(1) Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens — There’s really nothing better than the same exact playoff matchup from last season, just with a reversal of which team is the No. 1 seed. Boston has had Montreal’s number all season. Even with recent minor injuries to several players, the Bruins will skate all over the lesser Canadiens. So much for the centennial season, eh Montreal?
Prediction: Boston, 4-1.
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (7) New York Rangers — The Caps have been sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference all season thanks to the likes of Alex Ovechkin and soon-to-be Norris Trophy-winner Mike Green. If Sean Avery tries to put his stick in front of Ovechkin’s face, Ovechkin will run him into the ice just as he has 243 other victims this season.
Prediction: Washington, 4-2.
(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes — Cam Ward has been the hottest goalie in the NHL over the last month of the season and Martin Brodeur has been the hottest goalie over the last 15 seasons. Ward’s numbers are as follows: .916 save percentage, 2.44 goals-against average, six shutouts. Brodeur’s numbers are as follows: .916 save percentage, 2.42 goals-against average, five shutouts. When it comes to the playoffs, there’s no player more trustworthy than Marty.
Prediction: New Jersey, 4-3.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers — This is a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Final in the first round. The combination of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby obviously poses a huge problem for the Flyers, but the combination of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Daniel Briere, Simon Gagne and Scott Hartnell posses a bigger problem for Pittsburgh. However, the Penguins are 18-3-4 under head coach Dan Bylsma and are unbelievably hot right now.
Prediction: Pittsburgh, 4-3.
Western Conference
(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks — The Sharks are hoping that their franchise-best season will eventually end with a Stanley Cup, but the NHL’s top team is going to have their hands full in the first round. The Ducks have gone 10-2-1 in their last 13 games and would like nothing more than to knock off the league’s best team. However, it looks like Anaheim will be starting Jonas Hiller in net over former Conn Smythe-winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Hiller is going to have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and if he gets into trouble, it might be too late for Giguere to bail him out.
Prediction: San Jose, 4-3.
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs. (7) Columbus Blue Jackets — The goalie situation in Detroit appears to be a problem, but looks can be deceiving. Let’s not forget how well Chris Osgood did in net last postseason for the Wings (14-4 with a 1.55 goals-against average). Rookie-goalie Steve Mason and the Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to impress in their first ever playoff appearance, and the task ahead will be a tough one.
Prediction: Detroit, 4-2.
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) St. Louis Blues — This series has a tremendous amount of potential. It looked like the Blues had no chance to make the playoffs midway through the season, but a 21-7-6 finish behind the strong play of goalie Chris Mason put St. Louis in a great position. But if any goalie can out-duel Mason, it’s Roberto Luongo, who had another phenomenal season in Vancouver.
Predicition: Vancouver, 4-3.
(4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Calgary Flames — Adding Olli Jokinen was a great move for the Flames … or was it? The Flames have gone 8-11 with Jokinen on the roster, and he’s gone cold with just three points in his last 11 games. The Chicago Blackhawks, on the other hand, have gone 9-2-1 in their last 12 games and captain Jonathan Toews has been stellar in the second half of the season.
Prediction: Chicago, 4-2.