Round 2 Summary; Round 3 Predictions

OK, I absolutely honk at this. I went a mildly respectable 4-4 in the first round, but the second round was not nearly as friendly: 1-3. That's a grand total of 5-7. Mediocrity at it's finest.

Here's how it all turned out:

Eastern Conference (Second Round)
(1) Ottawa (4-3) --- (4) Buffalo (4-1)
(3) New Jersey (4-2) --- (2) Carolina (4-1)

Western Conference (Second Round)
(8) Edmonton (4-3) --- (8) Edmonton (4-2)
(7) Colorado (4-2) --- (6) Anaheim (4-0)

Who would've thought these teams would make this year's final four? Some are saying that's the parity of "The New NHL." Frankly, I'm not convinced of that yet. I'm not even close to being convinced, really. When you think about it, the four teams who have made it this far are here because they have simply outplayed their opponents.

Sure, you have teams like Edmonton who were able to pick up Chris Pronger because of "The New NHL," or Anaheim doing the same with Scott Neidermeyer. But the so-called "parity" - the new fancy-schmancy word that everyone seems to be throwing around to make us all sound smarter - won't prove itself until at least next year, probably the year after.

Let's wait to see if Carolina has another three-year gap before they even make the playoffs again. Let's wait to see who Anaheim's new goalie will be that can carry them deep in the quest for the Holy Grail. Let's wait to see if Edmonton, with all the hype and momentum they've gained this year, will pull a Calgary next year. (Let's wait and see how many people will pick them to win it all next year!) Let's wait and watch Lindy Ruff coach another 15 years in Buffalo before they make the playoffs again because nobody else wants that job.

In my estimation, "The New NHL" should be more about consistency than about parity. More about dynasties than about one-year wonder's. But hey, what do I know? I honk at this.

Here's my third round predictions:

Eastern Conference (Third Round)
(4) Buffalo vs (2) Carolina --- (2) Carolina (4-3) ... for the love of God, who somebody please beat Buffalo?!?

Western Conference (Third Round)
(8) Edmonton vs (6) Anaheim --- (8) Edmonton (4-1)

More to follow later. GO OIL!