NHL Stanley Cup Play Off Predictions

The chase for Lord Stanley's Cup begins this week. 16 NHL teams square off for the honor of hoisting the famous mug at center ice.
Here are my predictions for the first round in that Battle Royale.


EASTERN CONFERENCE
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(1) MONTREAL CANADIENS vs (8) BOSTON BRUINS
Regular Season Series Winner...Montreal 8-0
The Boston Bruins make it to the playoff dance for the first time in 4 years an achievement all its own for the Bruins who dealt with injuries to all its key players more notably Patrice Bergeron.
Boston won't have much time to enjoy their playoff taste as the square off against Arch Rival
Montreal Canadiens who beat them during the regular season to the tune of 8 wins to nothing.
In this series I think Boston will win at least one game then pack it in for the summer.

Winner...MONTREAL CANADIENS in 5

(2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs (7) OTTAWA SENATORS
Regular SEason Series : Ottawa 3-1
Ottawa's playoff chances sunk like a rock when key offensive stars Alfredsson and Fisher were hit with injuries last week. I like Pittsburgh and want to see Crosby/Malkin take on Ovechkin for the Eastern Conference title.

Winner......PITTSBURGH PENGUINS in 4

(3) WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs (6) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Regular Season Series: Tied 2-2
Every hockey fan except those in Philly are pulling for the Caps Alex Ovechkin to prevail in this big series. I am too-but will it be enough?

Winner: WASHINGTON CAPITALS in 7

(4) NEW JERSEY DEVILS vs (5) NY RANGERS
Regular Season Series... NY Rangers 7-1
I like the Rangers here folks. The Rangers offense is starting to heat up at the right time.

Winner.....NY RANGERS in 6


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WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1)DETROIT RED WINGS vs (8)NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Regular Season Series......Red Wings 5-3
Red Wings are firing on all cylinders as they secured the Presidents Cup last week.
Look for the spoked Wings to roll over the Preds in the first round.

Winner...DETROIT RED WINGS in 4

(2) SAN JOSE SHARKS vs (7) CALGARY FLAMES
Regular Season Series...Calgary 3-1
This is the best series to watch in the Western Conference and it will be a helluva battle.
I like the Sharks here.

Winner....SAN JOSE SHARKS in 7

(3) MINNESOTA WILD vs (6) COLORADO AVALANCHE
Regular Season Series...Minnesota 5-3
The return of Peter Forsberg to the Avalanche give Colorado a team that has a better chance to win a Championship than its Colorado Rockies who were swept by the Red Sox in the World Series...

Winner... COLORADO AVALANCHE in 6

(4)ANAHEIM DUCKS vs (5) DALLAS STARS
Regular Season Series -Dallas 5-3
Anaheim like Colorado was another team bolstered by the return of veteran players (Neidermeyer and Teemu Sellanne).

Winner....ANAHEIM DUCKS in 6