HockeyTalk: Playoff Preview

With the playoffs starting tonight, it's time for me to give a quick breakdown of each series, along with my predictions for round 1 as well as the Final. My season in review started with the East, so we'll start this one in the West.
Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (8) Colorado

The Avalanche surprised everyone this year by even making the playoffs, but they started to struggle at the end of the year. The Sharks are notorious for early playoff exits, so this one could be interesting, but I don't see the Avs being able to keep it up when the intensity increases. It won't be quick, but San Jose will come out on top.

Prediction: Sharks in 6.

(2) Chicago vs. (7) Nasvhille

Chicago is probably the best team in the league this year. The only question mark is their goaltending, but even that isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Nasvhille will have to play their game to perfection to even have a chance against the Hawks, and even if they do that, I don't see them winning more than one game. This will be over in a hurry.

Prediction: Hawks in 4.

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Los Angeles

L.A. is a young, exciting, quick team, but they lack playoff experience. Ryan Smyth will stand out as the Kings' star in this sereis, but Kopitar will crumble when things get tough. The Canucks, on the other hand, are hungry and eager to prove their critics wrong, so they'll be fired up to take this one. Luongo has been shaky, but I'm thinking he'll have no problem stepping up his game once they start to mean something. Honestly, if the biggest question mark facing the Canucks is the play of Roberto Luongo, they're in pretty good shape. Shaky this season or not, he's still Roberto f***ing Luongo. Come on. The Kings will make a series of this, but they'll lose in the end.

Prediction: Canucks in 6.

(4) Phoenix vs. (5) Detroit

Phoenix surprised everyone with their strong season, but offence is a question, as is their ability to win without a shootout. The only reason Detroit didn't finish in the top three is because of their injuries at the start of the season, so their status as underdog is in question. They have a ton of experience; they're more talented, and because of the injuries, they're relatively well rested. Phoenix will bore everyone to tears with low-scoring, dull games, but Detroit will make short work of the desert dogs in a series of close ones.

Prediction: Wings in 5.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington vs. (8) Montreal

Yes, there are goaltending questions in D.C., but the Captials' offensive firepower will prove to be too much for the Habs to handle. Not knowing who your starting goalie is (Halak vs. Price) can't help either. Washington will take this one easily.

Prediction: Capitals in 4.

(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Philadelphia

Martin Brodeur has struggled in the playoffs recently, but he's still going to have enough to take on the Flyers. Add Kovalchuk to the mix, and they've got a strong all-around team. Philadelphia has struggled all season, and there's no reason to think they'll pull it together in time to get past the Devils. Game 1 notwithstanding, New Jersey is the better team.

Prediction: Devils in 6.

(3) Buffalo vs. (6) Boston

Boston has no offence and questionable rookie goaltending. They have good defence and an effective but boring system, but Ryan Miller will be too much for them to work on, and the Sabres' offensive depth will wear the Bruins down in the long run.

Prediction: Sabres in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Ottawa

The last two times these teams played in the first round, the winner went on to lose in the final. That won't happen this year. Neither team is strong enough to compete in the long run, and the winner of this will be out in the second round. Ottawa has played better than expected this year, and Pittsburgh has disappointed somewhat, but the two teams are pretty evenly matched -- when healthy. No Kovalev in Ottawa means the Senators are done in this one, again, not counting game 1.

Prediction: Penguins in 6.

So, there's my take on round 1. As for my predictions for the East and West, I see New Jersey beating Washington in the East final, and the winner of Chicago-Vancouver (probable round 2 matchup) beating Detroit in the West. The cup will go to the West this season.

I should have more time available to break down each round of the playoffs, and we can look forward to the return of CanucksTalk as I break down each game the morning after. Thus, until Friday, cheers!