Okay, here’s the summary: 2-for-8 in the first round, 0-for-4 in the second round, and now 1-for-2 in the third round. It’s a good thing I’m not in a hockey pool for these playoffs.
Stanley Cup Finals
New Jersey Devils (6th in the East) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8th in the West) – Los Angeles in 5
Martin Brodeur may have found the fountain of youth (witness the last two periods in game 6 versus the Rangers) but I can’t see the Devils cracking the Los Angeles defense. LA simply has not been outplayed in its games. They have had a shorter run of games, they have a suffocating forecheck and a great commitment to defense, and their goalie has been sensational in those shifts where the Kings have been in trouble. The Devils may be the more offense-minded team, but I just don’t see how they can knock off the Kings.