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First round
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Boston vs. No. 8 Montreal - Boston in 5. I don't think Montreal will be able to keep up with the Bruin's speed and tough defense, coupled with great goaltending. Montreal's big names can't string jack together.
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 7 N.Y. Rangers - Washington in 6. The Rangers are a PITA to play against, and they are a grinding team to play. Washington also lacks depth, but their edge could well be their strong power player versus the Ranger's non existent one.
No. 3 New Jersey vs. No. 6 Carolina - New Jersey in 5. Carolina should be able to win one game, but the Devils make it very hard to pepper Martin with shots, which is when he tends to falter. But the Devils outmatch Carolina in terms of talent and the number of it, so I don't honestly see them being much a threat here.
No. 4 Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia - Pittsburgh in 6. The Flyers are win one lose one, which in the playoffs CAN work if you win the first game, but the problem is, you slip and the other team will eat you up for it. In ever way the Flyers outclass the Penguins; far greater depth on the forward lines, better defense (as long as Parent is back), but just can not put it together as of late. The only thing that may work in their favor is the Penguins being tired from a furious run to get into the post season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 8 Anaheim - San Jose in 4. Get your brooms out. I don't quite know how SJ has done it, but they are an amazing team with a stand-on-your-head type goalie who comes up huge every night. I just can not see how Anaheim can keep up with San Jose.
No. 2 Detroit vs. No. 7 Columbus - Columbus in 7. Detroit perhaps has the cohesive offense in the game, and given this could be their last run in their current formation due to possible salary cap contraction, expect them to go all out. Their breakout is incredible. However, if Columbus can contain it, they can win. If their big name players who have been around awhile step it up, and Rick Nash proves he is the Captain, Columbus can win; they should certainly be hungry for one, and Ken is a great coach. Detroit knows what they are doing though, so you can't count them out, but I give Columbus an edge in 7 games due to the generally younger makeup of the team mixed with enough experience to pull it out.
No. 3 Vancouver vs. No. 6 St. Louis - Vancouver in 6. Vancouver is a tough, grinding team to play against. I don't think they have the goaltending though to make it past Vancouver. Like Columbus, the Blues will need to bank on having their veterans step up and lead the way. I give Vancouver the edge here though as the Blue's defensive core is pretty green, and I'm unsure of their depth and ability to keep up.
No. 4 Chicago vs. No. 5 Calgary - Calgary in 5. Experience again. Calgary has a fairly experienced core and coach, which I think will make the difference here. Chicago is a good team, but Calgary's experience will get them through even though I think they will likely exit in the second round. It won't be a failure for Chicago to go out here, but I just don't see how they can match up in a playoff situation.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Boston vs. No. 8 Montreal - Boston in 5. I don't think Montreal will be able to keep up with the Bruin's speed and tough defense, coupled with great goaltending. Montreal's big names can't string jack together.
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 7 N.Y. Rangers - Washington in 6. The Rangers are a PITA to play against, and they are a grinding team to play. Washington also lacks depth, but their edge could well be their strong power player versus the Ranger's non existent one.
No. 3 New Jersey vs. No. 6 Carolina - New Jersey in 5. Carolina should be able to win one game, but the Devils make it very hard to pepper Martin with shots, which is when he tends to falter. But the Devils outmatch Carolina in terms of talent and the number of it, so I don't honestly see them being much a threat here.
No. 4 Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia - Pittsburgh in 6. The Flyers are win one lose one, which in the playoffs CAN work if you win the first game, but the problem is, you slip and the other team will eat you up for it. In ever way the Flyers outclass the Penguins; far greater depth on the forward lines, better defense (as long as Parent is back), but just can not put it together as of late. The only thing that may work in their favor is the Penguins being tired from a furious run to get into the post season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 8 Anaheim - San Jose in 4. Get your brooms out. I don't quite know how SJ has done it, but they are an amazing team with a stand-on-your-head type goalie who comes up huge every night. I just can not see how Anaheim can keep up with San Jose.
No. 2 Detroit vs. No. 7 Columbus - Columbus in 7. Detroit perhaps has the cohesive offense in the game, and given this could be their last run in their current formation due to possible salary cap contraction, expect them to go all out. Their breakout is incredible. However, if Columbus can contain it, they can win. If their big name players who have been around awhile step it up, and Rick Nash proves he is the Captain, Columbus can win; they should certainly be hungry for one, and Ken is a great coach. Detroit knows what they are doing though, so you can't count them out, but I give Columbus an edge in 7 games due to the generally younger makeup of the team mixed with enough experience to pull it out.
No. 3 Vancouver vs. No. 6 St. Louis - Vancouver in 6. Vancouver is a tough, grinding team to play against. I don't think they have the goaltending though to make it past Vancouver. Like Columbus, the Blues will need to bank on having their veterans step up and lead the way. I give Vancouver the edge here though as the Blue's defensive core is pretty green, and I'm unsure of their depth and ability to keep up.
No. 4 Chicago vs. No. 5 Calgary - Calgary in 5. Experience again. Calgary has a fairly experienced core and coach, which I think will make the difference here. Chicago is a good team, but Calgary's experience will get them through even though I think they will likely exit in the second round. It won't be a failure for Chicago to go out here, but I just don't see how they can match up in a playoff situation.
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I told my wife that the playoffs start Wednesday and my team starts Thursday...she said I'll see ya in June..lol
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