Playoff Predictions

Well with the 2008 playoffs set to kick off tomorrow night, I thought I would lay down some predictions for the first round.

EAST

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
This is a pretty easy prediction with Montreal just dominating Boston throughout their 8 meetings this season. Montreal's dominance goes back even farther, they have faced each other a couple of times in past playoffs with Montreal coming out on top both times. With Montreal's depth throughout their 4 lines, their lethal powerplay and questions whether Marc Savard will be 100% for the series the Canadiens will take this one easily.
HABS IN 5

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Let me first start off with saying who would have thunk it that Ottawa would be in this position at this point off the season? It truly is amazing and it ain't getting any easier for them either. Alfredsson and Fisher both look like they will be out for the whole series and maybe longer depending if the Sens can get past the Penguins and that is one major if. With all the Pens big guns up front lead by Crosby and Malkin, the Pens will be too much for the Senators to handle, even with their lethal duo of Phillips and Volchenkov who sound like they wont always be paired with each other.
PENS IN 6

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
Alexander the Great! Wow what a season for this guy, something is seriously wrong if he doesn't walk away with the Hart by a landslide. With that in mind, how do the Flyers shut him down? Can they even do it? An amazing point made today on TSN made by Darren Dreger, They were talking about the Flyers shutting Ovechkin down and that they will have to be physical against him, but will Ovechkin even be shut down by that? Ovechkin was 9th in the league with 200 some odd hits, the next closest Flyer, Jason Smith ranked 49th in the league and is injured right now. So the Flyers really have no hope, unless Ovechkin starts making dumb decisions and gets himself off his game, and there is no evidence that he will do that. Sorry big tough Hatcher, even you and your amazing skills(NOT!!!) cant shut Ovie down! O and did I mention the Caps are riding a tidal wave of momentum too?
CAPS IN 5

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers
After the Devils win Sunday night against the Rangers to clinch home-ice, I was completely shocked to figure out that that was also their first win against the Rangers all year! 4 of them were in OT but still you think the Devils would have been able to pull off at least 4 wins out of the 8 times they met each other. The point from that first and last win for the Devils was that it was when times really mattered. Brodeur is still the best goalie in the league and I just have seen to much of the who gives a crap Jaromir Jagr this season to think that he will even care about these playoffs.
DEVILS IN 7


WEST

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators
The Preds have had an unbelievable season and I dont think anyone predicted that they would be in a position right now to pull of a huge upset. I think it is too huge for the Preds to pull off and the Red Wings will walk all over the Preds. The likes of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom have done it just too many times and the Preds wont be able to handle it.
WINGS IN 5

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames
***see above post

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche
I have really liked from what I have seen from the Avs with a healthy Forsberg in the line-up. Whether he stays in the line-up throughout this season is up in the air and probably every unlikely. Whether or not, the Avs have made it through some major injuries throughout the year especially Sakic's. Their PP has to be way better but they playoff atmosphere and experience will help. I still think the Wild are too soft even with Fedoruk, Simon and Boogard, Gaborik has had some pretty good playoff success but other than that no other player has been able to step up in the playoffs.
AVS IN 6

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars
This is a very interesting and in my mind close series. The Ducks are of course the defending champs but had an awful time scoring goals this season and their leading scorer, Corey Perry probably wont be ready this round. Even so the Ducks have a rested Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer so they will be as strong as ever. The Stars have a very good team and it could be time for Marty Turco to finally win a playoff series especially after his performance last year against the Canucks. But Ribiero and Richards are injured(not sure on their status for Game 1) and I dont think Ribiero has what it takes to be a go-to guy in the playoffs.
DUCKS IN 6