Ok so I slacked off pretty well and never did get my pick written up in article form but they did go up on twitter before game one. Here we go:
3rd Round Results
Otto
1-1 (9-5)
Misses: Rangers,
Dan
1-1 (7-7)
Misses: Rangers
Josh
2-0 (6-8)
Misses: None
Stanley Cup Finals Picks/Recap:
Going into the series I believed that if the Kings were going to roll, they were going to do so with defense and goaltending. Although they had gotten some offensive support early in the playoffs, it wasn't substantial and it had begun to fade as the playoffs progressed. We also knew that the Devils had the magic of Marty going for them as well as enough offensive weapons to allow them to stay in games, if they show up. Josh picked the Kings in 5, Dan and I took them in 6.
Well the Kings got the goaltending that they have grown to be so accustomed to, and the offense dug down and found a way to start scoring some goals. The Kings took games 1 through 3 in a row, looking confident while doing so. Games one and two went to overtime in NJ then game three in LA the Kings rolled, 4-0. Game 4 seemed to offer a bit of a letdown for the Kings, NJ took advantage and got a win to take the series back to NJ. After another win at home, the intrigue was beginning to grow, could the Devils sweep through the back half of the series as quickly as the Kings did the front half? Well a five minute span in the first period took away any of that notion as the Kings went up 3-0. They didn't let off the gas, adding another in the second period, as well as an empty netter followed by a strange looking one with only seconds remaining. The Kings only surrendered 1 goal against which came late in the third while they were up 4 to 1.
The Cup came to LA, 45 years after the teams inaugural season, they were Stanley Cup Champions. Congratulations to the LA Kings on an incredible run both through the end of the regular season and the playoffs.
4th Round Results & Final Standings
Otto
1-0 (10-5)
Picked the games correct
Dan
1-0 (8-7)
Picked the games correct
Josh
1-0 (7-8)
Missed the games by 1
Other Notes - Hockey season is officially over for about a period of 4 months. Although I am not the biggest NHL fan the idea of this isn't fun. I love being able to flip on the TV and catch a few minutes of whatever game might be on. I really with the IIHF tournament was after the NHL playoffs, not only so all of the players could play if they wanted but so that it could get more exposure.
I don't want to hear anything about the "controversial" hit that "cost the Devils the game." The theory is that if the boarding call was made earlier in the play the whistle would have blown and the hit by Bernier never would have happened. The fact is hockey is what it is. The officials missed a call on the previous hit, but its part of the game. Bernier went full speed from the blue line and crushed Scudieri from behind. While I may hate it when a defense man puts his back to the player coming and intentionally turns his face to the boards, it doesn't change the fact that you can't hit him, especially going full speed. The no call dd not cause the penalty.
Another complaint was the "pick" the linesman "set" on the first Kings goal. They officials are part of the game, they get in the way more often then they do not, especially with 4 of them on the ice. Fortunately for most they are not as noticeable as the poor guy that not leveled and then stuck in the face by the Devils defense man. The pick itself did not score the goal for the Kings, in fact Marty made a nice save on the following shot. The Devils had several chances to force a turnover and get the puck out before the goal was scored. It is a rough thing to have happen but don't try to tell me it was all the officials fault.
One last point, the the announcers and media in general, when you interview a guy who just one the cup, is a hockey player in general, and who only wants to go celebrate with his teammates; don't expect him to be worried about what is inappropriate to say on TV at the time. He really doesn't want to be doing your interview as it is. I saw lots of feedback on the F bombs that were dropped and couldn't help but think that the people asking the questions set themselves up by not being more prepared.
