NHL Playoffs

With the regular season over its time for the top eight teams from the East and West conferences to advance to the post season and battle for prized the Stanly Cup. After Sundays games playoff spots have finally been determined. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the format of NHL playoffs the top eight seeds from each conference go on to battle for the cup each year. They play a seven game series and the first team to four wins moves on. Here’s the way I see the first round playing out…

San Jose (1) vs. Colorado (8)

While San Jose has been known for their first round follies in the past, this is a stronger team than previous years. The difference can be mostly chalked up to solid off season pick up and former Badger Danny Heatley who has stepped up as the powerful goal scorer the Sharks desperately needed. While the Avalanche are young and strong, I don’t see them adding to San Jose’s first round playoff woes.

San Jose in 5 games

Phoenix (4) vs. Detroit (5)

This is the first round playoff matchup I’m most anticipating. These are two very strong and underrated teams that could both go deep into the playoffs if one didn’t have to fall in the first round. The Wings and Coyotes were two of the hottest teams coming off of the Olympic break and this promises to be great series. I’m giving a slight edge to the Red Wings who bested Chicago in their last regular season game on Sunday by playing at a playoff level. The Wings are hungry; don’t be fooled by their fifth seed.

Detroit in 7 games

Vancouver (3) vs. Los Angeles (6)

Vancouver has played strong all season led by the Sedin brothers who have had spectacular seasons. Backstopped by capable tender Roberto Luongo, the Canucks are a real full package. They’re a strong and gritty team that will be hard to beat, but that’s not to say it can’t be done. I’d give Vancouver the advantage in this series, but the Kings could make a splash in the playoffs if their goaltender Jonathan Quick plays lights out.

Vancouver in 6 games

Chicago (2) vs. Nashville (7)

Chicago fell one point short of the top seed in the West after being thwarted in an overtime thriller against the Red Wings in the last game of the season. Still, the hawks have gotten at least a point in their last seven games. They look very strong as Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews have posted career highs in plus minus and assists and Kane has a career high points total. Nashville has, however, made the season series interesting winning 2 of 6 contests. I may be biased, but this is my team and I can’t help but think this is our year.

Chicago in 5 games

Washington (1) vs. Montreal (8)

To be completely honest, I don’t know if anyone can stop the Caps, but if anyone can, it certainly won’t be Montreal. Washington won the East by almost 20 point and Norris Trophy candidate Mike Green has been on fire all season, not to mention the always-astounding play of Alexander Ovechkin, ever heard of him? The Caps should be upset if they have to play any more than four games this series. Sorry Habs, better luck next year.

Washington in 4 games

Pittsburgh (4) vs. Ottawa (5)

The Penguins enter the playoffs with the same seeding as last year when they won the cup. Will lucky number four work their magic again this year? Ottawa is determined that they do not and an upset is not out of the question with Penguin Goaltender Marc-Ande Fleury in a bit of a slide lately. Still, the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be hard to silence. The teams have split season series at 2-2, but realistically, I can’t see the mighty Pens going down as early as the first round, but expect a competitive series.

Pittsburgh in 6 games

Buffalo (3) vs. Boston (6)

This matchup is all about the men between the pipes. How much longer can the Sabers ride the best goalie in the world Ryan Miller? Miller has proven he can take a team deep into a tournament by standing on his head, but the NHL playoffs are much different than the Olympics. Meanwhile, Boston has won 4 of 6 tilts between the two teams in the regular season. Miller isn’t the only spectacular tender in the series either. Tuuka Rask was 4-1-0 vs. the Sabres this season with a measley 1.43 goals allowed average. This will shape up to be a very interesting series that will showcase some excellent goaltending.

Boston in 6 games

New Jersey (2) vs. Philadelphia (7)

The flyers are coming off of a huge shootout win vs. the Rangers in the last game of the season to clinch the final playoff spot, but it may as well have been a playoff game, the atmosphere in the building was incredible and the flyers played their hearts out. If the flyers can keep up that style of play they may have a chance vs. the Devils, but they’ll need to pull out all the stops. New Jersey has been a solid team all year playing in front of elite tender Martin Brodeur and I’ve got a feeling they’ll continue their winning ways against a team with a lot of heart, but not necessarily enough skill.

New Jersey in 6 games