Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins vs WC 2 Detroit Red Wings
Few teams have the depth of the Boston Bruins, which lends to their stability every season and particularly each postseason. They are anchored in goaltending and have sufficient defensive depth to make another great playoff run. The Detroit Red Wings have done a remarkable job this year battling injuries, but they’re simply inferior to the Boston Bruins. You can never right off a team like Detroit that fought so hard this season, but this series is Boston’s to lose.
Bruins in five
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs 3. Montreal Canadiens
I like Ryan Callahan. For a while, he was the only New York Rangers player I could respect. Putting him on a team with Steven Stamkos makes the Lightning very exciting for me. Ben Bishop is a big, talented goalie. Still, this is a very difficult series to predict. Carey Price is capable of taking over a game, and the Habs are deep and fun. This is going to be a fun series, and while I think home ice will play a huge part in this one, I think experience and depth favors Montreal and I’m on the Habs.
Canadiens in six
Metropolitan Division
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs WC 1 Columbus Blue Jackets
I was impressed by how the Columbus Blue Jackets finished the year. With four games in five days to finish the season and my Devils closing in on them, they found a way to finish strong. They were sellers down the stretch and I don’t think they expected to have a run like this. That said, they draw the Pittsburgh Penguins and I don’t think they can compete. Pittsburgh, banged up as they are, has too much firepower offensively and should be able to control the puck and the pace against Columbus. Sergei Bobrovsky is absolutely capable of taking out the Penguins, particularly given Pittsburgh’s consistent struggles in the postseason, but I don’t think they match up well here.
Penguins in Six
- New York Rangers vs 3. Philadelphia Flyers
This one is hard for me. I hate the Philadelphia Flyers more than the Rangers… I think – but barely. I also distrust Henrik Lunqvist in the playoffs, though, and don’t feel all that comfortable supporting him here. The Rangers are the better team. They have a great, deep group of defensemen, sufficient scoring led by Rick Nash, and one of the best goalies in hockey. I think that’s too much for Philly, for all their defensive issues and inconsistency. I think they’ll take this one.
Rangers in Seven
Pacific Division
- Anaheim Ducks vs WC2. Dallas Stars
The Ducks were a pleasant surprise for most this year. I wasn’t surprised by their success, but I was certainly surprised by the magnitude of it. No Bobby Ryan, no problem. Goaltending issues down the stretch make them an interesting pick, but I think they’ll have no problem disposing of the Stars here.
Ducks in Four
- San Jose Sharks Vs LA Kings
This game is going to be a battle. I’m excited to see what happens when these two teams square off. The Sharks are tremendous at home, and the question for me here is whether the Kings can steal one in LA. I’m not sure they can. The Sharks have depth and scoring, while the Kings have defense and goaltending. I expect a battle. Niemi is no slouch, should be fun. I think this is going to be a doozy.
Sharks in seven
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche Vs WC1. Minnesota Wild
The Avalanche, don’t look now, are as hot as they come. If this game was played a month ago, I would have probably picked the Wild. Now, as well as Colorado is playing, I think you have to like their chances to sneak out of the first round against Parise and the rest of the Wild. I don’t, however, like their chances to move on beyond the battle royale between the Blues and Blackhawks.
Avalanche in Five
- St. Louis Blues vs 3. Chicago Blackhawks
I look at the Blackhawks the same way I look at the Boston Bruins. Depth, defense, and a winning tradition make them a stable pick to make the playoffs each year and achieve. The Blues are consistent and have built their franchise around goaltending and defense, and I think this rivalry is going to be incredibly intense. That said, I think the Blackhawks will find a way to win. The Blues lost a lot of steam down the stretch and seem poised for an early exit.
Blackhawks in Six
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