[foltdan]

Eastern Conference


(1) Rangers
vs.
(8) Senators

This is the biggest gimmie in the playoffs to me... the Rangers are too talented in every area for the Senators to be able to put up a very convincing fight. Lundqvist has been an absolute beast in net, and will probably end up winning the Vezina Trophy for his efforts this season. But, important to note is the fact that the Senators were actually able to take the Rangers down 3-1 in their games this season. Both teams suffer from a lack of depth past their top two lines, but I think it's going to come down to the Rangers experience vs. the Senators youth. The Senators young players, while talented, are going to buckle under the pressure of their first taste of the playoffs and go down without much of a fight.

​Rangers in 4


(2) Bruins
vs.
(7) Capitals

The Caps are suffering from a number of injuries in net, and that's really going to hurt them as they try to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champs. The Bruins don't have the same issues in that area, with Tim Thomas providing a steady presence for them between the pipes. I think the key to this series is going to be the return of Backstrom for the Caps... he was out for a long time this year, but was able to play the last four games of the year, getting progressively better in each game. I think that he and Ovechkin are finally going to be able to put their playoff demons behind them, and win this David vs. Goliath matchup.

Capitals in 7


(3) Panthers
vs.
(6) Devils

Much like the Coyotes, most of the so-called "experts" have written the Panthers off in this series... but I think that's way too premature. While the Panthers didn't impress a lot of people down the stretch, they did pick up points in 7 of their last 10 games on their way to their first ever Division Championship. They're a scrappy team that has trouble scoring goals without the man advantage, but punishes teams that have problems staying out of the box. Brodour is one of the best of all-time in net, but he's suffered from inconsistency problems over the course of his career, especially in the playoffs. I think the Cats end up scratching and clawing their way (pun intended) to a very hard fought round one victory.

Panthers in 7


(4) Penguins
vs.
(5) Flyers

Crosby is back and playing well for the Pens, and they're a scoring machine with Malkin putting up huge numbers this year en route to a likely Hart Trophy. Meanwhile the Flyers have a very inconsistent goalie in Bryzgalov, and a number of key injuries to deal with. In the end, the net is going to prove to be too humongous big (look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about) for Bryz to defend, while the Penguins march on to an easy round one victory.

Penguins in 5


Western Conference



(1) Canucks
vs.
(8) Kings

Which Roberto Luongo are we going to see show up in this series? The one that can be dominant, or the one that looks like he has no clue how to guard the net? Vancouver is dangerous as hell, in the top 6 in Goals, Goals Against, Power Play, and Penalty Kill. The Kings have a lot of problems scoring goals, but Quick is just spectacular in goal. The Kings come into the playoffs on a bit of a skid, losing their last two games to San Jose... though the Clowe play very well may have changed the outcome of that first game against them. I think the bad Luongo is going to show up, while Quick makes the Canucks offense suffer with amazing play in net.

Kings in 6


(2) Blues
vs.
(7) Sharks

The Blues have a two-headed monster in goal, and it's going to be tough for the Sharks to score goals against them... but maybe Clowe will be able to put one in from the bench. The Sharks are really talented up front, and I think will be able to score just enough goals to win the series, with their 2nd best power play showing up when they need it. The Blues don't score a lot of goals, and that's really going to hurt them. Ultimately, I think the series is a toss-up, with the Sharks pulling it off in the end.

Sharks in 7


(3) Coyotes
vs.
(6) Blackhawks

Well I'm obviously going to pick the Coyotes here, but not just because I'm a fan. The Coyotes are an excellent defensive team, boasting the fifth best GAA in the league this year, and the hottest goalie in the league right now in Mike Smith. The lack of a power play is really going to hurt them, but their 8th best penalty kill will be more than sufficient to face a power play that's nearly as bad as their own. We still don't know if Toews is even going to be playing in this series (still no decision about Thursday's game). Chicago's 3rd and 4th lines haven't been all that great this year, while Phoenix has gotten pretty good production from theirs.

Coyotes in 5


(4) Predators
vs.
(5) Red Wings

The Predators are flat out dominant on special teams, with the best Power Play in the league this year. Neither one of these teams spends much time in the penalty box (Detroit is 29th in PIMs and Nashville is 30th), but I fully expect the Predators to be able to capitalize when they get the man advantage, and that's what the difference in the series is going to be. Detroit had a horrible final stretch of the season, only winning 5 of their last 17, and losing their final two games. Sorry Red Wings fans, but you're going home in the first roun this year.

Predators in 6