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"CBJ"
Harrisburg, PA • United States • 23 Years Old • Male
The first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will draw to a close on Wednesday night, the same time the second round of the playoffs commences.

On Wednesday, the round one matchup (game 7) is between the Pacific Division winning Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the first wild card team Nashville Predators. The series has been a sea saw battle as these teams are on the same level. The Ducks have two top centers in Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, and another young one in the making in Richard Rakell. The Predators have a veteran center group in Mike Riberio, Mike Fisher, and Paul Gaustad, but have a good young center in Ryan Johansen. The Predators and Ducks have two of the best defensive groups in the entire NHL, with Shea Weber and Roman Josi on Nashville; and Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm on Anaheim. The Ducks and Predators have solid goaltenders, but both starting goaltenders have not been that impressive this series. John Gibson struggled for Anaheim, but Freddrik Andersen has helped them win three straight games; Pekka Rinne stole two games in California, and helped them win game six. The winner of the series plays the San Jose Sharks, who I think stole the series from the Los Angeles Kings early.

If either team gets eliminated, it is the "demons" that surround each team. Ducks' coach Bruce Broudreau has struggled in the postseason his entire coaching career. Broudreau could not get a team with star players including Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, and Nicklas Backstrom to the Stanley Cup; and he has not been able to get the Ducks past the Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators have not been able to get over the playoff hump for years, and the Preds think the solution is in acquiring a young number one center in Ryan Johasnen, who has only been in the playoffs once in his career.

My prediction is the Ducks take down the Predators tonight as Anaheim is a much deeper and more skilled team. The only reason I see the Predators taking down the Ducks is the exhaustion the Ducks have after a long turnaround season, going from a team near the bottom of the league and not scoring to a team winning the Pacific Division.

Second Round Matchups

P. Washington Capitals v. 2M. Pittsburgh Penguins

2A. Tampa Bay Lightning v. 1WC. New York Islanders

Z. Dallas Stars v. 2C. St. Louis Blues

2P. San Jose Sharks v. 1P. Anaheim Ducks/1WC. Nashville Predators

Eastern Conference Predictions

The Capitals are an all around talented team with skill, size, and depth. The Caps have good, young players in Tom Wilson, Andre Burkavosky, and Evgeny Kuznetsov. They have a experience and finesse in Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Justin "Mr. Game 7" Williams. They have young goalies in Braden Holtby and Phillip Grabauer. Pittsburgh has tremendous skill on offense with Sidney Crosby on line one; Evegni "Geno" Malkin on line two; and Phil Kessel on line three. On defense, they have (I think) five offensive defensemen in Oli Maatta, Kris Letang, Derick Pouliot, Justin Schultz, and Trevor Daley. The Pens also have two young goalies in Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry while their number one (Marc-Andre Fleury) is out with a concussion.

Prediction: Hardest matchup to choose for me, but I think the Penguins will beat the Capitals in seven games.

The battle of No. 91 starts in south Florida where the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Islanders. The Bolts are a well rested team after knocking off the Detroit Red Wings in 5 games, without one of their best forwards in Steven Stamkos and defensemen in Anton Stralman. The Bolts have a young nucleus in wingers Jonathan Drouin, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat; center men Vladislav Namestikov, Tyler Johnson, and Steven Stamkos; a number one defenseman in Victor Hedman; and talented goalies in Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasleivsky. The Islanders' young group consists of gritty guys in the likes of Andres Lee, Brock Nelson, and Casey Cizkas; junior forwards including Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang, and Anthony Beauvillier; and a number one center in John Tavares; young defensemen in Ryan Pullock, Adam Pelech, Matt Finn, Nick Leddy, and Travis Hamonic; however, one of their best guys is veteran Johnny Boychuk. Their goaltending is a veteran duo of Jaroslav Halak (who hasn't played this postseason due to an injury) and Thomas Greiss.

Prediction: Lightning in 7.

The best team in the West takes on a dominant team in their own right. The Dallas Stars finally return to the playoffs, and are an offensive machine. On offense, they have a one-two punch in Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. They have talented wingers in Jamie Benn, Patrick Sharp, and Valeri Nichkusin. Their weak defense group has playoff experience in Johnny Oduya and Kris Russell, and a young offensive defenseman in John Klingberg. Their mediocre goaltenders are Finnish teammates Kari Lehtenon and Antti Niemi. The Blues faced adversity and eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games. They have all the skill and talent in the world in year's past to go far, but Brian Elliot was sparingly used until this series. The Blues are ready to win it all, but can they win it all? They have young forwards in Vlaidimir Tarasneko, Jaden Schwartz, and Robby Fabri; talented defensemen in Alex Piteranglo, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jay Bouwmesster; and solid goalies in Elliot and Jake Allen.

Prediction: Blues in 7. Dallas' offense will keep them in the series, but defense wins hockey games, and the Stars do not have enough of it.

The San Jose Sharks play the winner of Anaheim/Nashville. The Sharks will be able to push both teams around with their nuclei. They have a veteran group including Joe Thorton, Patrick Marleau, Joel Ward, and Paul Martin; a prime group in Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and Marc-Edourard Vlasic; and a younger group in Logan Couture, Brendan Dillion, and Tomas Hertl. They also have a decent yet inexperienced goalie group in Martin Jones and James Reimer.

Prediction:

If San Jose takes on Anaheim, Ducks in 7.

If San Jose takes takes on Nashville, Sharks in 7.

What are your predictions?

More to come…
Filed Under:   WSH   PIT   NYI   TBL   DAL   STL   SJ   ANA   NSH   NHL   Playoffs   Postseason  
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Blog Archive

01 #038; No. 12
01 #038; No. 12
02 CBJ- Opting to Forget October
02 CBJ- Opting to Forget October
02 CBJ: Thoughts on Change
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 Game No. 13- Columbus Blue Jackets @ San Jose Sharks
05 Post-Game Recap No. 13- Big Win
05 Game No. 14- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Los Angeles Kings
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
07 CBJ Post-Game Recap- Game No. 14 (@LA) and Game No. 15: @ANA
07 CBJ Post-Game Recap- Game No. 14 (@LA) and Game No. 15: @ANA
07 CBJ: Catching Up With News
07 CBJ: Catching Up With News
11 Game No. 16- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Vancouver Canucks
12 CBJ Post Game Recap No. 16- Another Home Loss
13 CBJ- Catchup on the News
14 CBJ Game No. 18- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Arizona Coyotes
15 #038; No. 18
17 CBJ Game No. 19- Columbus Blue Jackets v. St. Louis BlueS
18 CBJ Post-Game No. 19- The Young Streak Continues
18 CBJ Post-Game No. 19- The Young Streak Continues
18 CBJ- Catch Up du jour
19 CBJ- Catchup No. 2
19 CBJ Game No. 20- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators
19 CBJ Game No. 20- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ- New All Star Format and Thoughts
22 No. 21
22 CBJ- Bye Week and the Boom or Bust of It
22 CBJ- Injury Update
22 CBJ- Bye Week and the Boom or Bust of It
22 CBJ Game No. 22- Columbus Blue Jackets v. San Jose Sharks
22 CBJ Post-Game- No. 22
24 CBJ- Quarter Season Thoughts
25 CBJ Game No. 23- Columbus Blue Jackets v. New Jersey Devils
28 Rumor Blog
28 Rumor Blog
29 CBJ- Cross-Check Costs Columbus
30 #038; 25
30 #038; 25
30 CBJ- Johansen to Brooklyn??
04 CBJ-15 Things to Remember From 2015
05 CBJ- Rumor Chart UPDATED
05 CBJ Game No. 41- Minnesota Wild v. Columbus Blue Jackets
05 CBJ Post-Game No. 40- Capitalizing On Capitals
05 CBJ- Rumor Chart UPDATED
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 41- Wild End, Add to the Losses
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
07 CBJ- New Year, New Blockbuster
07 CBJ- Kerby Rychel for Jonathan Drouin?
07 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated Following Day of Trades)
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 42/43- Home and Home Battle
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 42/43- Home and Home Battle
12 CBJ- Connuaton On Waivers
14 CBJ- Catchup (1/14/16)
15 CBJ-If the Season Ended Today
16 CBJ Game No. 46- Colorado Avalanche v. Columbus Blue Jackets
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 46- Late Push Helps
17 CBJ- Rumor Chart (1-17-16)
17 CBJ-Trade Rumors (1/17/16)
19 CBJ Game No. 47- Washington Capitals v Columbus Blue Jackets
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 47- Doubled Down
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 47- Doubled Down
21 CBJ Game No. 48- Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets
21 CBJ- Future Top Defensive Pairs
21 CBJ- Other Young Defensemen
21 CBJ- Rumor Chart (1/21/16)
22 CBJ Post-Game No. 48- Bob Down, Team Out
23 CBJ Game No. 49- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
25 CBJ Post-Game No. 49- B's Best Blue Jackets
25 CBJ Game No. 50- Montreal Canadiens v. Columbus Blue Jackets
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 50- Hat Trick Helps Home Team
26 CBJ Game No. 51: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens
26 CBJ Game No. 51: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 51- Looking Up
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 51- Looking Up
30 CBJ- All Star Game Predictions
30 CBJ- Center of Attention
30 CBJ- All Star Game Predictions
31 CBJ- Second Half Predictions
01 CBJ- General Thoughts on All Star Game and My Predictions
02 CBJ- Rumor Chart (2/2/16)
02 CBJ- Thoughts on Dennis Wideman
02 CBJ Game No. 52- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Edmonton Oilers
03 CBJ Post-Game No. 52- Last Place
03 CBJ- Solution Out There?
04 CBJ Game No. 53- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vancouver Canucks
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 54- Close Call In Calgary
07 CBJ- Playing With Parody
09 CBJ Game No. 55- New York Islanders v. Columbus Blue Jackets
09 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated: 2/9/16
09 CBJ- Looking Into Loui
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 55- Collapse in Columbus
11 CBJ Game No. 56- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Anaheim Ducks
12 CBJ- Murray Staying
12 CBJ Post-Game No. 56- Out of Basement
12 CBJ- Tyutin To Detroit??
13 CBJ- Jack Johnson Rumors
13 CBJ- Seth Jones and Contract
13 CBJ Game No. 57- Ottawa Senators v. Columbus Blue Jackets
14 CBJ- Defensive Help Out There
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 57- Another Win
15 CBJ- Who Could Go?
16 CBJ Game No. 58- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 58- More Points, Even In Losses
18 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated: 2/18/2016)
18 CBJ- Last Season Repeats Itself
19 CBJ Game No. 49- Buffalo Sabers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 59- Blanked by Buffalo
20 NHL Trade Deadline Preview- Metropolitan Division
21 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 2- Atlantic Division
21 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 3- Central Division
22 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 4: Pacific Division
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
23 CBJ Post-Game No. 60- Win In Beantown
23 CBJ-Making A Case For An Outdoor Game In Central Ohio
23 CBJ Game No. 61- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
25 CBJ Post-Game No. 61- Comeback Costs Columbus Extra Point
26 CBJ Post Game No. 61- Hatty Helps; Hurts Devils' Chances
26 CBJ- Falk On Waivers, And Somehow Clears
26 CBJ Post Game No. 61- Hatty Helps; Hurts Devils' Chances
26 CBJ- Falk On Waivers, And Somehow Clears
26 CBJ- Bankruptcy Battle Worsens
26 CBJ- Goalie Going Soon?? Look at the Depth
27 CBJ Game No. 63- Florida Panthers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
27 CBJ Game No. 63- Florida Panthers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
27 Columbus Trades Scott Hartnell to Nashville for Kevin Fiala
28 CBJ Post-Game No. 63- Hot Streak Continues via Comeback
28 CBJ- The Monkey Is Off The Captain's Back
28 CBJ- Rumor Chart
29 CBJ Game No. 64- Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers
29 My Reactions to Trades- Deadline and Before (Longest Blog Pd
29 CBJ- Rumor Chart(2/29/16) Final Time Before the Draft.Enjoy!
29 CBJ- Quiet Deadline, But Bridge Boooone
01 CBJ Post Game No. 64- So Close, Yet So Far
02 CBJ- On Fire In February
03 CBJ- Three Guys on Team North America
03 CBJ- 75% Through
04 CBJ Game No. 65- Edmonton Oilers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
05 CBJ Post-Game No. 65- Seesaw Battle for Young Guns of NHL
05 CBJ Game No. 66- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Philadelphia Flyers
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 66- Tired and Ticked
07 CBJ- What Would Jones' Contract Look Like?
08 CBJ Game No. 67- Detroit Red Wings v. Columbus Blue Jackets
09 CBJ Post-Game No. 67- What An Upset + Bobrovsky is Returning
10 CBJ- Healthier Equals Better (Injuries)
11 CBJ Game No. 68- Columbus Blue Jackets v Pittsburgh Penguins
13 CBJ Game No. 69- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
13 CBJ Post-Game No. 68- Mr. Popper's Penguins Even Series
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 69- Blanked By Bolts; Tampa Sweeps Cbus
14 CBJ- Punch May Penalize Prout (But How Many Games??)
17 CBJ Game No. 70- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Detroit Red Wings
19 CBJ Post-Game No. 70- Wings Win Season Series
19 CBJ Game No. 71- Columbus Blue Jackets v. New Jersey Devils
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 71- Bjork Brings Back Win
20 CBJ Game No. 72- Columbus Blue Jackets @ New Jersey Devils
21 CBJ Post-Game No. 72- Devil Debuts Deflate Jackets
23 CBJ- Boll/Bellemare Incident Being Reviewed By League
23 CBJ Post-Game No. 73-Flying High Over Flyers via Comeback
26 #038; Prospects
26 Looking at the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships + Predictions
26 CBJ- Which Guy is Right for Columbus in 2016 NHL Draft
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 74- Canes Collect Points @ Cbus; Boll Gone
26 CBJ Game No. 75- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 75- Preyed On By Predators
28 CBJ Game No. 76- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals
30 CBJ- Russians Relocating? What Does This Mean For CBJ + NHL
30 CBJ Post-Game No. 76- Washington Wins Winningest Trophy
03 CBJ P5: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins
03 CBJ P5: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ- Cuts Continue (10-4-16)
05 CBJ Postgame No. 6: Overtime Continues Successful Preseason
05 CBJ- Cuts Continue (10/5/16)
05 CBJ Postgame No. 6: Overtime Continues Successful Preseason
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
08 CBJ P7: Slow Start Hurts Columbus in Preseason
08 CBJ P8: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins
12 NHL: Week of Retirement
12 CBJ: Contrast Between Two New Captains
12 NHL: What is Edmonton Doing?
12 CBJ: Savard Speculation
12 CBJ: Opening Night Rosters Set
12 CBJ: Opening Night Rosters Set
13 CBJ Game No. 1: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
13 NHL: Predicting Standings- Who Makes and Misses Playoffs
13 NHL: Predicting Standings- Who Makes and Misses Playoffs
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 1: Underrated Rivalry; Comeback Loss
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 1: Underrated Rivalry; Comeback Loss
15 CBJ Game No. 2: Columbus Blue Jackets v. San Jose Sharks
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 2- West is Best
18 CBJ- Soupy Situation
19 CBJ- Notes from Around the League and the World
20 CBJ- Is Kekalainen on the Hot Seat?
21 CBJ Game No. 3- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks
25 CBJ- Weekend of Wins; California Trip for Game Number Five
25 CBJ- Weekend of Wins; California Trip for Game Number Five
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 5: Kings Get Extra Point
27 CBJ Game No. 6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ San Jose Sharks
29 CBJ Game No. 7: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 6- Power Outage; Sharks bite Blue Jackets
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 7- Strong Start Leads to Shutout; CBJ Win
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 7- Strong Start Leads to Shutout; CBJ Win
01 CBJ Game No. 8- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Dallas Stars
02 CBJ Post-Game No. 8- Up and Down, Jackets Get Extra Point
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
04 CBJ Game No. 9- Columbus Blue Jackets v Montreal Canadiens
05 CBJ Post-Game No 9- Double Digit Domination; 10-0 Win v Habs
05 CBJ Game No 10- Columbus Blue Jackets @ St. Louis Blues
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 10- Blue Jackets Get the Blues; OT Loss
07 CBJ- Seth Jones on IR with a Fractured Right Foot
07 CBJ- Seth Jones on IR with a Fractured Right Foot
08 CBJ- Can the Offense Keep Up?
09 CBJ Game No. 11- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Anaheim Ducks
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 11- Winning At Home
10 CBJ Game No. 12- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
12 CBJ Post-Game No. 12- Fast and Furious Five: Unanswered Goal
14 CBJ Post Game Lucky No. 13- Home Domination Double Up
15 CBJ Game N. 14- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Washington Capitals
16 CBJ Post-Game No. 14- Comeback Columbus Costs Capitals Point
17 CBJ- Werenski for Calder
18 CBJ Game No. 15: Columbus Blue Jackets v. New York Rangers
19 CBJ Post-Game No. 15: Columbus Continues Streak
20 CBJ Game No. 16- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals
21 CBJ Post-Game No. 16- Final Minute Effort
21 CBJ Game No. 17- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Colorado Avalanche
21 CBJ Game No. 17- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Colorado Avalanche
22 CBJ Post-Game No. 17- One Point in Overtime
23 CBJ Game No. 18- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Calgary Flames
28 CBJ Update: The Thanksgiving Weekend
29 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
29 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
30 CBJ Post-Game No. 21- Hartnell and Sons