2008 NHL Playoffs Round 1

Okay everyone the NHL playoffs are HERE! State your predictions for the 1^st rd and give me your final.

East

1 Montreal vs 8 Boston
Lovin’ the battle of the original six. These games will be hard hitting. This will be a total domination by the Habs. SWEEP! Enough said.

2 Pittsburgh vs 7 Ottawa
I wish this one would be close but I can’t see it going like last year. Pitts owns them in 5. Crosby, Malkin, Sykora, Hossa, etc but the real problem is Marc Andre Fluery is on FIRE right now. Ottawa is hurt, struggling and are cracking under pressure.

3 Washington vs 6 Philadelphia
Everyone is happy that the Caps made the playoffs. They improved at the deadline to over take Carolina for the division on the last day. But they will need more than one player to beat the Flyers. Semin, Federov, and Backstrom must step up for it to be close. The problem is the Flyers have a better team with a ton of young talent. Briere, Carter, Richards, Lupul, Upshall, and Hartnell will prove to be better than the one man Caps. Philly in 6.

4 New Jersey vs 5 New York
Broduer is one of the greatest goalies of all time. The problem is the Rangers are clicking and have great goaltending themselves with Lundqvist. What the Devils don’t have is enough scoring or defense this year. Rangers win in 6.

West

1 Detroit vs 8 Nashville
I want to go with the Predators here. Looking at these 2 teams I can’t over look the powerhouse of the Red Wings. Hasek and Osgood are the best tandem in hockey so either one will give them a shot every night. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and others are going to shell shock whatever Nashville goalie is playing. Detroit in 5.

2 San Jose vs 7 Calgary
I really like the Flames going into the playoffs. Iggy, Phanuef and Kipper are 3 guys you want to go into battle with. The dilemma the Flames face is the play the worst case 1^st round scenario the SJ Sharks. This Shark team is hungry and looks to make a serious run in the West. Brian Campbell has put this team over the hump and Nabokov will not be stopped. SJ in 5.

3 Minnesota vs 6 Colorado
The Wild are big, strong, hard working and play well defensively. It doesn’t hurt having Backstrom in net. The Avalanche have finished the year very strong. Forsberg is back and lovin’ being back in Colorado. This teams nucleus is in tact with Foote, Sakic and Hedjuk. But what will keep the Wild spinning is the stellar play of the 2 young guns Paul Stastny and Wojtek Wolski. You wonder about the Avs goaltending? Don’t worry any longer Theodore will be able to do the job. Colorado in 6.

4 Anahiem vs 5 Dallas
Everyone and their dog is talking about the Ducks doing really well like last year. Well I think BIG D will have something to say about it as they play the role of the underdog. Turco is a stud and will prove that he can win in the playoffs as well as the regular season. The experience of Brad Richards will help the Stars defeat the Ducks in 7.

Finals prediction: San Jose Sharks beats the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it.