jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (04/24/84)
Before I get to my predictions, I'd like to make a comment on the games
I've seen recently. After watching the Islanders/Rangers last two games
and the Montreal/Quebec series, that seventh game of the Calgary/Edmonton
series looked like minor league hockey. What a disappointment for a
deciding game. I'm glad Montreal has been winning, otherwise I and
all of Canada would have had to watch that Edmonton series and the
next one, which will probably be even worse. The Canadiens have made
this year's playoffs great entertainment, especially when compared
with last year's watching the Oilers blow everybody out and then
get blown out themselves by the Islanders. The Oilers may be great
skaters and scorers, but games that are over by the halfway mark don't
thrill me. Give me a good old knock down drag out defensive battle where
one goal makes a big difference any day. I guess I shouldn't make such
a harsh conclusion based on only one game. The series must have been better
than game 7 or there wouldn't have been a game 7. One conclusion I can
make for sure is that I wish the NHL wouldn't have all series playing at
the same time, so that we can watch more than one series the way we can
with baseball and football. Anyway, on to the predictions:
CAMPBELL CONFERENCE: Even though they've been winning, Minnesota has been
a big disappointment. Even without their top defenseman (Craig Hartsburg),
they have enough talent to blow away both Chicago and St.Louis, but were taken
to the limit by both as their big scorers failed to produce. Obviously they
lack leadership, determination, and desire to win. For this reason, trading
Bobby Smith was probably a big mistake, even though they got two very good
players from Montreal for him. The Oilers were taken to the limit by an
inferior Calgary team. I'm sure they've learned a lesson from that and they
won't let the same thing happen against Minnesota. Even if Minnesota's big
guns finally wake up, it won't make much difference because Edmonton has
bigger guns. Oilers in 4.
WALES CONFERENCE: Montreal has been responsible for two of my three wrong
picks for series winners (the other was Detroit), so I'm having a tough
time picking this one. The Canadiens were impressive against Quebec and
they even showed a little bench strength after a lot of their regulars
were kicked out in game 6. They've made a believer out of me except for
one thing: They're playing the Islanders. The Islanders looked beatable
against the Rangers, but they've traditionally had trouble getting up for
the early rounds. They disposed of the Capitals pretty quickly, so I think
they're coming around to championship form. I think they were outshot in a
lot of the Washington games, but consistently winning games when you're
outplayed seems to be some inexplicable ability that only true champions have.
(Note: Pat Flatley looks like a great money player, as if the Islanders need
another one.) They'll have to work for it though. Montreal has home ice
advantage and the Forum crowd is hungry for another Cup. (I'm not sure, but
I think you have to go back to the 1940's to find a time when it's been
away from Montreal for five years.) I'll take the Islanders in 6.
Jeff Richardson
DCIEM, Toronto