Eddie Playoff Predictions: First Round

82 games have been played and we are now down to 16 teams that will play on for the right to be crowned Stanley Cup Champions. The first round begins tomorrow night, and you can look below for a schedule of when games will be played.

Eastern Conference:

(1) Washington Capitals vs (8) Montreal Canadiens

Washington is one of the most deadly teams in terms of offense. They have a lot of firepower with Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Green. Expect this to be one of the shorter series in the playoffs, as Montreal doesn’t have much to overtake the Capitals. I won’t be surprised of Halak steals a game however. The juicy subplot to look is Caps goalie Theodore making a return to Montreal.

My Pick: Washington

(2) New Jersey vs (7) Philadelphia

Philly made the playoffs because they beat New York in a shootout. Most people hate the shootout, but I applaud Gary Bettman for bringing in the shootout to have every game a winner because under the old system, NY would have to win outright to make the playoffs. At least they came a shootout away from making it. New Jersey is perhaps the only team that can take out Washington, but first things first: and that’s to get past Philadelphia.

My Pick: New Jersey

(3) Buffalo vs (6) Boston

Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller has a lot of expectations this year. Sabres fans are expecting a deep playoff run, but if there is an upset here in the first round, it could be the pesky Bruins. Bruins backstop Tukka Rask is 4-1 against the Sabres, so he has the potential so steal a game or two in the series. It’s up to the rest of the Bruins to hold up their end of the deal to beat the Sabres.

My Pick: Buffalo

(4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Ottawa

Pittsburgh’s title defense begins with Ottawa. Pittsburgh has to hope for an upset in another series to avoid Washington in the second round. But they have to take care of their own business first. Ottawa simply isn’t as deep as Pittsburgh. Both goalies are like Sieves so expect a lot of goals in this series. Malkin’s return helps the Penguins score a few more goals than the Senators.

My Pick: Pittsburgh

Will these Chicago Ice Dancers continue to dance come June?
Will these Chicago Ice Dancers continue to dance come June?

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs (8) Colorado

San Jose is the top seed in the West. Can they make the championship run this season? They sure have the players needed. But it takes a couple steals of close games to push them over the top. If the West has a sweep in any series, look for it to be this one. San Jose can use the rest and clutch goaltending in the second round where their playoff trouble usually begins.

My Pick: San Jose

(2) Chicago vs (7) Nashville

Nashville did catch a break and will face someone not named Detroit or San Jose. But they did draw Chicago, which ended Detroit’s eight-year stranglehold on the division. This series will come down to the play of Rinne vs Chicago’s powerful offense. Look for Chicago to win the series, but Nashville’s defense will steal at least one, maybe two games.

My Pick: Chicago

(3) Vancouver vs (6) Los Angeles

Vancouver is like the west coast version of Buffalo. They both tend to get past the first round, but can’t get past the second. Roberto Luongo needs to get his head on straight because the Kings are no slouch. Los Angeles will be the surprise team of the playoffs, which is why I’m going out on a limb and saying that the Kings will win this series. The Canucks have been a fraud just like the Sharks and until both teams can advance to a Stanley Cup final, they will continue to be frauds.

My Pick: Los Angeles

(4) Phoenix vs (5) Detroit

Phoenix drew the unlucky draw and the pleasure of facing the hottest team in the league Detroit. The teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 1998 when the Red Wings advanced in six games on their way to the Stanley Cup. Jimmy Howard has the opportunity to play himself into Red Wings lore as the young goalie who can win a championship like teammate Chris Osgood. Or he can prove the doubters wrong like they did Curtis Joseph several years ago. Phoenix isn’t easy but it was the best matchup Detroit could have asked for.

My Pick: Detroit

Below is my playoff bracket.

Eddie

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