Stanley Cup Playoffs...First Round

After 82 games and a season of anticipation, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are here. The Washington Capitals look to be the best team out East and both the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks look strong out West. But unlike other major sports, it is hard to predict what might happen in the postseason. We have seen 8 seeds knock off 1 seeds and not the best team win the Stanley Cup, but the hottest team. Goalie play is equivalent to pitcher, quarterback, and guard play in the other sports. The New Jersey Devils have the best ever, but there are many quality goalies in these playoffs. Time to drop the puck and see who moves a step closer to lifting Lord Stanley's Cup.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
1 Washington Capitals v 8 Montreal Canadiens: Alex Ovechkin is definitely one of the best players in the whole NHL and has a balanced team around him. They have a top goaltender and a tough defense. They outscored their opponents by 85 goals and enter the playoffs playing as good as ever. The Canadiens edged in as a result of the Rangers losing, but could put up a fight in a couple games. However, Ovechkin and the Caps look too powerful. PICK: CAPITALS (in 4 or 5)

2 New Jersey Devils v 7 Philadelphia Flyers: Nothing like a divisional battle in the first round. These two teams and their fans don't like each other much and that makes it that much a better a series. Martin Brodeur showed a few signs of age this season and at the Olympics, but he stills get it done. The Devils have a few young guys like Zach Parise, who can take the game to some of the Flyers' tough defenders. The Flyers did enough at the end of the season and won a shootout over the Rangers to get in. I just wonder how much they have left against a very good team like New Jersey. If they steal one of the first two, this one could change in their favor. PICK: DEVILS (in 5)

3 Buffalo Sabres v 6 Boston Bruins: The Sabres' feature the American star of the Olympics, Ryan Miller, in goal against a Bruins team that is starting to hit their stride. The two are very close at this moment and thus should provide for a back and forth series. I like the shooting ability of the Bruins and they look to be one of those teams entering the playoffs playing pretty hot. PICK: BRUINS (in 6)

4 Pittsburgh Penguins v 5 Ottawa Senators: The defending champions Penguins have a great chance to repeat. Sidney Crosby is one of the stars of the NHL, but things won't be easy against the Senators. They come in pretty hot, but I'm not sure if they will have to outlast the Penguins 4 times. The Senators will push the Penguins, but Crosby and his supporting cast do enough. PICK: PENGUINS (in 5 or 6)

Western Conference Quarterfinals
1 San Jose Sharks v 8 Colorado Avalanche: The Sharks finished as the top seed out West for the second straight year and look slightly better than last year. They come in playing very well and have multiple scoring threats. The Avalanche seemed to be mismatched in almost every way, but can steal one or two. PICK: SHARKS (in 5)

2 Chicago Blackhawks v 7 Nashville Predators: The Blackhawks showed much improvement last year and enter these playoffs as a serious favorite to win it all. The Predators have played about as well as the Blackhawks coming into the playoffs and enough weapons to make this a challenge for Chicago. The young nucleus will tough to beat in the end for the Predators. PICK: BLACKHAWKS (in 5 or 6)

3 Vancouver Canucks v 6 Los Angeles Kings: These two have a few weapons who can score, but I give the goalie edge to the Canucks and that should be the difference. Vancouver has enough to shut down most of what the Kings will send. PICK: CANUCKS (in 6)

4 Phoenix Coyotes v 5 Detroit Red Wings: This is probably the closest matchup of all the quarterfinal games in both conferences. The Red Wings are starting to hit their playoff groove and have a core of the teams that went to the last two Stanley Cups and won one. The Coyotes had probably their best season and will man a team capable of knocking off a veteran squad like the Red Wings. The Red Wings have an excellent combination of offense and defense and despite some signs of slowing down a bit; they are still very good. PICK: RED WINGS (in 6 or 7)

I like all my predictions, but I know not expect the expected in the NHL playoffs as surprises could occur in one or more series. I do expect a lot of good games. Some will be shootouts with 5-4 scores and others will probably be nail biters with 2-1. Also in a couple we might see teams like the Sharks or Capitals show their dominance. Let the puck drop and see where it takes us.