NHL Playoffs

The playoffs are here for the NHL.

So, who's going to the big dance?

Let's break it down with my predictions and what the odds makers predictions say.



Here we go, starting in the Eastern Conference:


#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

Washington. No question. With the high scoring Ovechkin backed by a powerful, surging goaltender in Theodore. Montreal doesn't really stand much of a chance, though the series in the regular season was pretty close. I say the Caps in five.



#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

The Devils should emerge victorious in this one. The reason they got Kovalchuk was to add needed speed. With him on the ice, they can go pretty deep in the playoffs because they know how to play without him. He is a bonus, not a cornerstone that has the team crumble with his absence. The Flyers have done well against the Devils in the regular season and they have the league's best power play, but they can't match up against 600 game winning tender Brodeur dispite Philly's own Boucher between the pipes. I expect it to go seven games, but New Jersey is the winner.



#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins

A battle of defenses. The rookie Myers on Buffalo versus the powerful Chara of Boston. I expect the upset. Boston rolls in five. Not a very exciting game to watch if you like red lights and horns.



#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators

Can you really go against the cry baby? I mean, we all loathe him, but Crosby is arguably the best in our time. He has a lot of support around him too and the team knows how to work together with him. Don't forget. They have Staal and Malkin too, forces to be reconned with by themselves. The only way Ottawa has a shot is if the Pens go into some sort of funk, which is possible. If you look at their record, they can go through them from time to time. I say Pens in six games. Six close games.




Now, let's have a look-see at the Western Conference:


#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche

These teams split their regular season series. The odd thing will be the goaltenders. San Jose's Nabokov has playoff experience, but has struggled recently giving up at least three goals on average. Anderson has stronger numbers of late, but zero playoff experience. I still have to go with the Sharks because of Heatley, Thornton and Marleau. The Avs are under a first year head coach with some promising rookie talent. Sharks in four, a clean sweep.



#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators

The starting tenders are the X-factor in this series too. Neither Niemi of Chicago or Rinne of the Preds have any playoff ice time at the NHL level. In fact, Niemi hasn't won a pro playoff series ever. Hossa is back in the playoff hunt. So, I guess we have to have him with Patrick Kane and Toews going to the finals and losing right? Remember, Marian Hossa lost as a Pengiun in 2008 to Detroit before losing as a Red Wing in 2009 against Pittsburgh. But, Chicago has some serious injuries too. Campbell namely. Also, a lot of Nashville's victories were just one goals, so they are used to pressure. I've still got to go with Chicago, but it will take all seven games.



#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings

Roberto Luongo is in the nets for the Canucks. Need I say more? The plus .500 tender recently won gold for Canada. He has struggled lately, but I think he will pull through. Now, Vancouver's defense is banged up, but they do have a team with a lot more playoff experience. Namely, we can say Daniel Sedin. A recent game (April 1) between the two teams had the Kings dominate 8-3, but Vancouver won the previous three. I don't expect much of a battle, but I could be wrong. The Kings are a good road team. Still, no upset here either. Canucks in six.



#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

The teams split their series during the regular season. However, I'm leaning towards the upset. Red Wings. Even though their difference maker is 40 years old, Nicklas Lidstrom is still a difference maker. The Coyotes have Captain Shane Doan, but not really a ton else outside the goaltender Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov is an MVP candidate. However, his opposition in the other net is Jimmy Howard, up for rookie of the year. Generally, I go against a rookie goaltender, but most of the rest of the Red Wings are the same team from the last several years. Stanley Cup Finals years. That has to count for something. I just don't see this as much of series, despite Phoenix's first appearance in the playoffs for eight years. Octopi in five.



What do I think will happen in the end?

Washington Capitals will battle the San Jose Sharks for Lord Stanley's Cup, and the Capitals will be victorious.

Normally, I like to go for some underdogs, but I really feel strongly about the Sharks and Capitals this year. I think they won their respective conferences for a reason. Don't get me wrong, an upset can be entertaining, but I just don't see it happening much this year. And trust me, I'll root and predict the underdog. Remember my Super Bowl XLIV pick? I'll probably do a similar comparison when the Finals teams are set.

The Capitals are too much of a force to be stopped. They have overcome a lot of different looks in the East, and I just don't think there's a Western team that can overtake them.

How do professional odd-makers see it when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup?

Washington 4:1
Chicago 5:1
San Jose 6:1
Pittsburgh 8:1
New Jersey 12:1
Vancouver 12:1
Detroit 15:1
Buffalo 20:1
Phoenix 25:1
Ottawa 30:1
Montreal 35:1
Los Angeles 40:1
Nashville 45:1
Philadelphia 50:1
Boston 60:1
Colorado 75:1

As you can see, I'm not too far off base compared to professionals. Although they seem to think it will be the Blackhawks against the Caps. We shall see.



Wanna watch any of this? Here's your schedule.

Wed 14
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM
Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM
Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Thu 15
Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM

Fri 16
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM
Nashville @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM
Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Sat 17
Boston @ Buffalo 1:00 PM
Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM

Sun 18
Phoenix @ Detroit 3:00 PM
New Jersey @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 6:30 PM
Nashville @ Chicago 8:30 PM
San Jose @ Colorado 9:30 PM

Mon 19
Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM
Vancouver @ Los Angeles 10:00 PM

Tue 20
Phoenix @ Detroit 6:30 PM
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
New Jersey @ Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Chicago @ Nashville 9:00 PM
San Jose @ Colorado 10:00 PM

Wed 21
Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM
Vancouver @ Los Angeles 10:00 PM

Thu 22
*Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
*Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Chicago @ Nashville 8:30 PM
*Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Fri 23
*Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
*Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
*Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
*Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM

Sat 24
*San Jose @ Colorado TBD
*Nashville @ Chicago 3:00 PM
*Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 7:00 PM

Sun 25
*New Jersey @ Philadelphia TBD
*Vancouver @ Los Angeles TBD
*Phoenix @ Detroit 2:00 PM

Mon 26
*Chicago @ Nashville TBD
*Colorado @ San Jose TBD
*Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
*Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM

Tue 27
*Los Angeles @ Vancouver TBD
*Detroit @ Phoenix TBD
*Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
*Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM

Wed 28
*Montreal @ Washington TBD
*Nashville @ Chicago TBD
*Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM

* = if necessary