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#4 Ducks vs. #5 Preds
Yeah, yeah it's out of order but I'm going with my team first! This is the highest seed the Preds have ever been blessed with, and everyone keeps saying this could be our year to make it to the second round. My head tells me otherwise, but my heart and gut are telling me it's go time! On the one hand, we've owned the Ducks this season. On the other hand, we are notorious for first round flops. On the other, other hand the Ducks' staring goalie, for all intents and purposes is Dan "It's all in my Head" Ellis. The Preds haven't been scoring much this season, but when they do, it's a group effort. The Ducks have one solid scoring line. However, they don't need much more when the Rocket Trophy winner is on their team...plus my favorite sleazy-moustache sportin' player Teemu Selanne. Used to be Johan Franzen I feared when it came to one-man Preds killing ability (to get the puck in the net) but the past two years, it's been Selanne. I expect the Preds to put up a fight, and I expect the Ducks to fight back even harder. But if we can control Perry and Selanne, I think we have this one.
Verdict: Preds in 6
#1 Capitals vs. #8 Rangers
This series scares me. The Rangers had the Caps' number all season long, but most of the times they played were during the Caps' dark days of rebuilding. The Caps need this. The Caps want this. I expect this to be gritty and dirty. I don't have much faith in the Caps' goaltending. But I do have faith that my boys can finally bring it home. The Caps aren't known for wrapping it up early, though. I fully expect this to go the full seven games.
Verdict: Caps in 7
#1 Canucks vs. #8 Blackhawks
I've said more than once that if one team had a chance of unseating Vancouver it would be Chicago. I also didn't expect Chicago to squeak in by the seat of their pants. In the end, Chicago is not the same team they were last year, and Vancouver is hungry. Deflate Towes and you deflate the entire team. Despite all the injuries, Vancouver is a scoring powerhouse that isn't lacking on defense either.
Verdict: Canucks in 6
#2 Sharks vs. #7 Kings
They split the season series 3-3, with two of San Jose's losses coming in the shootout. What appears at first blush to be a difficult one to call seems pretty clear to me. The Kings just don't have it. I don't see much different in them this post-season over last post-season when everyone had them pegged to go deep. Except they are missing their leading scorer and haven't had time to adapt. San Jose becomes a different team in the Playoffs, and although I don't think they'll go all the way this year (again), I do think they will plow through the Kings with relative ease.
Verdict: Sharks in 6
#3 Wings vs. #6 Coyotes
Yeah, the Coyotes gave the Wings a run for their money last year, but I don't think this Phoenix team has as much heart. The Wings have a little weakness in net, but they are a Playoff Machine. Expect the Wings to want some revenge over last year's near embarrassment. Once the Wings turn it on, it's over.
Verdict: Wings in 5
#2 Flyers vs. #7 Sabres
Everyone thought the Flyers were the team to beat, but they lost quite a bit of steam as the season came to a close. I'm not sure they can get it back, especially facing a team as hot and desperate as Buffalo. This one will be a battle of wills between the goaltenders, but I think Philly is going to pull out the mother of all disappointments, even though they will take it to the wire as usual.
Verdict: Sabres in 7
#3 Bruins vs. #6 Canadiens
Due to the history of this regular season series between these two it has the potential to be the hottest match-up overall. I just have a feeling that it will not meet those expectations and will fizzle out after the first game. Boston is likely to underestimate Montreal after the total beat-down they put on them in the last game of the season series. Montreal has a major chip on their shoulder, and has lots to prove. The Caps greatly underestimated them last season at their peril. Price and Thomas will be the stars of the series, but without team support Thomas will, unfortunately, lose this battle. Price seems to do best when unsupported by his teammates. The longer the series drags on the more it favors the Habs.
Verdict: Habs in 7
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Lightning
Unfortunately, this one isn't hard to decide. The Lightning just don't have what it takes. They looked good early on, but lost traction. Stamkos will probably not wake up in time to help his team. Pittsburgh is on a Mission from God, and vastly outscored Tampa in the regular season.
Verdict: Shittsburgh in 5
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