EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Washington Capitals VS. Montreal Canadians (8) 4 games
(2) New Jersey Devils VS. Philadelphia Flyers (7) 6 games
(3) Buffalo Sabres VS. Boston Bruins (6) 6 games
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Ottawa Senators (5) 5 games
-Washington is just too strong for Montreal. Montreal has a huge edge in goaltending, but not enough to overcome the high flying Caps offense. Halak might be able to steal a game, but not any more than that.
-Although Philly has a ragtag set of netminders, and NJ has the legendary Brodeur, Philly managed to manhandle Brodeur this year. I think they'll keep it up in the playoffs. This one could go 7.
-Buffalo has Miller and Boston has Rask - I feel like they cancel each other out. Offense wise, Bruins were the lowest scoring team in the NHL, and Savard being out isn't going to help. I don't know where the Sabres were ranked offhand, but they'll score enough to win.
-Losing Kovalev is going to hurt Ottawa. Even though he didn't really have a good season, he's a solid player in the playoffs. Elliot and Leclaire don't instill confidence in me - I think Crosby, and Malkin if he plays more like he did last year, will eat them alive.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) San Jose Sharks VS. Colorado Avalanche (8) 5 games
(2) Chicago Blackhawks VS. Nashville Predators (7) 5 games
(3) Vancouver Canucks VS. Los Angeles Kings (6) 6 games
(4) Phoenix Coyotes VS. Detroit Red Wings (5) 6 games
-Anderson, the biggest reason they made the playoffs, is very fatigued after starting the most games of his career. The big 3 for the Sharks should take advantage. If this little break is enough for Anderson, I can see him stealing this series.
-I like Nashville, and especially how they're run, but I don't think David is going to survive the pounding the Goliath Hawks are going to unleash. I hope Nashville wins though.
-Well, my team hasn't been playing very well lately, but that might have been due to their position already been determined over a week ago. The offense has been fantastic this year, the defense solid (when healthy - we'll miss Mitchell a lot), but the goaltending suspect. Luongo hasn't been himself since the Olympics. Lucky for us though, Quick hasn't been too hot himself. I think the Canucks win in 6, but I can see LA winning.
-The entire year I've doubted Phoenix, thinking they'll fall down back to Earth. They haven't yet, and I don't think they'll start now. Detroit is old, has played so many games over the past season, dealing with injured players - I think they're out early.
