NHL Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

Well, I posted them just about anywhere else, so here goes...

Added bonus for my own blog: I'll add the reasoning behind my picks.


Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers:

The Rangers have had the Caps' number all year, and they have Henrik Lundqvist in nets to counter the Caps' 3 rookie goalies. All they need is for Marian Gaborik to wake up - and I believe he will. However, those who think Alexander Ovechkin has ''yet to prove anything'' in the playoffs, keep in mind he has 40 career points in 25 or so games... he's fully capable of taking over a series by himself if need be.

Rangers in 7

Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres

Sure, the Sabres have Ryan Miller - one of the 5 best goalies in the world for the last 5 years - in nets, but the heart and soul of their offense, Derek Roy, is injured for the long term. The Flyers may not have a clear #1 goalie, but they've proven last season that their depth both at forward and defense is more than enough to make it to the Finals. Chris Pronger may miss the first few games, so the Sabres may get an extra win out of this.

Flyers in 6

Boston Bruins vs Montréal Canadiens

This one's a ''gimme''. They've faced each other 32 times already in the post season, with the Bruins barely winning 8 times. It doesn't matter who plays for which team, when it comes to playoff hockey, the Bs just can't get over the ghosts of the past. The Habs will win easily and people will undoubtedly claim an undeserving Carey Price will have been the reason, when it will just be history repeating itself. Watch for Price to fail in the second or third round, against a team like the Flyers. Oh, and Price's vis-à-vis, Tim Thomas, always sucks against Montréal.

Habs in 5

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Pens have re-invented themselves as a hard-working, blue-collar team of grinders with a star goalie (Marc-André Fleury), and they've had a great run to finish the season, beating teams that were out of contention. But in these playoffs, they're facing Tampa's run-and-gun offense and dangerous powerplay, and it'll prove too much to handle. Watch for Dwayne Roloson, Tampa's grandfather-esque netminder, to shine under pressure.

Bolts in 7

Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks

Sure, the Canucks would rather have faced just about anyone else, but this isn't the Hawks team of seasons past. Their goaltending might have improved with rookie Corey Crawford, but the depth up-front is long gone, especially the grit Dustin Byfuglien brought to the table. Jonathan Toews will perhaps steal a game or two, but the Canucks just have too much firepower to go along with the best defense in the league. If 40+-goal man Ryan Kessler gets shut down, 35+-goal man Alexandre Burrows can take over in a snap on the Sedin twins' line. And I didn't even mention Roberto Luongo or the best shut-down third line in the game.

Canucks in 6

Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks

Sure, the Sharks are chokers and will choke again, but this Kings team has too many injuries, and the one to Anze Kopitar, especially, is one that'll prove too difficult to get over. Jonathan Quick should help Drew Doughty steal a game, maybe two, but the Kings have pea shooters that will be overwhelmed by the Sharks' second and third lines, while the first (Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley) will continue to not score.

Sharks in 5

Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes

Just like the former incarnation of their team (Winnipeg Jets), the Coyotes have the bad luck of always facing the best-balanced team in the game, with perhaps its best player (Pavel Datsyuk). And don't forget Nicklas Lidstrom, who is looking to retire on a high note with a Norris trophy, and perhaps a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe.

Wings in 5

Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks

So these two teams ended up with the exact same number of points in the regular season, but one is a lot more seasoned in the playoffs (Ducks) while the other's best offensive player, Steve Sullivan - not even close to a point-per-game player - is out with an injury. I expect Pekka Rinne to steal a couple of games for the Preds with the help of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, but I also expect this series to be Ray Emery's coming-out party for the Ducks. Also, a lot of so-called ''experts'' are all about 50-goal man Corey Perry in this series, forgetting that in the playoffs, where the checking is much tighter, the second-liners usually make the difference - and I think Saku Koivu an Teemu Selanne will do just that.

Ducks in 7