NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs - Predictions

With the greatest post-season in sports ready to get underway, and my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins a part of it for the first time in six years, I want to provide my predictions on not just the first round like the professional hockey writers, but the playoffs in their entirety. I do this for two reasons:

1. I have no fear. And very little shame.

2. It's fun.

I'll go round-by-round, starting with the West. Team with home-ice listed first. I'll save the Pens-Sens prediction for the end of the first round.

Round One - Western Conference

Detroit vs. Calgary - A tough series because the Wings have tended to choke in the first round. Calgary has chemistry issues, but if Kiprusoff gets hot the beat-up Wings could be upset.
Flames 4-3

Anaheim vs. Minnesota - The Wild's Niklas Backstrom has been a surprise in goal, but he lacks playoff experience, which the Ducks have in abundance. Pronger and Niedermeyer should be able to limit Marian Gaborik. Still expect a close, tight-checking series. Ducks 4-3

Vancouver vs. Dallas - Roberto Luongo's first playoff series couldn't be set up any better. The Stars have very little in the way of offense. Couple this with Marty Turco's routine playoff inconsistency and this becomes the easiest pick in the West. Canucks 4-2

Nashville vs. San Jose - I was set to pick the Preds in 7 until I found out about Steve Sullivan's injury. Even with this hanging over the team, Vokoun in net should allow the Preds to keep it close, but the Sharks just simply have more firepower. Sharks 4-3

Round One - Eastern Conference

Buffalo vs. New York Islanders - With DiPietro, the Isles were going to have trouble winning three games. Without him, I doubt they'll win two. Sabres 4-1

New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay - Tampa's goaltending is not the best, and it's going up against the best goaltender of all time. As long as the Devils can score three goals a game, they should win.
Devils 4-2

Atlanta vs. New York Rangers - The Rangers have been the chic pick by most writers, but Kari Lehtonen is the equal of Lundquist and I like their collection of forwards and d-men better. Jagr and Shanahan's experience will keep this tight. Thrashers 4-3

Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh - Pens-Sens should be one of the best series. Fleury is clearly a superior netminder to Ray Emery and that will, eventually, make all the difference. Penguins 4-3

Round Two - Western Conference

Anaheim vs. Calgary - Both of these teams will be coming off difficult, draining first round matchups. In the end though, Anaheim is clearly the superior team, due more to the presence of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermeyer on the blue line than anything else. The Kipper will keep this close though. Ducks 4-3

Vancouver vs. San Jose - Luongo got a soft warmup against Dallas, but it won't carry over against the Sharks. Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau have too much firepower and I don't see the Sedin twins and a disappointing Markus Naslund being able to match. Sharks 4-2

Round Two - Eastern Conference

Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh - This is a great matchup for the league and the TV networks. Unfortunately, the Penguins will be coming off a grueling seven-game victory over the tough Senators, while the Sabres will beat the weakest team in the field handily. This will give the Sabres an edge that they will not relinquish. Sabres 4-2

New Jersey vs. Atlanta -This is NOT a great matchup for the league and the TV networks, who would have preferred a Devils-Rangers tilt. Regardless, the balanced Thrashers will be able to keep up with the Devils, but Brodeur will be the difference as he stymies Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Keith Tkachuk. Devils 4-2


Western Conference Championship


Anaheim vs. San Jose - An exciting, tough series to watch and follow. I look for the Ducks to be somewhat worn out due to their tough earlier-round series. That makes the difference in series as Thornton, Marleau and Cheechoo have enough to overcome Pronger and Niedermeyer.

Sharks 4-3

Eastern Conference Championship

Buffalo vs. New Jersey - Brodeur probably will be touted for the Conn Smythe at the start of this series, but in the end, the Sabres momentum and depth will win out.

Sabres - 4-2

Stanley Cup Championship

Buffalo vs. San Jose - Look for a hard-fought series by two teams looking for their first Cup. Expect some high-scoring exciting games throughout this series, which will be won by the Buffalo Sabres four games to three.

After Round One, I'll post my record - likely to be poor - and my predictions on the subsequent round right up to the Cup Final. To all my fellow hockey fans and especially the Pittsburgh Penguins fans: Enjoy!