Keith Russell's Journal: Hockey Picks Round 1 Review

Hoo, boy. This is why I love the playoffs.

• DAL v EDM: Correct. Radek Dvorak really stepped up his game. He almost made the trade with Anson Carter look even. But once he got hurt, the Oilers didn't have a chance. Tommy Salo just isn't a big-game goaltender.
• COL v MIN: Correct. If you'll allow me a moment to gloat... (Don't worry. My comeuppance is two bullet points away.) The Avs have passed their peak. I don't think they've made many good personnel moves lately. LaCroix doesn't seem to realize that once Sakic, Forsberg, and Roy move on, Milan Hejduk will have to carry that team on his shoulders. And how about the Wild? A bunch of bright young kids who believe in their coach's system. And Fernandez' performance in game 7 will be a great boost for the next round. Clutch, with a side of guts.
• STL v VAN: Correct. Although they did it the hard way. Neither Osgood nor Cloutier was stellar, but Cloutier was less mediocre.
• DET v ANA: Wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong. Bracket-buster extraordinare. And proof that the best team in the playoffs is the one with the hottest goaltender. I think the duck on the crest of Giguere's jersey had more saves than Cujo.

• OTT v NYI: Correct. Did any Islanders bother showing up after game 1? Disappointing series. Garth Snow had to be a hero just to keep the games close.
• NJD v BOS: Correct. Forget about game 4. Brodeur obviously did. The only thing standing between Brodeur and the Conn Smythe Trophy is Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
• WAS v TBL: Correct. Jagr had one good game, Bondra two. Kolzig did the best he could, but Tampa's All Their Eggs In One Basket line single-handedly turned the series around.
• PHI v TOR: Wrong. Oh, how I wish it weren't so. But the Leafs were spent by that double-overtime victory in game 6. They had nothing left to give last night.

Coming soon, picks for the real 2nd round. (Since my West bracket is a bloody mess.)

Hockey rocks!

[jasonrocks]

IMO, hockey is the BEST sport on TV. I have loved watching hockey playoffs. Since I live in Utah, they barely ever put it on non-cable TV, but I moved out and now have cable. I am Canadian. I want a Canadian team to take back the cup. Two canadian teams are left. There is hope. Even though Vancouver was hammered the first game, I believe they have a great chance to go all the way.