DOWN THE STRETCH

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs seem to be right around the corner, and that means a couple significant things if you are as big of a playoff fanatic as the PrairiePuck. The first is of course the matchups for the opening round. The way the standings are shaping up right now, chances are we will not see any surprises in the top 3 Division Leader seeds in each conference, but in comparision to last season, seeds 4-8 may surprise you. Our predictions for round one are, starting in the Eastern Conference:

BOSTON BRUINS (1) vs BUFFALO SABRES (8)

The logic behind this one is simple. The Bruins are obviously a sizeable force this season in the Eastern Conference, so they will lock up the #1 seed hands down. The #8 seed, however will go to the Buffalo Sabres, who will just barely edge out the Carolina Hurricanes, who will miss the playoffs for the 3rd straight year (and 2nd straight year by only a hair) The difference this year, is that Washington will win the division with a generous lead, making another PP prediction from the beginning of the year true...that The Capitals will be the only SoutEast team to make the playoffs for the 2nd straight year. The Florida Panthers should be commended for their efforts this season, but in the end, Buffalo's speedy and skilled forwards like Derek Roy, Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford, and Thomas Vanek will be too much to handle. This will be one of the most entertaining, and quickest opening series to watch.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (2) vs MONTREAL CANADIENS (7)

-Marty Brodeur is the god damn king, and we all know it. Currently, he is 2 wins away from the all-time wins record, and 4 shutouts away from the all-time shutout record, so the guy knows his shit. Best of all about this team, is that they played some of their best hockey this season without Marty in the lineup. They have speed, they have skill, and most importantly they have depth, particularly in net with Scott Clemmensen. The Canadiens will continue their slide for the next month, finishing just a couple points ahead of Buffalo for the #7 seed. Sadly, with all of the negative press, distractions, and the recent firing of Guy Carbonneau, we don't see the Habs making it passed the 1st round, laying any hopes of a fairy tale season to rest. The Habs organization should take a step back and look at the last coach they fired when the team "struggled"...I think Mr. Julien is doing quite well for himself now. The Habs are becoming the new Leafs.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS (3) vs PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (6)

This one may just be the most watched series of the entire first round. Showcasing some of the best young talent in the league with Mike Green, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, and of course the heated rivalry between Sid the Kid and Ovie, This matchup seems to be more and more inevitable every day.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (4) vs NEW YORK RANGERS (5)

Heated Atlantic Division rivals will be the showcase for the final matchup in the opening round, between the 4th seed Flyers and the 5th seed Blueshirts. If the Flyers had to be summed up in one word, they are simply "tough" in all aspects of the game. The Rangers however, are a different story, and have lost the touch they broke out of the season with, and truth be told, we here believe that the Rangers have the ability to go far into the playoffs. The catalyst that will propel this Rangers team is none other than Sean Avery.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

DETROIT RED WINGS (1) vs EDMONTON OILERS (8)

Yes sir, the first round to come out of the Western Conference will be a familiar one to many Oilers and Red Wings fans from back in 2006. The Red Wings will slightly (only slightly) edge out the Sharks for the #1 seed this year, drawing the Edmonton Oilers, a team which really can never seem to lift themselves from hovering around that 8th seed. Although the result of the series in 2006 was a surprise, chances are we won't be seeing an upset in this first round. Not that the PrairiePuck is abandoning its predicition that Saskatchewan-born Patrick Marleau will hoist the Stanley Cup this season, but the Red Wings will likely win round one vs the Oil.

SAN JOSE SHARKS (2) vs DALLAS STARS (7)

You guessed it. Members of both the Sharks and the Stars from last season won't soon forget their unbelievable Western Semi-final series, highlighted by an amazing quadruple OT winner by SK-born hero Brendan Morrow. This season, we will be looking at the same match-up a little earlier, showcasing the same stellar "big game" goaltending in Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov. Expect some multiple OTs in this series as well.

CALGARY FLAMES (3) vs VANCOUVER CANUCKS (6)

Adding to an already impressive number of unbelievable matchups, this barn-burner between Northwest Division foes the Flames and the Canucks will be nothing short of spectacular. Expect the series to go to no less than 6 games

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (4) vs COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (5)

This series will happen, and it will be one of the quickest series you've ever seen. Not in the length of games, but the speed on the ice. This will showcase some of the best young talent in scoring, defense, and goaltending, particularly in rookie sensation Columbus netminder Steve Mason. This division-rival series, which makes 3 Western Division-rival opening matchups will be a classic.

So there you have it, the predicitons for the opening rounds made by the PrairiePuck.

The second most important thing to keep in mind during the playoff season are Playoff Beards. Although different to many sports, the playoff beard is not just a tradition for the players, it is for the fans as well. Here are the rules that you must follow in growing and maintaining your playoff beards.

1. The very second that your favourite team locks up a birth into the playoffs, this is the same point that you will begin to grow your playoff beard. Many people believe that it is when the playoffs physically begin, but this is bullshit. So by my calculations, Eric has about 2-3 games to go before the Wings can lock up a spot, and the Flames have about 6-7 games. It will be a long and gross playoff season.

2. The second rule about playoff beards is that you must shave immediately after your team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

3. The third and final rule, is that there is only one condition that allows your to alter your playoff bear situation. If your team is struggling in the playoffs, a quick trim, or a few changes here or there to the beard are acceptable to relieve your team from their funk, otherwise, the beard must be left untouched. Cleaned properly, but untouched by any form of shaving utensil.

Happy playoffs,

PP