NHL Playoffs
The Phoenix Coyotes vs The Los Angeles Kings
What's happened: So far, the Kings and Jonathan Quick have dominated this series. They were able to stay undefeated in playoff road games and turned a lot of heads while doing so. LA was able to outscore the Desert Dogs 10-3 in the first two games and looked to be in cruise control. Then in a truly must win game, Phoenix's net minder, Mike Smith turned it around. The Coyotes played a hard game and the skipper Shane Doan was able to net the two deciding goals.
Where does it go from here? There is no way that the Coyotes are able to win the next three. I know this is hockey, but with Jonathan Quick, it will be too much. The Coyotes will be spurred along by this win and will be able to get another on their home ice. When the series switches back to LA, the Kings will really want to shut it down. Kopitar and Brown will continue to score and create opportunities and that will ultimately kick the Coyotes out in six.
The New York Rangers vs The New Jersey Devils
What's happened: Goaltending is the theme of almost every playoff run and when these two Atlantic Division rivals have clashed heads, the tending has reigned supreme. In the first three games Henrik Lundqvist has been solid. His .964 save percentage has really been what the Rangers have been riding. Through the Devils figured him out in Game 2, Lundqvist showed his great bounce back ability by keeping the net totally clean in Game 3. Marty Brodeur has been stellar as well, but the Rangers have been grinding it out and getting the results that they need.
Where does it go from here? I expect the Rangers to close this series out in six. They are a very defensive team. They aren't afraid to block shots and just grind out the game. It took them two and a half periods to score in game 3 and with determination like that they surely go on to the Finals. I don't expect it to be a cake walk though. They are taking on Brodeur so there will be some times where they will have difficulties, but overall they will continue to be the better team.
NBA Playoffs
The San Antonio Spurs vs The Los Angeles Clippers
The Spurs are the best team in the NBA, but no one talks about them and I assume they like it that way. They haven't lost a game in the playoffs yet and I don't think they lose tonight. Tim Duncan and Co. have turned back the clock. They have been playing great defense and have totally taken Lob City out of the equation. When the Clippers have yet to get within 10 of the Spurs, it's hard to say they will in game four. I have the Spurs in 4 in this one.
The Oklahoma City Thunder vs The Los Angeles Lakers
The emotions have been strong in this one. After the first two games everyone had the Lakers getting swept and who can blame them. The lacking Lakers couldn't seem to defend OKC at all. Kevin Durant was exceptional for every minute he played and was really the difference maker. With the series hanging in the balance, the Lakers needed a response in game 3. Bryant dropped 36 and LA squeaked into the next competition. Game four looked to be the Lakers game for the taking when they took a nine point lead into the fourth, but the Thunder were too much. With that win, Westbrook and the Thunder crushed the Lakers hopes and their chances of winning this series. The Thunder are going to win this series in five because the Lakers just can't guard them.
The Boston Celtics vs The Atlanta Hawks
The C's looked like they were in command of this series after a great game 3, but the Hawks had a different set of plans. The 76er's knotted the series at two a piece after a great showing in the fourth competition. This series has been back and forth so far and I think it will stay that way. The Celtics are the better team, but Atlanta continues to find ways to win through they're defense. Kevin Garnet needs to continue to score if the Celtics want to win. In both Boston losses, Garnett scored less than 20 points. When the C's don't have the presences down low, they aren't the same team. I expect Garnet to make the adjustments he needs to and the C's will go on to win the series in 7.
The media once again made a huge deal of the Heat's loss in game 3 and made it seem they were done. That is far from the case. In game four, the Heat were continually beat down in the first half. It looked like it was all going to fall apart, but in the third quarter James and Wade went off. The Miami stars combined for 70 points as they lead the Heat to a solid and much needed win. If the Heat are going to win this series, this is how they are going to have to do it. Without Bosh, James and Wade are doing to have to take this team on their backs and run with it. As for the Pacers, they need to continue to play a hardnosed game and attack the paint. The Heat don't have a feasible answer to Hibbert down low. Once they attack the hoop they can kick it out to Granger and possibly win the series. This is a tough one to call, but I feel that the Pacers are going to win in 7. The Heat have too many flaws and I feel that James and Wade aren't going to be able to stay on this roll, so the Pacers will march on.
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