the stick, the stone and the puddle

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

montreal’s inability to score goals will be their undoing against the league’s highest scoring team. washington will definitely allow their share of goals, but they score them as if they’re going out of style. unless montreal find a way to contain ovechkin (in other words, stop semin from seeing the puck), it’s hard to believe they will see round 2. montreal’s only chance is play hard, hit hard, finish their checks and stay out of the penalty box.
washington in 5 games

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

the series is summarized in one word, brodeur. he’s old, but he’s amazing. he is looking for a rebound period after losing his spot on the gold winning olympic team. the flyers are arguably more inconsistent than montreal (but got a bit luckier).
new jersey in 6

#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins

ryan miller will continue his amazing form from the season and the olympics. boston will really miss savard (thanks cooke). in a way i was hoping for a boston-pittsburgh series, but i doubt that will happen this year.
buffalo in 6

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators

the penguins are the defending champions. they have arguably 2 of the best top 5 players in the league. ottawa will not stand a chance.
pittsburgh in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche

san jose won the western conference with some amazing play as of late. they have had amazing seasons in the last 3 years, but always came up short. colorado surprised everyone. they were supposed to end in the bottom of the conference. while they ended up on 8th place, that only happened due to the first 7 teams having 100 or more points. the inconsistency of the sharks will creep up again. this has the making of an upset
colorado in 7

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators

the blackhawks only got better since last year. they have a young fast and talented group. nashville will definitely come to play, but home ice advantage and speed will prove very important.
blackhawks in 6

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings

vancouver is coming of an amazing season. they have the art ross trophy winner, but los angeles has an amazing young group of players who play with grit and determination. the kings are the second surprise of the west this year, but vancouver’s experience should see them through
vancouver in 6

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

2 months ago detroit was expected to miss the playoffs. their team got healthy and they have been on a tear. while the coyotes are the biggest surprise of the nhl this year, detroit knows how to win. they have a gold medal winning coach and a team that never gives up (just ask calgary). they only weak point on the detroit squad is the inexperience of their of their goalie.
detroit in 7