NHL 2007-08 Playoffs Preview

NHL playoffs are finally upon us! The regular season was one long and difficult grind with all of its surprises and disappointments, but with all 82 games now played we can start looking forward to the playoff match-ups. I put together a quick preview of the upcoming series where I try to predict a winner for each. All of this is highly opinionated of course so take it with a grain of salt.

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens (1) - Boston Bruins (8)
What more could a hockey fan ask for when it comes to this series? Two storied franchises that, to put it lightly, dislike each other are going at it in full force! Regular season season has been owned by Montreal (won all 8 matches only giving Boston 1 point out of possible 16), but this will change come playoff time. Bruins will probably get Savard back in the lineup at some point, plus Bergeron might also play some games. The key for the Habs is to keep tempo high and make slower Boston chase them around. Black and gold must stay disciplined against a lethal power play the Habs possess and play a physical game fore-checking hard. Koivu's injury is a big blow to Montreal's chances, but they should still prevail due to more depth at virtually every position.
Prediction: Montreal in 6.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) - Ottawa Senators (7)
We have a re-match of last year! But this time around the roles have been reversed. Shall Ottawa take the series most will call it an upset, because Pittsburgh clearly is the better squad. They're a double-headed Crosby-Malkin monster with some serious help on the wings in Hossa, Sykora and Talbot. Let's not forget about Gonchar/Whitney blue line and Fleury who's been outstanding since his comeback. Gary Roberts has returned from his horrific leg injury and has looked good the last couple of games. I feel this is a better, more experienced version of Pittsburgh Penguins team that lost in their first round last year. And Ottawa? Well, Ottawa just does not look promising. No Daniel Alfreddsson - no win. If anything, they should thank Carolina that lost a very winnable game for being in the post-season at all.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 6.

Washington Capitals (3) - Philadelphia Flyers (6)
Washington Capitals are the Cinderella that a lot of people will cheer for come post season. A truly amazing story of success for a team that was second to last in the Eastern conference a couple of months back and looked like a guaranteed bottom feeder. A new coach did wonders for them, and so have their trade deadline acquisitions. Cristobal huet and Sergei Fedorov elevated this team and should I even mention the league's MVP (yes, I said it) - Alex Ovechkin, who's been unreal this season? Washington plays down to earth Philadelphia without Gagne and Briere's status uncertain. Slow Flyers have to rely on their size and grit to win the series, but I'm not sure Washington could be sustained by them. I feel that Philadelphia's success rests on Mike Richards' shoulders. We shall see if he can carry the team. I'm not going to pretend here, I would like to see Washington advance almost as much as Montreal.
Prediction: Washington in 6.

New Jersey Devils (4) - New York Rangers (5)
Got your pillows ready for this one? Just kidding of course, but we do have two lowest scoring teams go at it in this series. Defence will dominate and I don't expect many goals to be scored in this one. Perhaps the most exciting goal-tending match up to be witnessed. Lundquist versus Brodeur - how good is that? But yes, don't expect to many pucks in the back of those nets here. It's amazing how far New Jersey have come with their not-so-hot lineup. I mean when Zubrus was signed as your first line centre you don't usually expect a contender, but this couldn't be farther away from truth. Several key players have propelled the Devils to be one of the top Eastern teams and if not for the recent slump they'd be challenging for the conference crown. Rangers however, have clicked in the second part of the season and have entered the post-season firing on all cylinders. This one should be long, hard-fought and grueling series where it's nearly impossible to predict winner. I'll give it to the Rangers only because of their "clutch" players such as Drury and Shanahan.
Prediction: New York in 7.

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (1) - Nashville Predators (8)
Nashville predators have limped into the post-season at Vancouver's expense. Even though the team was on a great run last ten games or so, I felt they were more fortunate than anything else. A lot of late games against St.Louis, Chicago and Columbus resulted in points, but if you look at Nashville's record against stronger opponents as of late - it isn't great by any means. The series should be a good warm-up for the Red Wings and the most likely candidate for a sweep out of all first round match-ups. Yes, even with Detroit's not so stellar post-season history of the last several years, this one should be an easy ride barring an epic of truly epic proportions.
Prediction: Detroit in 4.

San Jose Sharks (2) - Calgary Flames (7)
San Jose has been the hottest team in the league for the last 6 weeks or so. This team has been gradually improving throughout the season and has peaked just at the right time. They bring everything - physicality, size, goal tending and very strong play making abilities. Brian Campbell transformed their transition game and has added another dimension to team's power play. Calgary is going to have to survive the road games and try to win home contests in order to have a chance. I believe this is Sharks' year and Iginla & Co. won't have enough to stop them.
Prediction: San Jose in 5.

Minnesota Wild (3) - Colorado Avalanche (6)
This one is really up in the air as far as I am concerned. Most people pick Colorado to be the clear favourite, but i think if Minnesota plays their style of defensively responsible game they have a good chance to contain high flying offence of the Avalanche. With that said who can pick against Forsberg, Sakic and Foote re-united, with Stastny, Smyth and Hejduk as the supporting cast? Colorado looks insanely good on paper, their experience is invaluable and should lead them past the Wild. Regular season has been a big injury plagued disappointment in Denver, but it will all be forgotten shall the Avalanche win a couple of series. This series could certainly go either way, but I think Colorado has enough to go through.
Prediction: Colorado in 7.

Anaheim Ducks (4) - Dallas Stars (5)
Dallas Stars went from being NHL's hottest team in February to league's coldest playoff-bound team in March. To me it is evident that acquisition of Brad Richards messed up locker room's chemistry which is not surprising considering Mike Ribeiro was the go-to guy before the deal with Tampa Bay went through. Sergei Zubov will be out for the Stars which is a huge blow to their defence obviously. While Anaheim is not the same dominant team we all saw last year (even though their roster looks nearly identical on paper), it is still a clear Cup contender. Corey Perry might miss this series they say, but defence should win it for the Ducks anyway. I'm expecting a conservative, low-scoring affair with the better team advancing to the second round.
Prediction: Anaheim in 6.