Round 1 predictions

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'm guessing there will be a game thing like last season, but until, post your precitions here.

Mine:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-1)

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (4-2)

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (4-0)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (2-4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-2)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (2-4)

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (3-4)

[FunkedUp 29]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Canadiens in 7

Caps in 6

Devils in 5

Flyers in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sharks in 6

Wings in 6

Canucks in 6

Flames in 6

Edited April 13, 2009 by FunkedUp

[ChitownWingsfan 54]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-1) - Bruins 4-1

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (4-2) - Caps 4- 0

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (4-0) - Canes 4-3

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (2-4) - Flyers - 4-2

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-2) - Sharks 4-3

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1) - Wings 4-2

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (2-4) - Blues 4-3

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (3-4) - Flames 4-3

Yes, I see a very competitive first round

Edited April 13, 2009 by ChitownWingsfan

[shadow47 1]

Was just working on a thread for this:

West

....

Detroit (2) vs. Columbus (7)

Could go either way. Unless Mason collapses CBJs have a real chance. Columbus, despite their good season, has done with a revolving cast of players. The Wings are the Wings. Questionable defense and one of the best offenses in the league. Good depth but will Hossa be effective? Good chemistry but is there the hunger? Columbus also dealt Detroit one of it’s most humiliating losses of the season and the crowd in Ohio will be electric for their club’s first ever appearance in the postseason and against their imagined “rival” the Wings. Perhaps this is where the rivalry begins.

Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-3

(Wings blow a one goal third period lead late in Game 7 and lose in overtime, you know you can see it, that Hitchcock and players jumping around like they won the Cup, Wings slumping face-down on the ice, etc.)

San Jose (1) vs. Anaheim (8)

The Sharks have a new coach, and a new attitude. Or do they? The question for me is health and the revolving fourth line that has thrown a haze of uncertainty over the club. Claude Lemieux did more hurt than help as a distraction and non-factor and the team’s heads may not be on straight at the most crucial time of the season, I think. Anaheim has nothing to lose and somehow made the playoffs despite the Kunitz and Moen trades. It would’ve been preferable to me to see the Wings try to get revenge on a cast that still includes most of the main cogs from the 2007 disappointment. That said, without a matchup against a team like the Wings with major consistency and goaltending questions, I can’t see the Ducks winning, particular with the depth SJ has.

Prediction: Sharks win 4-1

Vancouver (3) vs. St. Louis (6)

The Canucks finally have a real leader in Mats Sundin, and Mats is looking every bit as good as when he played for the Leafs (unlike a certain other Captain the Canucks plucked a few years ago, rhyming with Hessiay). The Sedin twins had twin 82-point-in-82-game seasons (what the hell) and Burrows, Demitra, and Kessler scored 28, 20, and 26 goals respectively. So unlike past playoffs, this club can score. And they managed to rip the division crown away from Calgary in the last month and a half of the season. And then there’s Luongo, one the best goalies in the league (if not THE best). All this against a St. Louis team that was in 15th in the West at the new year. How things change when you get rid of Manny Legace (ha, just kidding). Chris Mason has had some great regular seasons but hasn’t seen much playoff action, getting a quick hook against San Jose a few years ago. This year he finished the season going 18-6-3 down the stretch. Boyes and Tkachuk are capable scorers. But is it enough? I can’t help thinking about the Capitals from last year.

Prediction: Canucks win 4-2

Chicago (4) vs. Calgary (5)

It’s Chicago’s first dip in the playoffs in 7 years will be the first steps towards greatness for the Hawks mix of young talent. Calgary is headed in on a downward spiral, no one is sure why. Inconsistent defense, lack of chemistry, players tuning out Keenan...whatever the problem is, Calgary’s lackluster play cost them a division title (not that they mind given the matchups). Even though Khabibulin led the Lightning to a Cup recently, his play with the Hawks has been inconsistent with huge highs and probably slightly more lows...and he’s been nursing a lower body injury throughout the year. With Huet having a poor game and Khabby shutting out Detroit in the final games it’s likely he gets the start, but the Hawks will always be tempted with their two goalie rotation to start rotating. Calgary has tried everything, they’re going to desperate and perhaps that hopelessness will be just enough to unite the team after they were so good in the middle of the year.

Prediction: Flames win 4-3

West Finals: Vancouver beats San Jose 4-2

==========

East

.......

Boston (1) vs. Montreal (8)

Boston really lucked out getting Montreal instead of the Florida Panthers or Buffalo Sabres, who were revived with the return of team MVP Ryan Miller. Carey Price will no doubt be in goal for most of the Habs tilts but has been a leaky faucet all year with a penchant for, while perhaps not giving up a great amount of goals, giving up extremely weak goals at crucial moments. Tim Thomas on the other hand is on the short list for the Vezina. He was extremely inconsistent with great games and poor games in losing in seven to these same Canadiens last year. You can expect Tim to have a great series this time around. From starring at the All-Star game to leading the league in GAA and save percentage and far exceeding the performance of one Manny Fernandez, there should be no doubt The Little Engine That Could wants to prove he can deliver in the playoffs. The Bruins are just too good this year for the Canadiens to handle.

Prediction: Bruins win 4-0

Washington (2) vs. NY Rangers (7)

As usual the Caps are in the playoffs with Alex the Great leading a high-powered offense, yet the goaltending is again the question mark. Why this club didn’t pick up Nikolai Khabibulin or Dwayne Roloson somewhere along the way escapes me. Jose Theodore has shown he can have good stretches yet as shown last year against the Wings can collapse at anytime. Conversely, the Rangers know Lundqvist will be on every night, likely allowing no more than 3 goals. The trick for the Rangers, despite their talent, will be figuring out how to score more than 1 as the Rangers, remarkably, had the third worst offense in the league this season yet somehow made the playoffs. Sean Avery should help, he’s been their MVP since being acquired. I see the Rangers winning one of the first two in Washington...overall it’ll shake out largely the way of ‘08 for them.

Prediction: Rangers win 4-2

New Jersey (3) vs. Carolina (6)

The Devils seem back on their game after some years perceived out of the “favorite” spotlight. Brodeur and the Devils have had a few disappointing playoffs, of course in between these stretches of bad showings they usually win a Cup here or there. Marty has looked pretty great at times and got in around 30 games this year to his usual 75 or so, he should be rested so that excuse will not work if he goes in the can. Carolina has been red-hot lately looking like one of the top teams in the East, yet still managed to lose to Buffalo when it seemed the Sabres couldn’t buy a win. Parise is a bonafide superstar apparently and the Devs are as unstoppable as ever...so says Chico Resch. I can’t help thinking about how the Canes won in ‘06 though with Brodeur looking beatable and the Hurricanes manhandling the entire Devils team. If Pittsburgh had played the Devils I’d have had no problem picking Pittsburgh, but with this matchup to me it’s less defined. New Jersey always has trouble in first rounds.

Prediction: Devils win 4-3

Pittsburgh (4) vs. Philadelphia (5)

The defending Conference Champs (big woot) take on the team they beat for that title last year. The Flyers were hanging around the top five in scoring all year and had 4 thirty-goal-men. Biron has had a really good year but can anyone imagine Malkin/Crosby getting stoned by him in a series, as good as the Flyers offense has been? I don’t like this matchup one bit for the Flyers. Fleury has turned it on, in two days the Penguins completely rebuilt what was a tepid one line team and made themselves into a Cup threat. Ridiculous.

Prediction: Penguins win 4-1

East Finals: Penguins beat Bruins 4-3

STANLEY CUP FINALS: Vancouver Canucks beat Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 vanquishing the ghosts of ‘94

Edited April 13, 2009 by shadow47

[SuperNovaXll 124]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-2 Bruins)

I think the MTL is going to play hard. Dont wanna loose to an original 6 that easily

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (4-2)

Caps...too much power for a team that cant score.

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (2-4)

Canes have played very well as of late, and have gotten great goaltending. Since Marty broke the record he has played sub-par.

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (4-1)

Flyers havent done much as of late, and I think the Refs will give Cindy all the breaks.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-3)

I think...err...rather hope both teams will beat the crap out of each other.

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2)

LETS GO WINGS!!!

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (2-4)

For some reason I just think the Blues will win. Guess we will see.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (3-4)

Blackhawks super stars are too young and I think the Flames will push them around. Next year the Hawks might do some damage.

Just my two cents

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens - Boston in 4

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers - Washington in 5

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes - Carolina in 6

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers - Pittsburgh in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks - San Jose in 7

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit in 5

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues - Vancouver in 7

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames - Calgary in 7

[aflac9262 211]

Western Conference

#1 San Jose vs #8 Anaheim

Prediction: ANA wins 4-3

#2 Detroit vs #7 Columbus

Prediction: DET wins 4-2

#3 Vancouver vs #6 St. Louis

Prediction: VAN wins 4-2

#4 Chicago vs #5 Calgary

Prediction: CGY wins 4-2

Eastern Conference

#1 Boston vs #8 Montreal

Prediction: BOS wins 4-3

#2 Washington vs #7 New York

Prediction: WSH wins 4-1

#3 New Jersey vs #6 Carolina

Prediction: NJ wins 4-1

#4 Pittsburgh vs #5 Philadelphia

Prediction: PIT wins 4-2

[Yzersyukstromberg 0]

Here's my first round predictions:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (Bruins win series 4-1)

-Montreal seems overmatched in this series, and the second half of the season has been one to forget for the Habs. The Bruins have everything clicking right now, and should dispose of Montreal in short order.

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (Capitals win series 4-2)

-Rangers have a hard time scoring goals...and the Capitals don't.

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (Hurricanes win series 4-3)

-This is my Eastern upset special of the first round. The Hurricanes are smoking hot right now, while the Devils have stumbled down the stretch. This is going to be a long series, and something tells me that the 'Canes will come out on top, although it will likely take a toll on them moving toward the next round.

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (Penguins win series 4-3)

-The battle for Pennsylvania. Pens have the experience, and are a hot squad right now, but it will take the full seven games to move past a hungry Flyers squad.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (Ducks win series 4-3)

-My Western upset special. I hate the Sharks, and I want them to lose....that's my thinking here. Might be a bit of a stretch, but Anaheim has played some solid hockey down the homestretch, and with the addition of Beauchemin, this is a team to fear in the postseason.

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (Wings win series 4-2)

-The Wings will have their hands full with the Jackets, but in the end, playoff experience will win out and the Wings will advance to the next round of the playoffs.

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (Canucks win series 4-3)

-The Blues are riding high on emotion after an amazing second half of the season. One has to wonder, though, when will the tank run dry? Something tells me that Cinderella's glass slipper falls off here, but it'll be an exciting series to say the least.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (Blackhawks win series 4-2)

-The Hawks have owned the Flames this season, and have found their game again late in the season. The Flames, on the other hand, have 'flamed out' of late, and should be ripe for the picking.

[stactum 4]

EAST

Bruins in 7

Caps in 5

Canes in 6

Pens in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sharks in 6

Wings in 6

Canucks in 6

Hawks in 6

For some reason I see not a lot of people give enough credit to Hawks here, they are a very solid team with good defense, good offense, I know they all inexperienced, but hell, they have goaltender who won the cup a few years back. Khabi is capable of winning a series on his own. They manhandled Flames during regular season (4-0) so I think hawks will win it.

[evilmrt 636]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-2)

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (4-2)

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (4-1)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (4-3)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-3)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (4-1)

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (3-4)

I don't anticipate any sweeps here at all. I also Think the Boston/Montreal series will be pretty entertaining, as will Pens/Flyers, and Sharks/Ducks. Teams most likely to get swept are the Blues and the Canes. The battle of California will be hard fought, and the Sharks will come out on top, but severely banged up.

[Mike 0]

Look at these predictions from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. I think he might be a little crazy.

Western Conference

No. 1 seed San Jose vs. No. 8 Anaheim: Don't know if the team with the league's best record can finish the deal but winning the Cup, but they take care of the Ducks here in five.

No. 2 Detroit vs. No. 7 Columbus: Jackets just happy to be here in the franchise's first playoff appearance. Detroit in five.

No. 3 Vancouver vs. No. 6 St. Louis: Blues were one of the best teams in the league down the stretch. They got a huge break by finishing sixth on the last day of the season. A matchup against No. 1 San Jose or No. 2 Detroit would have been a killer. Blues carry over regular-season momentum. St. Louis in six.

No. 4 Chicago vs. No. 5 Calgary: Hawks are too young to make a run. Calgary is the most anonymous NHL team, but is good enough to reach the Cup finals. Calgary in six.

Western Conference semis

No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 6 St. Louis: Blues hit their emotional wall. San Jose has too much of everything. Sharks in six.

No. 2 Detroit vs. No. 5 Calgary: Wings goaltending inconsistencies show up. Flames in seven.

Western Conference finals

No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 5 Calgary: These teams have a colorful playoff history. This will be the fourth meeting since 1995. San Jose leads 2-1. Just a hunch but Mikka Kiprusoff steals this one for the Flames. Calgary in seven.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 seed Boston vs. No. 8 Montreal: A bitter rivalry is renewed. Habs slumped badly in the second half. Boston should have no problem winning in five.

No. 2 Washington vs. No. 7 New York Rangers: Caps are Eastern Conference's team of destiny with all that scoring. Caps in five.

No. 3 New Jersey vs. No. 6 Carolina: Devils can't turn on the switch after a late-season slump. The Canes have that Cup look about them again. Carolina in seven.

No. 4 Pittsburgh vs. No. 5 Philadelphia: Ever see "Gladiator"? This isn't a loser-leave-the-state series. This is a loser dies series. Slight edge to Flyers if they can corral the big two (Crosby and Malkin). Philly in six.

Eastern Conference semis

No. 1 Boston vs. No. 6 Carolina: In what might be the best series of the playoffs, the hits and goals just keep on coming. It's run-and-gun for six games with Boston winning a bitter battle.

No. 2 Washington vs. No. 5 Philadelphia: Philly stopped the No. 2 and No. 3 best players in the NHL in the first round. It can't stop No. 1 (Ovechkin). Washington's scoring balance is too much. Caps in seven.

Eastern Conference finals

No. 1 Boston vs. No. 2 Washington: I picked an upset in the West. Might as well stay consistent. Caps outscore the Bruins in a highly entertaining series to get to their second Cup final. Washington in seven.

Stanley Cup finals

Washington vs. Calgary: Not exactly a ratings winner for the networks, but who cares? Ovechkin vs. Iginla. Green vs. Phaneuf. The teams met only once during the season but the hate will build up quickly. On the 20th anniversary of last Cup, the Flames grind it out in six.

CBS Sports

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

lol @ CBS sports

That'd be the worst cup finals in history, not to mention both teams suck.

My predictions for the first round

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-0)

- Montreals a joke, Lucic is gonna feed all over them

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (2-4)

- Lundqvist and Avery are too much for the Caps to handle

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (3-4)

- Marty puts on a show but MVP Ward stimeys the Devs

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (2-4)

- Mike Richards. Nuff Said.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-2)

- They just kick the ever loving s*** out of each other, San Jose beats the one line team

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1)

- Mason crumbles, Nash stumbles, Wings win

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (4-0)

- Luongo beats the magical team

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (4-1)

- Calgary have too many injuries, despite Chicagos inexperience

[Nightfall 871]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens - Boston in 5

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers - Caps in 6

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes - Canes in 6 (one of two upsets I am predicting)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers - Pens in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks - Ducks in 6 (This is a bold move, but I am going to predict that the Sharks flame out in the first round)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit in 6

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues - Vancouver in 6

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames - Flames in 6

[scotvm 0]

just wanted to say that whoever ran the contest last playoffs needs to do it again because they did a fantastic job

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (4-2)

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (4-0)

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (4-1)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (4-3)

Boston - Philly - in 6

Caps - Devils - in 4

Devils - Philly - in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (4-2)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (4-3)

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (4-3)

Wings - Ducks - In 5

Canucks - Flames - In 6

Wings - Flames - In 6

I think in the East there is only 2 series i'll be watching.. BOS/MTL and PIT/PHL. I hate watching NY mostly because of NY's home arena is annoying and i overall just hate the Rangers.. But it'll be fun to see Avery going hard against Ovechkin.. You know its bound to happen.. Devils/Canes will be horribly boring.. Boston Series and Flyers series, will be great.. both big rivalry games.. Im mostly looking for ward to Pits and Philly.. Thats the series i'll be tracking even more then the wings.

In the west, it could of only gotten better if Calgary played Columbus.. But i'll settle with what we got. San Jose and Anaheim will be good fun. Wonder if Anaheim is kicking themselves for trading Moen to them? Im predicting the upset there though. Nabakov is playoff suspect. Semenov/Murray on your D? and Claude Lemuixe on your fourth line? GTFOH. Detroit and Columbus should be good fun.. Raffi Torres and Jared Boll and Mike Commodore will make it entertaining.. But im scared of Mason.. I'd of rather faced JS. Vancouver and Blues, are splitting images of eachother except Vancouver has better goaltending.. BUT.. Blues are coming in red-hot.. I'll say Nucks in 7.. Calgary was swept by the Hawks in regular season.. BUT.. Playoffs is Flames hockey.. and the hawks are still young and in-experienced.

The Prediction is.. FLYERS VERSUS RED WINGS in the stanley cup finals

[shadow47 1]

People bashing the poor CBS guy but their predictions are mostly the same or just as outlandish and no one's got the guts to pick the Conference and Cup picks either. Let's see some full playoff predictions if you're doing first round might as well say who's going to come out of it then.

Nightfall: there's always one big upset it seems in the first round, so you're likely spot on it's going to be one of them.

Edited April 13, 2009 by shadow47

[GORM19 0]

ducks in 6

wings in 6

blues in 7

hawks in 6

bos in 5

rangers in 7

nj in 6

phi in 6

[Duck Guy 86]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens Bruins in 4

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers WSH. in 5

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes NJD in 6

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks ANA in 5 yep I said ANA in 5

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets Wings in 5

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues Nucks in 5

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames Flames in 7

EDIT: Cleaned it up a little

Edited April 13, 2009 by Duck Guy

[The Mule 0]

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL

Boston Bruins over Montreal Canadiens in 6

Washington Capitals over New York Rangers in 6

Carolina Hurricanes over New Jersey Devils in 7

Pittsburgh Penguins over Philadelphia Flyers in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINAL

San Jose Sharks over Anaheim Ducks in 5

Detroit Red Wings over Columbus Blue Jackets in 6

St. Louis Blues over Vancouver Canucks in 6

Chicago Blackhawks over Calgary Flames in 7

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINAL

Boston Bruins over Carolina Hurricanes in 6

Pittsburgh Penguins over Washington Capitals in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINAL

San Jose Sharks over St. Louis Blues in 6

Detroit Red Wings over Chicago Blackhawks in 5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Boston Bruins over Pittsburgh Penguins in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Detroit Red Wings over San Jose Sharks in 6

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Detroit Red Wings over Boston Bruins in 6

[MannyK 16]

#1 Boston in 6

#2 Washinton in 5

#3 New Jersey in 5

#5 Philadelphia in 6

---------------------------

#1 San Jose in 6

#2 Detroit in 6

#3 Vancouver in 6

#5 Calgary in 7

[Yzerman191 37]

San Jose over Anaheim in six - as much as I'd love to see the 'Ducks come out on top, I just don't think it's going to happen. Either way, it's win-win. I hate the Ducks and I hate the Sharks. Interesting statistic here though: since the All-Star Break, 28th place Colorado has 49 even strength goals, 26th place Los Angeles has 52 even strength goals, and President's Trophy winning San Jose has 53. Shut down their powerplay and the Ducks might have what it takes.

Detroit over Columbus in six - this one is completely up to the 'Wings. We split the season series 3-3, but honestly I think this team just has too much talent to lose to such an inexperienced team.

Vancouver over St. Louis in five - people underestimate Luongo's effect on his team's post season chances. I'm not sure how many people realize this, but at Luongo's age, Brodeur had a similar amount of shutouts behind one of the best teams in recent years. St. Louis may take their foot off the gas now that they made the playoffs.

Chicago over Calgary in six.

EAST:

Boston over Montreal - no brainer. There's something wrong in Montreal, and everything is going right this season for the Bruins.

Washington over the Rangers.

New Jersey Devils over Carolina Hurricanes in six - this one may turn out to be the battle of the goaltenders. Cam Ward has been on fire over the last few months, and Brodeur has been his usual self. Overall, the Devils will be too much for the 'Canes.

Pittsburgh over the Flyers in five - For the most part I think the Penguins aren't getting the credit they deserve here. They've got a legitimate chance at returning to the finals since Crosby's line has been on fire and Malkin has been his usual self. Also, Fleury demonstrated that he is capable of handling the post-season pressure in last year's playoffs.

[Reds4Life 51]

East

Boston(1) vs Montreal(8) - Bruins win 4-1

Boston is much better team, no contest.

Washington(2) vs New York Rangers(7) - Rangers win 4-2

Lundqvist is much better than Theodore and Rags can trap Caps to death.

New Jersey(3) vs Carolina (6) - Devils win 4-2

I expect close series, but Devils are just better.

Pittsburgh(4) vs Philadelphia(5) - Flyers win 4-1

Flyers have depth, Penguins do not.

West

San Jose(1) vs Anaheim(8) - Sharks win 4-3

Physical series, Ducks will take out some Sharks.

Detroit(2) vs Columbus(7) - Wings win 4-1

Wings are much better team, no contest.

Vancouver(3) vs St. Louis(6) - Blues win 4-2

Blues are playing incredible hockey, I hope they beat the Nucks.

Chicago(4) vs Calgary(5) - Blackhawks win 4-2

Hawks own the Flames and the great Captain Iginla will see yet another 1st round exit

Edited April 13, 2009 by Reds4Life

[puckbags 863]

Boston in 5 - Too skilled..too big...

Washington in 5 - OV will abuse the Rangers

Carolina in 7 - This could be the best series of the playoffs

Pittburgh in 7 - Penguins continue their good play

San Jose in 4 - Shut down Perry, Getz, Ryan and the series is over

Detroit in 5 - The veteran, experienced, hard working Wing's show up !!

Vancouver in 5 - Bobby Lou slams the door shut.

Calgary in 7 - Could be a beauty of a series !!

Boston over Carolina in 7 - Low scoring series

Washington over Pitt in 7 - Wow...should be fun

SJ over Calgary in 5 - Sharks just too much for Calgary

Detroit over Vancouver in 7 - Bobby Lou gets shelled !!

Washington over Boston in 7 - Chara and Ov wage war on each other !!

Detroit over SJ in 6 - SJ comes up short again !!

Detroit over Washington in 5 - Lids is the only one who can stop #8

We win ...end of story ..everyone lives happily ever after...Hossa signs on the cheap, Holland gets under the cap and we go for the 3 peat next year !!

[Grypho 195]

I'm going out on a limb and predicting three sweeps in the first round.

WEST

Sharks in 5

Anaheim seriously lacks depth now, and desperately needs to shake the Sharks discipline right from the start. They will have no choice but to result to goonery to try to shake things up. This will cause them to be repeatedly and heavily penalized, as the San Jose powerplay kicks in and decides the entire series. If the refs put their whistles in their pockets, it will be Sharks in 6, but there's no way this will go 7. That's wishful thinking on the parts of those who want to see a tired battered team come out of this.

Wings in 4

Despite Columbus' ascension, I do not think this could go either way. Columbus does not yet know what "this is not the regular season" means, nor are they a team that is up to the task of upsetting a well seasoned and disciplined veteran team during their playoff debut. There will be an upset, but not from the upstart team, as some are predicting. I predict that it will go the other way. The Wings goaltending will tighten up, even to the surprise of many worried Wings fans, right from the jump, which will give a huge boost of confidence to both the offense and defense -- all of which equates to momentum. Columbus won't be able to recover.

Blues in 4

St. Louis momentum does carry forward through the first round, as many are predicting. All low scoring games, though, but with St. Louis on top of every one of them. Nucks out.

Blackhawks in 6

Calgary is unable to shake the doldrums, unable to get it together. They are no match for Chicago, who will be on a high after finding powerful playoff legs for the first time in years. Nothing the flames can to will break their rhythm, and the Blackhawks will be sending out victory smoke signals to the rest of the league after dousing the Flames.

EAST

Bruins in 4

Yeah. Like the Canadiens had a chance in hell.

Rangers in 7

Grueling, grinding, terrible train wreck of a series. The Rangers, too dumb to know that they shouldn't even be in the playoffs, manage to limp into the next round by the same virtue that got them here in the first place. Sheer tenacity, and some lucky bounces, decides it in 7.

Hurricanes in 7

About evenly matched, with both teams seeing a chance to get back into the SCF spotlight. These truly are the teams that are going to pound the crap out of each other.

Penguins in 5

Trading victories, yin and yang, it's the Pen's turn, and they're taking it. Hard fought, but decisive.

STANLEY CUP FINALS: (here's where I step out of homer mode completely, resist the urge to hurl, and go WAY out on a hunch limb):

Bruins over the Blackhawks in 6

[Probie 7]

Here are my official picks:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens ->Bruins (4-2)

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers -> Caps (4-1)

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes -> Devils (4-2)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers -> Penguins (4-3)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks -> Sharks (4-2)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets -> Wings (4-2)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues -> Canucks (4-2)

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames -> Hawks (4-2)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll reserve the right to change my 2nd round picks after seeing the first complete, but if i had to guess who wins my fictional second round, it would go like this:

Sharks vs Hawks (Sharkies 4-2)

Wings vs Nucks (Wings 4-3)

Bruins vs Pens (Bruins 4-3)

Caps vs Devils (Caps 4-3)