This year's playoffs is going to be awesome! It's already intense and we are just a few games into the first round of the playoffs. So here are the first round matchups with my commentary:
East -
Montreal Vs. Boston
Boston has some serious injury problems right now and are playing rather shaky, while Montreal is on FIRE! They have their rookie goalie (Price) playing out of his mind and their offense is pouring it on strong. I'd say Montreal will win in 5.
New Jersey Vs. New York Rangers
Two teams I really don't care for either way, but the Rangers have been surprisingly playing better towards the end of the season, especially guys like Sean Avery. New Jersey is always a wild card with Brodeur in net and if Elias can pour on the offense, then it might be a long series, so I'm going to say NJ in 7.
Pittsburgh Vs. Ottawa
Talk about sweet revenge! Pittsburgh is playing the best all year with their entire team back in the action and looking strong, the key to success here will be having Gary Roberts back in the lineup, plus Malkin, Crosby, Hossa, Sykora and Malone all playing strong it's hard NOT to think that they will win in the East, Ottawa has too many injuries and an unstable netminder situation, Pittsburgh in 4!
Washington Vs. Philadelphia
Both teams were almost NOT in the playoffs just a few weeks prior to the opening round. Washington was out and Philly was on their way out of playoff contention, but they both ended up here and now it looks like Washington is turning up the heat big time with Huet in goal and Ovechkin putting pucks in the net every game, it's hard not to like them in this matchup against a struggling Philly defense. Washington in 6.
West -
Detroit Vs. Nashville
It's hard not to think that Detroit is going to win this series after having the year that they did in the regular season. Key to their success will be keeping Hasek healthy in net. Nashville is looking sharp too with Arnott and Dumont playing solid offense. Ultimately it will probably be a closer series than anticipated, but Detroit in 6 is my pick.
Anaheim Vs. Dallas
This is going to be an awesome series for sure as the 2007 Stanley Cup winners face up against a tough Dallas team. Having Selanne back in the action is definitely going to put experience in the Ducks corner again, but Dallas looks hungry this year. I'm going with Anaheim in 6.
San Jose Vs. Calgary
This is the wild card of the bunch as San Jose is coming off an imaculate year with Nabokov playing well and winning 46 games this year, Joe Thorton is also red hot, but Calgary is a tough and agressive team when they want to be and as long as the 'Kipper' stays red hot between the pipes, Calgary could make this a much longer series for the Sharks than they expected, but San Jose will probably get things under control and finish off the series in 7.
Minnesota Vs. Colorado
Experience will probably prove again here as Forsberg and Sakic should be able to lead the Avalanche over the Wild in this series, however, much of that will depend on Jose Theodore's netminding, but look for the Avalanche to crash in 5.
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