Playoff Preview and Predictions

So.... I'm still kind of a fan of making predictions.  As much as it's a fool's errand, I still like the idea of analyzing each matchup and trying to guess who will come out on top.

Here at TH, the playoffs mean two things:
1) Intense and Televised Hockey, and
2) PREDICTIONS (also, this year: Bracketology).


UPDATE: Yeah, I changed my bracket picks last minute. Couldn't stand the idea of Boston winning the cup again, but fortunately this didn't change any of my first round picks

First, lets take a look at the Eastern conference and see what's cooking.

ATLANTIC DIVISION #1 Boston VS #4 Detroit A couple of Original 6 teams going at it like badgers. Boston has steamrolled the league for the past month, surpassing the Penguins for the Eastern Conference lead, then passing the Blues to win the President's trophy. Boston has looked unstoppable this season, but Detroit has seemingly had their number, winning 3 of 4 matchups between them during the regular season. Add in the fact that Detroit is starting to get healthy, and you have to like Detroit's chances to push Boston to the brink or maybe pull off a major upset. However, I don't. Boston in 6 #2 Tampa Bay VS #3 Montreal Montreal has the long and storied history (and the last Canadian-won Stanely Cup), but Tampa Bay has won it a lot more recently. GM Steve Yzerman has built a great team and Tampa boasts one of the league's best goal-scorers in Steven Stamkos. However, Montreal is a young team with a lot of offensive upside. Add that to Michel Therrien's defensive coaching style and it's somehow worked in Montreal. The big question (and deciding factor) in this series will be the goaltending. I've never been sold on Carey Price as a legit Goalie, and Tampa Bay will be relying on streaky backup Anders Lindback with Ben Bishop down and out at least to start the series. Montreal in 6

METROPOLITAN DIVISION #1 Pittsburgh VS #4 Columbus Pittsburgh dominated the season series between these two division rivals, winning all 5 games. Columbus insists that doesn't mean a thing. The Jackets are making their second playoff appearance in their history (and first without Rick Nash). This difference between this and the 1st round out they had last time? Identity. Columbus actually has one this time: A gritty, tough-to-play team with solid goaltending. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has a history of underperforming in the playoffs since they won the cup in 2009. This series will either make the Penguins legit contenders or signal significant moves in an early offseason. Fleury sounds ready though. Pittsburgh in 5 #2 New York Rangers VS #3 Philadelphia Let me start by saying that I absolutely HATE Philadelphia, and would like nothing more than to see them continue to be unable to win at MSG. But too many times I've seen this kind of thing happen and it just falls apart in the playoffs. The Rangers have a coach who was notorious for teams choking in the playoffs, and an anaemic offense despite a practical embarrassment of riches. Philadelphia is built for hockey with no penalties being called (Also known as the playoffs, every year). As much as it pains me... Philadelphia in 6

Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference...

CENTRAL DIVISION #1 Colorado VS #4 Minnesota Colorado has been one of the hottest teams this season, especially over the last month, in spite of losing Captain Matt Duchene. Minnesota could best be described as 'streaky.' That said, we have two hot teams playing each other in the first round, each riding a hot goalie to help secure a playoff spot. Minnesota has the star power, but just aren't deep enough, and Bryzgalov can only do so much, though it's worth mentioning that he is one of the hottest goalies in the league right now. I guess this one comes down to who can stay hotter longer. Colorado in 5 #2 St. Louis VS #3 Chicago The defending champs have an uphill battle to try and repeat, despite St. Louis faultering in the last month or so. Ryan Miller will show up, I have no doubt, and while St. Louis is missing some key players, they have a solid defensive core. Chicago is getting its big 2 back in Kane and Toews, but I think if Hitchcock can get the Blues back to playing defensively responsible hockey, and I believe he will, St. Louis should win this series by a nose. St. Louis in 7

PACIFIC DIVISION #1 Anaheim VS #4 Dallas I like Dallas. Really, I do. But I just can't bet against Anaheim in this one with it being the last dance for Teemu Selanne. He's meant so much to Anaheim for so long, this team will be doing everything they can to make a run of this. Dallas is kind of a young team, though they, like Columbus, have finally found a good identity that seems to fit. However, they're also not very deep scoring wise, though their 3rd line could surprise some folks and show up in the playoffs. Really though...this series will come down to how Lehtonen performs versus the Goalie controversy in Anaheim, which I don't think will matter. Anaheim in 6 #2 San Jose VS #3 Los Angeles LThis series will probably be the best series in the entire playoffs. While it may not have the hate of the Flyers/Rangers series, or the star power of the Blue/Blackhawks series, this is a matchup of two evenly strengthed teams, both built for physical and skill play, as they battle for the crown of California's best and more importantly a chance to keep playing for the Stanley Cup. San Jose has a history of choking in the Playoffs, but the Kings have only recently managed to get their goalscoring back on track. Still, the Sharks can't possibly choke again...Right? Nahhhh San Jose in 5

Well, that's all for this round of predictions. Be sure to check back for more thoughts and opinions, as well as more predictions come round #2.

Oh! And hopefully you remembered to fill out your playoff bracket at NHL.com. I did, and you can see my predictions above.