@Young:
I sent you my picks… What do you think? (lol)
You picked some good guys, providing it works out the way you envision. That is always the caveat.
I have tended to do something similar in the past (pick guys from the 4 teams you think will make it to the conference finals). It can either work out really well, or you can be sunk after the first round.
The thing about this year, more so than others in recent memory, is that (almost) anyone could win a given series and go deep (except for Columbus that is). Really though, how do you pick between LA and San Jose? Montreal and Tampa Bay? New York and Philadelphia? Chicago and St. Louis? Colorado and Minnesota?
Even Boston and Detroit… wacky things can happen and the Red Wings cannot be shrugged off. Last year they were in about the same position and defeated No. 2 and very nearly took out No.1. Like Mike Babcock said, it is amazing what you can do to a number 1 seed (Toronto should have done it last year). It is Boston’s series to lose. All that said, I still think Boston is going to win, especially in a 7 game series, but Detroit has the capability to give Boston heavy poolies a heart attack.
The matchups are so close, between such quality teams, anything could happen. It is so scary to have to pick guys from LA and San Jose that the inclination is to stay away and not pick any, but not picking any can hurt you just as bad as picking the wrong ones. Fortune favors the bold in a pool setting and somebody is going to end up looking real smart.
I have no idea what I am going to do, but I think you have some solid picks. I do not trust Colorado though… great record, but they have incredibly little playoff experience (not counting Roy). If Varlamov breaks down at all, they are done for. But the same could be said of Minnesota… Bryzgalov ended the season amazingly well, but he has been a trainwreck in the playoffs. It will be interesting to watch.
