Lil' late for the predictions, but here are mine:
Eastern Conference:
vs.
The Rangers are one of the favourites to contend for the cup, and the Sens are going into this game with a losing streak. I honestly don't see how Ottawa can really handle the Rangers unless Anderson plays
better than he did in the series he played 2 years ago against San Jose.
Rangers win it in 5.
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vs.
The Caps won't last long when they're still having goalie issues (and in more ways than one). Also their depth is terrible, so competing with Boston's is gonna suck massive eggs.
Boston sweeps the series.
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vs.
This series is gonna be interesting. Theodore has been rather terrible in the last few playoff series he has been in, that said the same could be said about Brodeur. My bold prediction is that the
Panthers will win it in 7.
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vs.
This is probably going to be the best series in the first round. I know that Bryz has been playing really well in the past month or so, but that was how it was last year with Phoenix (and he couldn't stop a thing in the series against Detroit).
Penguins win it in 6.
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Western Conference:
vs.
This series is going to come down to either the Kings inability to score, or whether Luongo crumbles under pressure and chokes. Frankly, I think it's going to be the latter. There's also the matter of whether or not Daniel Sedin will be able to play (and if so, at 100%). Either way, I think that the
Kings sweep the series.
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vs.
HALAK!
Blues win it in 5.
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vs.
I don't want the Coyotes to win, as the Blackhawks are the far more entertaining team to watch. However the Coyotes are a really good team with a good structure. It'll probably come down to goaltending, which means I think the
Coyotes will win it in 7.
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vs.
Why do these 2 always seem to meet up in the first round of the playoffs? Every time they do, Nashville gets eliminated. Hopefully this will change!
Nashville wins it in 6.