If the 2012 National Hockey League Playoffs were to start tomorrow -NHL Special Part 3
In the previous parts, we discussed what the situation might look like if the playoffs were to start tomorrow looking at the present condition the National Hockey League (NHL) teams, the condition was certainly very surprising to see.
Now that the Eastern Conference quarterfinals have concluded with the Boston Bruins moving on after defeating the Ottawa Senators while the New York Rangers took over the New Jersey Devils. Florida Panthers fought hard against Toronto but the Maple Leafs
managed to edge them in game-seven and a exciting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh face-off resulted in the Flyers managing to advance while the Penguins failed to win.
Now heading towards the Western Conference, another thrilling set of series will kick off between a number of teams that have made their mark as some of the big wigs this time around that were easily ousted last season.
Chicago Blackhawks (1st Place) vs. Nashville Predators (8th Place)
One of the most disappointing performances last season were from the Chicago Blackhawks which were coming out of a Stanley Cup winning season and miserably failed to get past the first round, losing it to the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.
Now the Blackhawks look to be in a more commanding position at the top spot in the Western Conference with 48 points and could be leading till the end if they keep up what they are doing.
Last season, Nashville Predators finally broke the spell of not being able to get past the first round of the postseason for the first time in their history as a franchise in the NHL, this time, the team will be looking to go much further but against a team
like Chicago, raising expectations beyond reality will quite possibly deny them any chance at success.
The Predators are in eighth place with 40 points.
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks take series in five games.
Minnesota Wild (2nd Place) vs. Dallas Stars (7th Place)
Minnesota is one of those teams like Florida Panthers in the East that has drastically changed themselves around in regards to performance. They are currently in the second number spot with 45 points and were leading at number one for most part of the season
earlier when it began.
Dallas Stars have also managed to put themselves in a better position this season and if the playoffs were to begin tomorrow, they would be ending a two season long postseason drought, definitely a plus point for them. Even if they got eliminated in the
first round, the Stars would have many things to boast about.
Something which the Dallas Stars would be able to use is their team unity and communication on the ice. Dallas plays a well rounded and quick paced game, allowing them to keep all the players up-to-date on the situation and what is needed to win.
If the postseason really did start from tomorrow, it would be hard to tell who would prevail in the Western Conference quarterfinals since both teams have not met as of yet in the regular season. December was a good month for the Stars as they were able
to beat teams like the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, but looking at it that they, they also fell to a number of clubs like the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks.
Prediction: Minnesota Wild wins a game-seven against Dallas Stars
To be continued in Part 4...
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