The Road To The Cup Begins

Get ready for what should be a great two months of hockey as the Stanley Cup playoffs open tonight. As always, there will be twists and turns as 16 teams race for 16 wins and the chance to get their hands on the best trophy in sports today.
The first round is always perhaps the most entertaining and with so many teams that can call themselves legitimate Cup contenders this year, it should be no different this time around. What does the old crystal ball tell me? Here ya go.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1)Washington vs 8) Montreal

The Capitals were the best team in the NHL. They have the league's best player in Alex Ovechkin. His supporting cast isn't bad either. The Capitals should have no problem disposing of Montreal. I give the Habs one game because Jaroslav Halak should be able to stone that potent Washington offence for at least one contest. Caps in 5

2)New Jersey vs 7)Philadelphia

Upset city baby! The Flyers won five of six games against the Devils this season. With the exception of goaltending, I think Philly has a better team. I'm going to take the Flyers to win this one in 7

3)Buffalo vs 6) Boston

Its the series where the first team to two could very well win. Ryan Miller and Tuukka Rask will be the story of this matchup. Don't forget this is a Boston team that was near the top of the standings last year and there wasn't a lot of wholesale change. I can't see the Bruins beating the Sabres, but I see them giving them a good battle. I'll take Buffalo in 6

4)Pittsburgh vs 5) Ottawa

Can Sid and company successfully defend the Stanley Cup? Many believe they can and with good reason. Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Gonchar, etc, etc have been through this dance before and they know what it takes to win. Losing Kovalev really hurts for Ottawa as a major part of their offence will not be around. If Ottawa is to win this series, Pascal Leclair and/or Brian Elliott will have to stand on their head. Penguins in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1)San Jose vs 8)Colorado

Is there any team under more pressure to get the job done this year than the Sharks? This chronic group of underachievers must get it done this year or else its expected there will be a giant KABOOM in the off-season. Is this team any better than last year's team? Yeah, they added Dany Heatley, but is he the type of leader to get this team over the top. When the pressure was on in Vancouver, where were Heatley, Thornton and Marleau? This young, plucky Colorado team led by youngsters like Matt Duchene and Chris Stewart and the old guy-Milan Hejduk. Colorado isn't going to make life easy for the Sharks. In fact, I am going to take Colorado to win this series in 6. I am not 100 percent confident in that, but if the Avs should steal Game 1, that pressure will really become immense and perhaps too much for the Sharks to take.

2)Chicago vs 7)Nashville

The Hawks have the better team here. The only place where I may give Nashville the edge is in net where Pekka Rinne has outperformed both Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet. The Hawks are going to come at the Predators in waves with Toews, Kane, Sharp, Brouwer, etc, etc. That Predator defence core led by Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis have quite a job in front of them. This will be a physical series and this will be an entertaining series. I go with the Hawks in 6.

3)Vancouver vs 6) LA

The Kings had a great regular season. Perhaps their best since getting to the Cup finals. With guys like Kopitar and Doughty, this is a team to watch in the future. Vancouver has had playoff misery in the past, but they have found a way to get through the first round. They will do that this year and they shouldn't have a major problem unless Jon Quick outperforms Roberto Luongo and I don't see that happening. Canucks in 5

4)Phoenix vs 5) Detroit

The Coyotes had their best year ever. People are excited for hockey in the desert. Yeah, OK! The Wings showed us after the Olympics why they are one of the top teams every year. Detroit will take it to the playoff-inexperienced Coyotes. I want to give Phoenix one game but that's it. Wings in 5.


When it boils right down, I am taking a Hawks-Sabres final. The Hawks win! Who do you have in the final? Where do you disagree with what I've got. Let me know! By the way, wouldn't it be ironic if Marian Hossa got to the Cup final again and lost. That would be three years in a row. If that happens, Edmonton should try and trade for Hossa. Hey, it at least means they would get to the finals.

Drop the puck and let the fun begin!