Playoff predictions, third round: Peter vs Ian vs Keith, a coin

There were some dud series in the second round – Caps-Canes, I’m looking at you – but overall I’m having a blast. I think the next round is going to be great. But first…

Matt from the comments did the math, and it turns out that after all these years Ian and I (Peter) were tied for the number correct predictions. I pulled two ahead of him last round, but it’s still very, very close. But – and this part stings – I have guessed only five more series correctly than Keith, who — I have to emphasize — is a coin. I have been watching this sport for thirty years and writing about it for 16. I’m fractionally better at prediction than a quarter.

It’s almost as if this is a years-long, tortured bit about how the playoffs are random chaos, and the 2010 Montreal series didn’t need to break me mentally. Say, have you met Keith?

Meet Keith, a Coin

Keith is a sick, sick coin. He’s been going all-in on sweeps this loffs, and it’s not going well. I would say he’s on tilt, but that’s a mixed metaphor. Tilt is an interesting one. I think it originated in pinball, to punish you for physically tilting the machine. But then pinball waned, except then a lot of people my age knew it as a poker term, for a player making bad choices because they’re losing. Except that was a small subculture – I guess until it spilled over into competitive gaming. And now, twitch streaming? Gen Z uses it, I can confirm. Keith is worth 25 cents and is right 50 percent of the time.

The results so far

Using the universally understood 🚽/🌮 score-keeping system.

And now, our predictions.

Dallas ⭐️ vs Edmonton 🛢️

Peter: My heart wants Rantanen vs Carolina in the final, but I can’t see it happening. I feel like the Stars depended too much on special teams to beat Colorado and Winnipeg, and I am not convinced they can keep that up against an Edmonton team that – I’m sorry to say it – is Canada’s best chance at winning a Cup since the early 90s. Edmonton in six.

Ian: I have picked against the Stars in almost every pick ’em, and I’m not going to change now. Mikko Rantanen’s star power almost got me, but the Oilers are peaking at the right time. Edmonton in six.

Keith, a coin: Edmonton in six.

Carolina ☔️ vs Florida 🐱

Peter: “Carolina is boring,” some haters say, and they are correct. Source: the Game Recap category page on RMNB.  I think, if anything, the Panthers have been underperforming – five-on-five saving by Bob is .892. The Canes are faster, the Cats are tougher. The Canes shoot from anywhere, the Cats shoot harder and crash the net more. Hypothetically this is a great matchup, but if Carolina get its way it’s going to be booooooring. Florida in six.

Ian: The Eastern Conference Final features the two most forecheck’iest teams in the NHL. One would assume the watching experience of this series will be like two UFC fighters just kicking each other from a far distance for three rounds — but I have a feeling it’ll be a surprise barnburner. While the Hurricanes made the Capitals’ offense impotent, I think the Playoff Panthers are more difficult offense to contain and diffuse, especially with how many big game players they have on the power play. Comparing the two teams: the Hurricanes’ top level skill is lacking, I’m picking Bob over Andersen all day, and the Hurricanes’ throw-everything-on-net-at-all-times depends so much on luck. With such tiny margins in the postseason, the Panthers have an edge, but this series will be a coin flip. Florida in seven.

Keith, a coin: Florida in five.

Keith has picked the Carolina Hurricanes to sweep the Washington Capitals. I hate this guy. Now it’s your turn. Share your results below. I like this format: CITY in X games.