FANTASY HOCKEY PICKS: PLAYOFF EDITION

If you can remember back in September, the PrairiePuck gave you all a hand in your Fantasy Hockey Drafts, and if you followed our advice, we may have single handedly allowed you to win your draft with our picks, particularly in the "Sleeper" category with guys like Parise, Camalerri, or Kessel. The Postseason is less than 1 month away (Set to begin on April 15), and with the Playoffs comes a brand new collection of players to pick for your playoff drafts.

So get together with your friends, co-workers, or people you just enjoy beating in any kind of competition, print off this advice, and enjoy the money coming your way in June when you have won your Playoff Pool, solely from our advice. Here we go....


GOALTENDERS

Martin Brodeur - Let's face it, Brodeur is the king. The mistake that most people make during playoff pools is that they pick their favourite players, on their favourite teams, or even players that have lead the league during the regular season. What you need to consider is which player is best to pick, that will be around to provide you with points for more than an early round exit. Brodeur is an excellent pick in this category, as not only is he an unbelievable keeper, he has tons of playoff experience, and the New Jersey Devils should be considered contenders this season.

Evgeni Nabokov - Nabokov tops our selection in the West, seeing that he plays on the consistent (although somewhat shaky lately) Sharks, who will be major contenders this season. Nabokov played his absolute best hockey last season during the playoffs, particularly against Division rival Dallas Stars, and he'll do the same this year.

WILD CARD PICKS - Martin Biron, Marc-Andre Fleury, Miikka Kiprusoff, Ty Conklin


DEFENSEMEN

Dan Boyle - The San Jose Sharks will undoubtedly contend for the Cup, so who better a selection than an offensive defenseman like Dan boyle of the Sharks.

Niklas Lidstrom - You may see a trend developing here. Who is going to meet in the Western Conference Final? Nik Lidstrom, or even his defensive counterpart Brian Rafalski are good picks in this situation, both with Playoff experience, championship rings, and oh right...they're #1 and #2 in defensemen scoring in the league.

Sergei Gonchar - It seems like the Penguins have just clicked ever since Gonchar got comfortably back in the lineup after missing a hefty portion of the season to injury. Crosby + Malkin + Guerin + Kunitz + Gonchar = SCARY GOD DAMN POWERPLAY. Any point that Crosby gets in the playoffs, expect Gonchar to be in the supporting cast.

Zdeno Chara - Chara, since joining Boston a couple years back, has been a key factor in restoring a winning tradition in the state of Massachusetts, and they COULD go far in the playoffs. We stress COULD because we believe that the Bruins' record should not fool you. The Bruins will not make it passed the 2nd round, and may not even make it passed the first round if they play a fired up Canadiens team, who you know are hoping for that matchup.

WILDCARDS - Mike Green, Kimmo Timonen, Brian Campbell, Dion Phaneuf

FORWARDS

Sidney Crosby - The heart and soul of the Penguins franchise will lead them into the playoffs, peaking at the right time, and hell, they could make noise in competing for a second straight Stanley cup this season.

Patrick Marleau - Hopefull, Marleau hasn't switched roles this season. He has constantly been criticized for not producing up to expectations during the season, but he has ALWAYS produced well in the playoffs. This season, we believe that this SK product will lead his team to a Stanley Cup Championship.

PICK ONE: Jarome Iginla - Olli Jokinen - Mike Cammalerri - Calgary may be a little shaky right now, but have made themselves serious contenders for a championship with the addition of Olli Jokinen, who by the way has been tearing it up since his arrival to Calgary from the trade dealine acquisition

Henrik Zetterberg - You won't find too many players that wear their hearts on their sleeves like this reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner from last playoffs. The best 2-way player in the playoffs this year by far.


TEAMS TO FOLLOW

The trick to these picks, like we mentioned, is to pick good players that will produce, but will produce in multiple rounds. Which teams will make it far?

SAN JOSE SHARKS
DETROIT RED WINGS
WILD CARDS - CALGARY FLAMES, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
WILD CARDS - PHILADELPHIA FLYERS, NEW YORK RANGERS, WASHINGTON
CAPITALS, BOSTON BRUINS

(Pretty safe to say that the East is in question)



PP