NHL scout makes playoff picks
Editor's Note: Former Moncton resident Robbie Laird, director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings, today offers his predictions for the third round of the 2008 National Hockey League Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin Thursday. Laird, 52, is in his 14th year with the Kings and 11th in the club's pro scouting department. He previously coached the now-defunct Moncton Hawks of the American Hockey League (1992-94). Laird also spent two seasons as the head coach of the International Hockey League's Phoenix Roadrunners, the Kings affiliate. In 1989-90, Laird was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals.
Since my good friend Eddie St. Pierre asked me for my NHL playoff predictions, the record stands at 9-3. I missed on the Philadelphia Flyers in both rounds as well as the Anaheim/Dallas series in round one.
It is down to four teams with a lot of similarities on all the teams. Marty Turco, Chris Osgood, Marty Biron and Marc-Andre Fleury have been excellent. Each team has had great leadership. Brendon Morrow, has anybody in the playoffs been more inspiring? Then you have the three other captains -- Nick Lidstrom, Mike Richards and Sidney Crosby.
CONFERENCE FINALS
Eastern Conference
No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have upset both Washington and the Montreal Canadiens. They deserved the victory in both rounds. The Flyers can spread their offence around, they have three balanced scoring lines that are capable of getting the job done on any given game. R.J. Umberger had the series of his life scoring eight times against Montreal. Mike Richards has been the best all around for me. He provides offence, plays against top lines and has been outstanding killing penalties. The Pens need to be aware of him when on the power play as he gets shorthanded scoring chances each game.
The Penguins have only lost once after two rounds and are undefeated on home ice. Marc-Andre Fleury leads all playoff goalies with a .938 save percentage. Evgeni Malkin has been great and Crosby has been good. Sid the Kid is averaging less than 20 minutes per game, which is down in comparison to most of the stars. I think he has lots left in the tank. Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and home ice are the difference makers in the battle of Pennsylvania.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins in six.
Western Conference
No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 5 Dallas Stars
Of all the quarter-finals series, the Stars-Sharks may have been the best hockey of any. It took Dallas four overtime periods to put away San Jose in six games. Mary Turco has been fantastic not only at keeping the puck out of the net but by moving it to his teammates. He negates the opponents forecheck and starts the transition as often as any defenceman. What else could be said about Brendon Morrow, 19 hits and the overtime game winner to win the series in Game 6. He has been a force in every game.
In terms of pure skill, no team has more of it then the Detroit Red Wings. For years puck control has been their trademark and a lot of people don't give this group enough credit for their grit/compete level. Elite skill players: Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Nick Lidstrom play through all kinds of resistance, Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom take all kings of abuse in front of the net while producing big goals. I need to mention Franzen leads all scorers with 11 goals. Nicklas Kronwall hits as hard as anybody in the NHL. If Chris Osgood keeps playing at the level he has the Wings will win it all.
Prediction Detroit in six.
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