The match-ups are set and the real season begins on Wednesday. That of course means a totally meaningless prediction post!
WC
SJS - ANA
This should be an interesting series. San Jose was obviously the better team through most of the season, but the Ducks have really started to come on lately. The Sharks have the greater depth, but I might take Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan as the strongest single trio out of any of the forward groups. And Hiller might be the better goalie.
That said, it's hard to argue against the Presidents Trophy winners. They were the top team in the league for a reason.
Sharks in 7.
DET - CBJ
Looks like a mis-match, no doubt, but I think the Red Wings would have liked to avoid Columbus in the first round. Detroit is exploitable because of their goaltending and the BJ's Hickcockian coaching strategy might be able to take advantage.
Columbus in 7.
VCR - STL
Flames fans...take a look at the favorable first round match-up your team pissed away. Not to take anything away from the Blues - their run and subsequent placing in the WC is remarkable - but they are probably the weakest team in a play-off position. Partially because they're so young, partially because of their injury issues and partially because their run was predicated on goaltending and bounces. One loss against the Edmonton Oilers turned a first round series with home ice advantage versus the St. Louis Blues into an away series versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yes, the regular season matters.
Vancouver in 5
CHI - CGY
Im obviously going to be writing a bunch more on this series in the next few days. Let's just say, the Flames record against CHI and their performance the last few weeks has been...disquieting.
Chicago in 6.
EC
BOS - MTL
Boston is a quality team that has been smiled upon by the hockey gods all year. Tim Thomas has been out of his mind good and everyone from Krejci to Ryder has had a career year up front. Montreal, on the other hand, came back down to earth after being the chosen club last season. Cary Price has looked like a vulnerable kid more often than not this year and Andrei Markov actually led the team in scoring for a large portion of the season. And now he's injured.
Boston in 6.
WAS - NYR
If the Capitals had someone even slightly better than Jose Theodore in net, they would be juggernauts. Ovechkin, Semin, Green, Federov, Backstrom...they are effing scary.
And while the Rangers have Lundvist, I dont think it'll be enough. Mediocre back-end and not enough depth of fire power to take on the Capitals. I think this'll be a walk.
Washington in 5.
NJD - CAR
The Devils stumbled down the stretch while Carolina went on a tear, but it's hard not to like New Jersey in this one. I think they have superior forward depth and Parise is probably the best player in the series (although Staal isn't too far behind). Ward has finally arrived though, so if Brodeur continues to fade, Carolina could take this one. That's not something I'll bet on, though
New Jersey in 7.
PIT - PHI
This baby is going to be a war. Hard to choose between the two clubs too. I mean, the Penguins have Malkin, Crosby and Gonchar, but the Flyers have several capable forward lines (featuring Richards, Carter, Knuble, Briere, Gagne, Giroux...). Neither team has demonstrably superior goaltending over the other. Let's flip a coin.
Philly in 7.
Here's hoping I beat the damn TSN monkey.
