This thread is to discuss the developments of the 2009 NHL Playoffs. The regular season is now complete and the NHL playoffs will commence within a few days. 16 teams have made the playoffs and the match-ups are set. Here are the match-ups for the opening round of the playoffs:

Western Conference

#1 Sharks vs. #8 Ducks

#2 Red Wings vs. #7 Blue Jackets

#3 Canucks vs. #6 Blues

#4 Blackhawks vs. #5 Flames

Eastern Conference

#1 Bruins vs. #8 Canadiens

#2 Capitals vs. #7 Rangers

#3 Devils vs. #6 Hurricanes

#4 Pengunis vs. #5 Flyers

The Sharks vs Ducks and the Bruins vs Canadiens series look to be the most thrilling by far.

If you want, please pick your predictions for playoff series winners (for now only pick Round 1).

canadiens in 7
capitals in 5
devils in 7
penguins in 6
don't know about the west

The only one I'm predicting is the Canes
Canes in 6.

I'm not feeling very confident in my team. The Bruins are a seriously tough team. I'm sure it's gonna be one of, if not the, most entertaining first wound series.

If the habs are to win though, I'm imagining it'll be a long series.

East:
Canadiens in 6 or 7
Caps in 4
Hurricanes in 6
Penguins in 5

West:
Sharks in 6 - Ducks have been doing really well lately, I think they may surprise the Sharks a bit
Red Wings in 5
Canucks in 4
Calgary in 6


I'm usually really bad at these predictions, but if I only were to get one right, I hope it's the Canadiens.

The first round schedule is now out, times can be viewed here -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Stanley_Cup_playoffs

First playoff games will be held on Wednesday night

-Sharks > Ducks
-Red Wings < Blue Jackets
-Canucks > Blues
-Blackhawks > Flames


-Bruins > Canadiens
-Capitals > Rangers
-Devils < Hurricanes
-Penguins > Flyers

Western Conference
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Ducks (in 7)
#2 Red Wings vs. #7 Blue Jackets (in 6)
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Blues (in 6)
#4 Blackhawks vs. #5 Flames (in 5)

 Eastern Conference
#1 Bruins vs. #8 Canadiens (in 5)
#2 Capitals vs. #7 Rangers (in 6)
#3 Devils vs. #6 Hurricanes (in 7)
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Flyers (in 6)

I don't think there'll be any upsets really since many of the teams are very close to each other in ability. The only series that I would deem "upsets" are if the Ducks/Bluejackets/Canadiens win.........every other series is pretty equal.

Montrealer here... We did it before!! We can do it again!!!!! Pull price, stick da slav in, AND WINNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 100CENTuRIES OF GrEAT CaNAAdianN HOCKEY!!!!!!! CUP nO# 27 HeeeEEeeEEeEeERRRREE WE COMEAAAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

3 and a half hours till the first games start......the wait is killing me.

The first set of playoff games are now over, here's the results from today -

NY Rangers beat Washington Capitals 4 to 3 in regulation. Washington Leads series 1-0

Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in regulation. Pittsburgh leads series 1-0

New Jersey Devils beat Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in regulation. New Jersey Leads series 1-0

Vancouver Canucks beat St. Louis Blues 2-1 in regulation. Vancouver Leads series 1-0