Playoff Predictions and the Canning of A Quinn

Though I'll be spending the spring sitting in a basement full of paraphanelia that no longer has any relevance (because the Leafs didn't make the playoffs), I've decided to try my hand at prophecy and make a few playoff predictions. Here goes:

Eastern Conference (First Round)
(8) Tampa Bay vs (1) Ottawa --- (1) Ottawa (4-0)
(7) Montreal vs (2) Carolina --- (2) Carolina (4-1)
(6) NY Rangers vs (3) New Jersey --- (6) NY Rangers (4-3)
(5) Philadelphia vs (4) Buffalo --- (5) Buffalo (4-3)

Western Conference (First Round)
(8) Edmonton vs (1) Detroit --- (1) Detroit (4-0)
(7) Colorado vs (2) Dallas --- (2) Dallas (4-2)
(6) Anaheim vs (3) Calgary --- (3) Calgary (4-1)
(5) San Jose vs (4) Nashville --- (5) San Jose (4-1)

Eastern Conference (Second Round)
(6) NY Rangers vs (1) Ottawa --- (1) Ottawa (4-2)
(5) Buffalo vs (2) Carolina --- (5) Buffalo (4-3)

Western Conference (Second Round)
(5) San Jose vs (1) Detroit --- (1) Detroit (4-3)
(3) Calgary vs (2) Dallas --- (3) Calgary (4-3)

Eastern Conference (Third Round)
(5) Buffalo vs (1) Ottawa --- (1) Ottawa (4-1)

Western Conference (Third Round)
(3) Calgary vs (1) Detroit --- (3) Calgary (4-3)

Stanley Cup Final
(3) Calgary vs (1) Ottawa --- (3) Calgary (4-2)

Yes, that's right, Calgary will gain their just rewards and carry the Cup down the Red Mile in the Stampede City. Their strength and physical play will be too much for an Ottawa team that will finally make it to the dance, but much like the class geek, they will be left sitting in a corner watching everyone else take part while they adjust their collective pocket-protector and hum the tune to "If My Nose Was Runnin' Money, Honey, I'd Blow It All on You!"

In other news, Pat Quinn was quickly canned by the Leafs after a disappointing season. The action is not really a surprise; more surprising is that the action was taken this quickly after the season ended. For a while, I thought the Mighty Quinn may have bought himself at least a shot at next season with the stellar finish he and the boys turned in at the end of this year. But Toronto's GM, JFJ (John Ferguson, Jr) showed he has some testicular fortitude and made a move that may have been long overdue. With the hiring of the right guy - likely Paul Maurice, if early rumours hold any water - the Bud's young guns may get the chance they have rightfully earned. Now we wait, with baited breath, to see if TSN has the same kind of backbone to give Glenn Healy his walking papers and put viewers out of their misery.

I'll be back through the playoffs to check up on the predictions. In the meantime, GO WARRIORS!