I steal Psycho's work np
vs. 
It kind of sucks to see the Sharks win the President's Trophy only to end up facing a formidable foe. Anahiem is probably one of the few teams who can match their grit alongside their scoring touch. It'd be interesting to see who Anahiem runs with (Hiller or Gigeure). If they decide to stick with Hiller, it'll be interesting to see how he handles the playoff pressure. Whereas Giguere has had his share of struggles through out the season, but he is an amazing playoff goalie. However I believe it's San Jose's year this year, and just maybe Todd McLellan can finally get Thornton to produce in the playoffs. I see San Jose winning in 6 games.
vs. 
In their centennial year, who would've thought the Montreal Canadiens would've sunk so far down after having a relatively successful first-half. It's also funny seeing as how these are the very teams who faced off in the first round last year, except their rankings are reversed. Now Carey Price has been extremely shaky after his injury, so it'll be interesting to see if he can perform like he use to. It'll also be quite a challenge for Montreal to play without their main man Markov (who probably won't be back until game 3-4). There is also the wild card Alex Kovalev to consider. If he manages to perform like he did last year, this may end up being a pretty good series. However as they are now, I see Boston winning in 5 games.
vs. 
Columbus makes its first appearance in the playoffs in franchise history, and what a way to celebrate by facing arguably the favourite to win the cup once again. There's not much to really say about this series, of course it will be fun to watch Rick Nash playing in the playoffs. In my mind, this series will go to whoever wins in goalie performance. If Osgood can be decent enough to stop shots that he should be stopping, the Red Wings are a shoe in. If Steve Mason stands on his head and gives the Jackets to win, then they may have a chance. I believe Detroit will win in 7 games.
vs. 
This matchup is pretty ironic. On one hand, you have a team who has amazing offensive prowess but an average goaltender, facing a team who just can't score, but has amazing defensive play and solid goaltending. If Torts can get his guys scoring like he has on some nights, the Rangers will be a force. It'll be interesting to see what role Sean Avery will play, as well as what Ovechkin would do if he wins the series. I see Washington winning in 5 games.
vs. 
The best team since the All-Star break facing off against the second best team since the All-Star break. Everybody had written off the Blues midway through the season, saying that they wouldn't make the playoffs, and here they are in 6th place in the Western Conference. The Canucks also managed to climb the 'unclimbable' ladder and clinched the NorthWest division. I don't really have anything to say, since these teams are a pretty good match. The Blues lack experience, so that'll most likely be their downfall. Canucks win in 5 games.
vs. 
Arguably the most boring series in my opinion, so I won't say much. If the Devils can play the offensive hockey they did this season, coupled with Brodeur playing solidly, they'll win. If Ward stands on his head and Carolina can continue to generate offense, they'll win. I would assume Brodeur can get it together, so I see New Jersey winning in 5 games.
vs. 
The Flames best team in years coupled with injuries vs. a young and healthy Blackhawks team. After the trade deadline, I was convinced that Calgary would be a force in the playoffs, however various injuries dwindle their chances. Another factor would be how Olli Jokinen will do in the playoffs, as this is his first ever appearance. On the other end, we see an inexperienced Blackhawks team. Of course, their young guns are the reason they are in playoff contention in the first place (coupled with the solid goaltending off Khabibulin). I see the Flames winning in 7 games.
vs. 
This game is going to be great. The battle of Pennsylvania presents a series of what real playoff hockey should be: Hard hitting, scoring, and possibly fighting. The emotion in this game will be great, as these guys hate each other. The only thing that is in question is the play of Martin Biron. He played magnificently in the playoffs last year, but that has yet to be shown this year. However I think the Flyers will win, I don't really know why. Flyers win in 6 games.
vs. It kind of sucks to see the Sharks win the President's Trophy only to end up facing a formidable foe. Anahiem is probably one of the few teams who can match their grit alongside their scoring touch. It'd be interesting to see who Anahiem runs with (Hiller or Gigeure). If they decide to stick with Hiller, it'll be interesting to see how he handles the playoff pressure. Whereas Giguere has had his share of struggles through out the season, but he is an amazing playoff goalie. However I believe it's San Jose's year this year, and just maybe Todd McLellan can finally get Thornton to produce in the playoffs. I see San Jose winning in 6 games.
vs. In their centennial year, who would've thought the Montreal Canadiens would've sunk so far down after having a relatively successful first-half. It's also funny seeing as how these are the very teams who faced off in the first round last year, except their rankings are reversed. Now Carey Price has been extremely shaky after his injury, so it'll be interesting to see if he can perform like he use to. It'll also be quite a challenge for Montreal to play without their main man Markov (who probably won't be back until game 3-4). There is also the wild card Alex Kovalev to consider. If he manages to perform like he did last year, this may end up being a pretty good series. However as they are now, I see Boston winning in 5 games.
vs. Columbus makes its first appearance in the playoffs in franchise history, and what a way to celebrate by facing arguably the favourite to win the cup once again. There's not much to really say about this series, of course it will be fun to watch Rick Nash playing in the playoffs. In my mind, this series will go to whoever wins in goalie performance. If Osgood can be decent enough to stop shots that he should be stopping, the Red Wings are a shoe in. If Steve Mason stands on his head and gives the Jackets to win, then they may have a chance. I believe Detroit will win in 7 games.
vs. This matchup is pretty ironic. On one hand, you have a team who has amazing offensive prowess but an average goaltender, facing a team who just can't score, but has amazing defensive play and solid goaltending. If Torts can get his guys scoring like he has on some nights, the Rangers will be a force. It'll be interesting to see what role Sean Avery will play, as well as what Ovechkin would do if he wins the series. I see Washington winning in 5 games.
vs. The best team since the All-Star break facing off against the second best team since the All-Star break. Everybody had written off the Blues midway through the season, saying that they wouldn't make the playoffs, and here they are in 6th place in the Western Conference. The Canucks also managed to climb the 'unclimbable' ladder and clinched the NorthWest division. I don't really have anything to say, since these teams are a pretty good match. The Blues lack experience, so that'll most likely be their downfall. Canucks win in 5 games.
vs. Arguably the most boring series in my opinion, so I won't say much. If the Devils can play the offensive hockey they did this season, coupled with Brodeur playing solidly, they'll win. If Ward stands on his head and Carolina can continue to generate offense, they'll win. I would assume Brodeur can get it together, so I see New Jersey winning in 5 games.
vs. The Flames best team in years coupled with injuries vs. a young and healthy Blackhawks team. After the trade deadline, I was convinced that Calgary would be a force in the playoffs, however various injuries dwindle their chances. Another factor would be how Olli Jokinen will do in the playoffs, as this is his first ever appearance. On the other end, we see an inexperienced Blackhawks team. Of course, their young guns are the reason they are in playoff contention in the first place (coupled with the solid goaltending off Khabibulin). I see the Flames winning in 7 games.
vs. This game is going to be great. The battle of Pennsylvania presents a series of what real playoff hockey should be: Hard hitting, scoring, and possibly fighting. The emotion in this game will be great, as these guys hate each other. The only thing that is in question is the play of Martin Biron. He played magnificently in the playoffs last year, but that has yet to be shown this year. However I think the Flyers will win, I don't really know why. Flyers win in 6 games.
