Eastern Conference
Round 1:
No. 1 Montreal vs No. 8 Boston
Considering the track record Montreal has against the Bruins, this must be a dream match up for them. Montreal gets cocky and finally lets the Bruins take a game from them for the first time since last season. Then the Habs kick it into gear and quickly oust the Bruins. Montreal in 5.
The last time they were in the Playoffs together, didn't it stretch to 7 games? I'd give Boston an extra game, just because past records have said so. Montreal in 6.
No. 2 Pittsburgh vs No. 7 Ottawa
The Sens are limping into the playoffs, still have questions about their goaltending, and are without Alfredsson. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has been stellar lately, especially with the way Fleury is playing. He carried me through the Fantasy playoffs and he'll help do the same for the Penguins in the real thing. Ottawa isn't going to go down without a fight, though, and should be able to take a game or two. Pittsburgh in 6.
I think this series will be dragged out to 7 games. Pittsburgh has not had the same recent playoff experience as Ottawa has had. Pittsburg will still make it, though. Pittsburgh in 7.
No. 3 Washington vs No. 6 Philly
This one is going to be close, IMO. The Flyers have the ability to make this a real series but it really depends on which team shows up. Biron ended the season, I think, on a shutout and that confidence will carry over. Ovechkin is not going to be denied, though, and he'll power the Capitals through a tough first round by whatever means necessary. Washington in 7.
I've always had a soft spot for Ovechkin, so I'm pulling for Washington in this match. His inexperience in the post-season is what will slow down the inevitable outcome of this series, though. I completely agree. Washington in 7.
No. 4 New Jersey vs No. 5 New York Rangers
New York has bested the Devils most of the regular season and with the amount of talent on the team I find it hard not to believe in them. Jagr is finally putting up some numbers to go along with Gomez's respectable season. You can never count out Brodeur's ability to make the big plays and you can bet he's going to steal a couple of games from the Rangers. If Lundqvist makes his presence known early this could be a short series, but I have a feeling Brodeur will delay the inevitable. New York in 6.
I think New York's offensive powers are far too great to ignore. New York in 5.
Round 2:
No. 1 Montreal vs No. 5 New York Rangers
As loaded with potential as the Rangers are, their inconsistency issues creep back in at the wrong time and the Canadiens capitalize to pull out of a 2-2 tie to claim the series. Montreal in 6
No way. Nuh uh. New York has way too many offensive combinations they can pull out of their asses. I think Montreal will be overwhelmed at home, and will not be able to keep their game up afterwards. New York in 5.
No. 2 Pittsburgh vs No. 3 Washington
The Washington Ovechkins again play their hearts out in another tough playoff series. Malkin makes the most of his opportunity to outshine his countrymen and helps legitimize the Penguins as a Cup contender. Pittsburgh in 7.
This is a tough one. I would love to see Washington pull through. For no real reason other than preference, I'd have to say Washington in 6.
Conference Finals:
No. 3 Washington vs No. 5 New York Rangers
Underlines indicate changed teams. This is what I believe the Eastern Conference Finals will boil down to. Ovechkin alone can match up to over half of New York's offensive answers. However, I believe New York to be the better team, overall. Both teams have some experience among them, New York taking the majority. I expect this to be a drawn out series. New York in 7.
Western Conference
Round 1:
No. 1 Detroit vs No. 8 Nashville
As a wings fan, this is not the match up I wanted to see. Detroit's record against the Central hasn't been all that glamorous or dominating despite winning the President's trophy. That said, Nashville made it to the playoffs on guts and passion alone and I think they're about on empty. The Wings make use of their finesse as usual and take care of business after an early scare. They proved last season that choking in the first round is a thing of the past. Detroit in 6.
No arguments, as a fellow Wings fan. However, I see this as a 5 game match. Detroit in 5.
No. 2 San Jose vs No. 7 Calgary
The Sharks are the team to beat in the west as far as I'm concerned. Brian Campbell makes this team the legit favorite to take it all. Meanwhile, Calgary hasn't been able to string together a series of wins and I don't see that trend stopping any time soon. Normally Kiprusoff is in fine form this time of the year but he hasn't looked like the goalie he was a few years ago. Joe Thornton keeps scoring like he's last year's Cheechoo and powers San Jose on through in an easy first round series. Oh yeah, and Nabokov just might make a few saves. San Jose in 5.
San Jose is one of those teams that was quiet for a while (think expansion days), and have slowly become better and better. After last night's loss, I think San Jose will wake up and attack Calgary. San Jose in 6.
No. 3 Minnesota vs No. 6 Colorado
This series is so full of intangibles that it's ridiculous. Can Colorado stay healthy? Can Minnesota find scoring outside of Gaborik? Speaking of Gaborik and health, can he avoid injuries? Minnesota's defensive system outlasts Jose Theodore's heroics and Forsberg pulls something. Minnesota in a tight 7.
I think last night is the start of a trend that will be set. Games determined by one goal once the clock stops ticking. I think Colorado has the potential to take this one, seeing as how Zeus isn't throwing broken bones at anybody else, anymore. Colorado in 7.
No. 4 Anaheim vs No. 5 Dallas
The Ducks have most of the core of last year's cup run. However, their forwards continue to have a tough time scoring, especially with some stellar play from Marty Turco. Dallas's forwards manage to break through Anaheim's D to oust the defending champs in round one. Surprising and impressive turn around after a late season mini slump. Dallas in 6.
Turco is going to be the difference maker. I have a feeling. No arguments. Dallas in 6.
Round 2:
No. 1 Detroit vs No. 5 Dallas
By now I expect Hasek to have two broken hips and back problems to the delight of those in Dallas. However, Detroit proves that the only goaltender they need actually plays on defense. Nick Lidstrom helps backup Chris Osgood look like he did earlier in the season, Pavel Datsyuk continues his quiet but amazing season to school Marty Turco and shut down any opposing center the Stars throw at him. Holmstrom returns to his early season form and causes chaos in front of the opposing net with some killer deflections. A much easier series for the Wings than round one. Detroit in 5.
Naw, Hasek isn't *that* frail. I think he'll be okay, but I do expect a rotation around game 3 or 4 for the sake of giving Hasek a rest. That, in turn, might give Dallas some momentum, but that will quickly be flattened. Detroit in 6.
No. 2 San Jose vs No. 6 Colorado
Colorado will be too tired to compete on a professional level. I think this series will feature a lot of penalties, maybe an injury or two to a core player on both teams. While I'm giving the imagery of a brutal, tiring series, San Jose will clean this up in 5.
Conference Finals:
No. 1 Detroit vs No. 2 San Jose
Every Wings fan's nightmare, a match up against San Jose. This will be the most entertaining series of the playoffs if it happens as both teams are the total package. Hasek resurrects from the dead midway through this series and despite being decent in net, Babcock gives Osgood the boot and Hasek costs the Wings the conference finals. Later on this summer, Detroit refuses to resign a willing to play Dominator and he's forced to hang 'em up for good. Anyway.... San Jose in 7.
No! If you say Detroit's going to lose, Hasek *won't* retire! He is my favorite goaltender, but he needs to retire, so I'm saying Detroit in 6. Bless his old hips...
FINALS:
No. 1 Detroit vs No. 5 New York Rangers
Oh, come on. Nostalgia. Shanahan on the same ice as Detroit, amirite? I think by *now* Hasek will break something, and Osgood will take over. 7 games. No long explanations, no theories, just 7 games.
