Captain Duck turns it around

Matt's take on the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs so far. Each series is analyzed and updated.

Here are some quick takes on the current NHL playoffs. The action has been so good that the wife has had to take on a second husband and get in touch with old friends. I feel like I am hibernating, but taking in all of this playoff play has been worth it. This is arguably the best postseason in years. Every series has been compelling - yes, even Pittsburgh-Ottawa.

Anaheim-Dallas: Wow, were the Ducks awful on the PK in California, or what? Just brutal. But the main reason they got blown out in both games was that their one ace in the hole, their stellar defence, was terrible. Scott Niedemeyer and Chris Pronger were two of the worst players on the ice for the Ducks. And Anaheim does not need a 250-pound passer in Todd Bertuzzi. Heading into Game 3 he had to start being more physical and stop taking stupid penalties. Well, mission accomplished. The Ducks dominated Game 3 and finally got some positive contributions from Pronger. The captain was the best player on the ice in Game 3 and you just know he is getting warmed up. I picked the Ducks in this series and will stick by it.

Detroit-Nashville: You know, I liked the Preds to take this series to the distance, but they have to find a way to win a road game, something they have never done in franchise history. The Red Wings don't impress me to the point where I thought either one of their two wins in this series was doubtless. Watch the Predators get more and more confident. Jason Arnott is teaching the Preds how to play in the postseason and I think his lessons will pay off.

Minnesota-Colorado: Peter Forsberg is not dominating physically like he used to, but he has really done it passing-wise. The playmaker is giving the Avalanche enough offence to help break the defensive style of the Wild, but Minny is well coached and their never-say-die attitude has helped them win two so far. With this thing all tied up, we'll see if Theo can outperform Backstrom back in Wild land. I still say the Avs have more scoring and will prevail.

San Jose- Calgary: I picked the Flames to win it and I am looking like a genius right now. Joe Thornton has failed to match Jerome Iginla, pure and simple. The wildcard is Cheechoo. If he scores, the Flames can't compete with their lack of scoring. But right now he isn't and that means advantage Flames. Nabokov has probably been the best goaltender in these playoffs, but I just don't buy the Sharks as a top playoff team. They are built for the regular season and bare no resemblance to a gritty team like Calgary. The Flames' difference maker right now? Owen Nolan. Talk about turning back the clock. The man is playing possessed. It's like Calgary has two captains right now. Flames will win this one, no doubt in my mind.

Montreal-Boston: Don't you have the feeling that this series could be 3-1 for either team, or at the very least 2-2? I do. Carey Price and the lack of scoring punch for the Bruins are the two reasons it is 3-1 Montreal. Alex Kovalev has looked like the 2006-2007 version the last few games and his shifts are too long right now. But thank goodness they put O-Byrne in already. About time! He was tremendous in Game 4 and I believe he will be a difference maker in these playoffs. He also takes a lot of pressure off of Komisarek. Plekanec was marginally better in Game 4 but he needs to take it up another notch. Key stat- Higgins was great on faceoffs in Game 4, who knew? Montreal takes this one in Game 5.

Pittsburgh-Ottawa: Malkin and Crosby together is like having Gretsky and Mario on the same team. Too bad their defence is not very good and they are playing a team in Ottawa that would lose to an AHL team right now. Spezza is looking REALLY soft right now and Heatley has disappeared. Wow, incredible how they have faltered. This ship has sailed and the brooms are being brought out. Pitt advances.

Washington-Philadelphia: It's been the Mike Richards show. He has been unbelievable and a Conn Smythe candidate if this team goes far. Meanwhile, Ovechkin can't do it alone. And his team can't let Huet face penalty shots or breakaways. Richards made Cristobal look terrible on the penalty shot in Game 3. It's hard to know what to expect from the Caps, but I think Bruce Boudreau is a better hockey mind than his counterpart so expect the Capitals to come back and tie it up. I picked Washington, but right it's too close to call. Philly plays better defence and that is why they are leading the series.

New Jersey-New York: It's hard to predict what the Devils will do. No one knows what they are capable of. Few people thought they would be as good as they were this season. It's all on Brodeur. As good as the Rangers play, it dosesn't matter. If Marty stands on his head then anything is possible. But can he do this three more times in this series? I don't think so. Cue Jagr to take the series over. New York will be tough in the next round. I stand by my pick of them to take out the Devils. Habs fans better root for Philly to beat the Caps so that the Canadiens play them instead of the Rangers.

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