EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Washington Capitals VS. Montreal Canadians (8) 5 games
(2) New Jersey Devils VS. Philadelphia Flyers (7) 7 games
(3) Buffalo Sabres VS. Boston Bruins (6) 5 games
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Ottawa Senators (5) 6 games
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) San Jose Sharks VS. Colorado Avalanche (8) 5 games
(2) Chicago Blackhawks VS. Nashville Predators (7) 4 games
(3) Vancouver Canucks VS. Los Angeles Kings (6) 5 games
(4) Phoenix Coyotes VS. Detroit Red Wings (5) 7 games
I have a feeling Phoenix is a much, much better team than people give them credit for, and the Wings, late surge notwithstanding, are just too tired to go deep.
Brodeur will flame out in the second round, and take the team with him. I'm shocked that the Devils will play a 38-year old man for 75-80 games, and then act surprised when they don't go deep in the playoffs.
Boston can't score. The Sabres have little beyond Ryan Miller, and against the Bruins, they might not need him.
Washington doesn't play defense and their goaltending's shaky - recipe for playoff success there. Montreal doesn't do anything well, though, so they'll go the second round.
Ottawa's tough enough to go the conf. finals or beyond. They're deep when it comes to skaters - but I don't like the idea of riding a Cinderella rookie goalie to the Stanley Cup. Patrick Roy aside, it doesn't happen.
Chicago's going to the SCF. Pencil it in.
If they don't, Vancouver will.
San Jose - why bother? We know how this will turn out.
The Penguins are maddeningly inconsistent, but I can't tell if that's because they were tired or if they were simply coasting.
This is the first time in a while I don't see a definite upset coming, but I think Philly and Detroit have the best chance of doing so.
