; 2. Miguel Cabrera; 3. Mark Teixeira, NYY.
Batting: 1. Miguel Cabrera, DET; 1. Robinson Cano, NYY; 3. Derek Jeter, NYY.
Home Runs: 1. Miguel Cabrera, DET; 2. Josh Hamilton, TEX; 3. Mark Teixeira, NYY.
RBI: 1. Mark Teixeira, NYY; 2. Justin Morneau, TEX; 3. Jason Bay, BOS.
Steals: 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS; 2. B.J. Upton, TB; 3. Brian Roberts, BAL.

Cy Young: 1. Roy Halladay, TPR; 2. Jon Lester, BOS; 3. C.C. Sabathia, NYY.
ERA: 1. Roy Halladay, TOR; 2. Jon Lester, BOS; 3. Zach Greinke, KC.
Wins: 1. C.C. Sabathia, NYY; 2. Jon Lester, BOS; 3. Roy Halladay, TOR.
Ks: 1. Felix Hernandez, SEA; 2. Scott Kazmir, TB; 3. Zach Greinke, KC.

Rookie: 1. David Price, TB; 2. Matt Wieters, BAL; 3. Travis Snider, TOR.

National League

MVP: 1. Albert Pujols, STL; 2. David Wright, NYM; 3. Manny Ramirez, LAD.
Batting: 1. Albert Pujols, STL; 2. Manny Ramirez, LAD; 3. Hanley Ramirez, FLA.
Home Runs: 1. Ryan Howard, PHI; 2. Prince Fielder, MIL; 3. Albert Pujols, STL.
RBI: 1. Ryan Howard, PHI; 2. Albert Pujols, STL; 3. David Wright, NYM.
Steals: 1. Jose Reyes, NYM; 2. Hanley Ramirez, FLA; 3. Jimmy Rollins, PHI.

Cy Young: 1. Johan Santana, NYM; 2. Brandon Webb, ARI; 3. Tim Lincecum, SF.
ERA: 1. Tim Lincecum, SF; 2. Johan Santana, NYM; 3. Jake Peavy, SD.
Wins: 1. Johan Santana, NYM; 2. Brandon Webb,ARI; 3. Chad Billingsley, LAD.
Ks: 1. Tim Lincecum, SF; 2. Johan Santana, NYM; 3. Cole Hamels, PHI.

Rookie: 1. Cameron Maybin, FLA; 2. Colby Rasmus, STL; 3. Dexter Fowler, COL.

MLB Predictions 2009

The major league season opens next week. Here are my predictions for the final standings. The * indicates wild card berth for the post-season. Predictions for various awards and statistical categories will follow later.

American League
EAST
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees*
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
CENTRAL
Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Chicago White Sox
WEST
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners

National League
EAST
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies*
Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals
CENTRAL
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates
WEST
Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres