Eastern Conference
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8. New York Islanders
Finally the Islanders have made the playoffs. It seems after years and years of high draft picks, they have finally paid off. Led by John Tavares, the Islanders are going to have a tough time in their return to the playoffs. The Penguins are led by their captain in Sidney Crosby but they also added a really good player at the trade deadline this year and honestly, nobody saw it coming. Who is this player? Jarome Iginla. He’s going to help this team in the playoffs and it would be no surprise if the Penguins won the whole Eastern Conference.
- Series: Penguins defeat the Islanders in 4 games.
2. Montreal Canadians vs. 7. Ottawa Senators
Did anybody honestly think the Canadians were going to be this good this year? It’s understandable that there was a shortened season and they could have had a late season collapse but the odds of that happening were unlikely. However, they’re in a tough spot against the Ottawa Senators in this opening round. The Canadiens were only four wins better than the Senators and I expect this series to be a physical one but I’m just having a hard time buying into the Senators’ defense and young goaltender,
- Series: Canadians defeat the Senators in 6 games
3. Washington Capitals vs. 6. New York Rangers
The Capitals are famous for being a really good regular season team… until the playoffs come around. Ovechkin is without question the Capitals’ best player but they can’t seem to find the right guy to compliment him. In the playoffs it’s hurt them every time and even in the regular season it hurt them against the Rangers since they didn’t beat them once this past year.
- Series: Rangers defeat the Capitals in 7 games
4. Boston Bruins vs. 5. Toronto Maple Leafs
I’m not sure if it’s because it’s an original six match-up or if I believe that these are the two best teams in the Eastern Conference aside from the Penguins. Both teams here are young and talented. The physical play of the Maple Leafs is something I definitely like for them to carry throughout the playoffs but the lack of experience for them will be the deciding factor. Most of the players on the Boston Bruins have won a Stanley Cup already and that should play into their favor going forward.
- Series: Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs in 6 games
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 6. New York Rangers
For the Rangers, they’re going to catch a bad break here facing the Penguins. I’m not saying the Penguins are unstoppable but trading away Marion Gaborik was idiotic by the Blue Shirts and I feel like they’ve left Rick Nash in a class by himself. The Penguins are far more better offensively and even defensively and I can’t see this series going longer than five games.
- Series: Penguins defeat the Rangers in 5 games
2.Montreal Canadiens vs. 4. Boston Bruins
Both teams tend to face one another in the playoffs and it always seems to get quite physical. Furthermore both teams have pretty good young scorers in Tyler Seguin (Boston) and Max Pacioretty (Montreal) but I do believe that Tuukka Rask will be the difference maker for the Bruins and possibly the whole playoffs.
- Series: Bruins defeat the Canadians in 6 games
Eastern Conference Finals
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Boston Bruins
The Penguins of course are the favorites but there’s something about Boston that’s pretty intriguing. It could be Rask or the fact that I believe Tyler Seguin could really establish himself as one of the best in the league. But then again there is Sid the Kid and everyone who follows behind him. Crosby leads in points but Chris Kunitz leads in goals. Having Jarome Ignla like I mentioned earlier, will be the difference maker in this series.
- Series: Penguins defeat the Bruins in 7 games
Western Conference
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 8. Minnesota Wild
Despite adding players like Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, the Minnesota Wild edged their way into the playoffs. As they’re all trying to get familiar with each others play, the Blackhawks are very familiar with one another as a number of the players currently on the team have already won a cup together.
- Series: Blackhawks defeat the Wild in 5 games
2. Anaheim Ducks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings
Starting the year the Ducks were off to a hot start but as the season progressed, they’ve died down a bit with their opponent in the Detroit finishing red hot having to essentially win out to make the playoffs. Despite not having home ice, the Red Wings will win this series simply because of their top lines, Jimmy Howard in net and their experience.
- Series: Red Wings defeat the Ducks in 6 games
3. Vancouver Canucks vs 6 San Jose Sharks
We see teams like the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference where they’re dangerous throughout the regular season but then when the playoffs come and they choke. In the west it’s very similar with the Canucks. Roberto Luongo is very much overrated and the scoring from the Sedins is slowly starting to fade. Sure the Sharks have a knack for choking as well but I’m going to say that Logan Couture and Joe Thornton come up big and propel San Jose to the next round.
- Series: Sharks defeat the Canucks in 7 games
4. St. Louis Blues vs. 5. Los Angeles Kings
Our Stanley Cup Champions didn’t win their division but they came close. Jeff Carter has been on a goal scoring tear this year with 26 goals while Anze Kopitar leads the team with 42 points. Meanwhile the Blues are a young, hungry team that could come as a surprise to the defending champs thanks to their really good penalty kill unit. The one thing I see hurting the Blues is their inexperienced goaltenders not being able to step up for them in these playoff games.
Series: Kings defeat the Blues in 6 games
Western Conference Semi-Final
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7 Detroit Red Wings
As a Red Wing fan I wasn’t expecting them to go far in these playoffs. Personally, I’m happy with a first round win and losing to the Blackhawks in the second round because honestly they’re the better team.
- Series: Blackhawks defeat the Red Wings in 5 games
5. Los Angeles Kings vs. 6. San Jose Sharks
The Battle of California should be the matchup everyone wants to see as this regular season series was tied at two games apiece. Whoever wants to win this series, will have to beat the other team by being more physical. Trying to play your normal pace of hockey won’t work. If there’s any team that can get more physical, I think it can be the San Jose Sharks thanks to guys like Joe Thornton who is your pace setter. Not only can he be the physical asset, he can be the goal scorer for you as well.
- Series: Sharks defeat the Kings in 7 games
Western Conference Finals
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 6 San Jose Sharks
Interesting to say the least, right? It’s hard to buy into the Blackhawks but the way Kane and Toews have carried themselves this year, it’s hard not to buy into them. I believe that the Sharks will hold their own, especially at home but there won’t be enough home games for them.
- Series: Blackhawks defeat the Sharks in 7 games
Stanley Cup Finals
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 1. Pittsburgh Penguins
As much as I dislike these two teams, mainly because I’m a native of the metro Detroit area, these were the two best teams in the league this past year and are more than likely on a collision course for the Stanley Cup. The difference makers for me in this series is again Jarome Iginla and Sidney Crosby who ultimately will trump Toews and Kane.
- Series: Penguins defeat the Blackhawks in 6 games