I'm writing this between the 2nd and 3rd periods of the Hurricanes @ Blue Jackets game tonight. The score is 1-4 in favor of Columbus. I am not feeling good. Sitting here at my computer, I realized my time was better spent not watching a sad hockey game. Instead, I'll write some predictions to vent my frustrations about the team.
In case you don't care to read this short post; I'l get my prediction out of the way. I think the Hurricanes will be eliminated in the Conference Finals.
Now the fun part.
So, based on current standings, the Canes will start off against the Boston Bruins. I like that as a starting point, we can definitely beat them, maybe 4-2 in the series. My biggest concern is if our goaltending can't get sorted out. Not only that, but our offense is sluggish, and defense stands strong only to give up a breakaway on a VERY avoidable turnover. A tale as old as time this season it seems.
If we can fix those pain points, the bruins will be a cake walk. There is also a chance, and I think it's extremely likely, that the Blue Jackets sneak in through the wild card slot. I believe they could put up a really good fight, maybe force us into a game 7.
Round 2, we get either the Penguins or the Islanders. I take the Penguins easy in that one. No particular reason, I haven't watched much of either, but my gut says Pens. Because I have little knowledge of the Pens, I say we get them 4-2, like the Bruins. Should be easy.
Now, onto the Conference Finals, I have no idea what to expect. I only know our history, and that any of the teams on that side of the bracket could beat us just as we could beat them on any given day. My biggest concern is Tampa or Detroit. Both of those teams scare me, even if we play decently against them in the regular season.
I'd like to come back to these predictions after the playoffs and see if I was at all right. Hopefully we don't embarass ourselves and get knocked round one. I am very, very scared that we have a first round exit waiting for us.