By John Casey
Note: Though this is being posted after the playoffs began, the article was written Monday, April 13.
Eastern Conference:
1 Washington Capitals vs 8 Montreal Canadiens
The Caps are simply one of, if not the best team in the NHL right now. They have an explosive offense. Their defense and goaltending continue to be huge question marks, but a team does not post 121 points by luck. They do play in the weak southeast division, but this Capitals team is still very dangerous. It is not a matter of if the Caps will win the series, it comes down to how many games it will take. That will be determined by the play of Canadiens' goaltending. Jaroslav Halak is capable of stealing a game or two in this series. And if Halak happens to get pulled at some point, Carey Price is also capable. My guess is that Halak will win one game for the Habs.
Prediction: Capitals in 5
2 New Jersey Devils vs 7 Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers took the season series 5-1. They seem to have to Devils number this season. Once the playoffs begin, that 5-1 record means nothing. The Flyers still have inconsistent goaltending. Brian Boucher played great against Toronto, awful in the first Rangers game, then came back and got the Flyers into the playoffs. You just do not know which Boosh will show up. Marty Brodeur is older. He has played a lot of games this year again, plus he played a couple Olympic games for Canada. That being said, he is still Marty Brodeur and is capable of taking a series over. The physical play of the Flyers could be the x-factor in this series. The Devils have not responded well to physical play, especially against the Flyers. This series will go the distance. Unfortunately I do not think it will finish the way Flyers fans want it to.
Prediction: Devils in 7
3 Buffalo Sabres vs 6 Boston Bruins
The Sabres have Ryan Miller in goal. Right there shows they are capable of making a deep playoff run. The Bruins are without Marc Savard for the rest of the season after he was knocked out by the Matt Cooke hit. Rookie Tuukka Rask is a great goalie. He is going to get even better. But these playoffs Ryan Miller will be the star. Much like the Flyers/Devils series, this one will also be long and hard fought.
Prediction: Sabres in 7
4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs 5 Ottawa Senators
The defending Stanley Cup Champions are still just as dangerous as they were last season. The Senators are coming in with a young goalie in Brian Elliott and without sniper Alex Kovalev. Even with the streaky Kovalev, this was going to be a tough series for the Sens to win. With the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury, it may be too much for the Sens to handle. The Senators will not just roll over and die. They will put up some fight and give the Penguins some trouble, much like the Flyers did in last year's round 1. It just will not be enough.
Prediction: Penguins in 6
Western Conference:
1 San Jose Sharks vs 8 Colorado Avalanche
It seems every year the Sharks are dominant in the regular season then come up short in the postseason. It seems every year the experts say this is the year the Sharks go all the way then they are bounced from the playoffs without even a Stanley Cup final appearance. There is no telling which Sharks team will come out in this year's playoffs, but they should not have a problem with a young Avalanche team. The Avs are coming off one of their worst year's in team history and they have bounced back very well. They picked up a good goalie in Craig Anderson and future superstar Matt Duchene has been awesome in his rookie season. In the end, the Sharks will just be too much for the Avalanche to handle.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
2 Chicago Blackhawks vs 7 Nashville Predators
Much like the Capitals, the Blackhawks have a high powered offense but big question marks in goal and on defense. I have never been a big Huet fan and Neimi is unproven in the playoffs. The duo of superstars Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews will be the difference makers in this series. The Predators had a good season and, in my opinion, have the better goaltending in the series. Unfortunately for them, the Hawks offense will just be too much for the Preds to handle.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 5
3 Vancouver Canucks vs 6 Los Angeles Kings
I really like the team the Kings have. They have three young goalies with a lot of potential. They have a good balanced offense and their defense is solid led by young superstars Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson. Head Coach Terry Murray has done an awesome job since taking over the team. The Kings are close, but it might not be their year just yet. The Canucks have a top tier goalie in Roberto Luongo and the reigning Art Ross winner in Henrik Sedin. If having one Sedin is not scary enough, lets add his twin brother Daniel. They are a pretty lethal duo. One other player to look out for this series is Ryan Kesler of the Canucks. Kesler is having a great season and was a key piece of the silver medal winning Team USA in this past Olympics. The Kings are good, but I believe the Canucks will be better.
Prediction: Canucks in 6
4 Phoenix Coyotes vs 5 Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings had a rough season early then came on really strong to close it out. Nobody expected the Coyotes to make the playoffs, let alone finish 4th in the conference. The key to this series will be Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov vs Red Wings rookie goalie Jimmy Howard. Neither goalie has experience as a starter in the playoffs. The Red Wings have the veterans like Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Zetterberg. The Coyotes have Shane Doan and a crop of young role players. The Coyotes have had a great season, but come playoff time, it is tough to bet against the Red Wings. At least in the first round anyway.
Prediction: Red Wings in 6
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