I made sure not to check out any commentators’ predictions on how the first round of the postseason will go, just to make sure my own weren’t tainted.  Of course, TSN’s playoff coverage just won’t be as compelling anymore now that Maggie the Monkey isn’t there.  (She has a career record of 45-45, by the way.  I know because Wikipedia tells me so.)  I’ve done pretty well on this in the past - not to brag or anything - so let’s see what happens.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

  • (1) Washington vs (8) Montreal - CAPITALS in 4 » Yup, we’re about to see just how much trouble Tomas Plekanec’s mouth has gotten him in.  Maybe Theodore and Varlamov aren’t Brodeur and Luongo, but who does he think Price and Halak are?
  • (2) New Jersey vs (7) Philadelphia - DEVILS in 6 » Brodeur will end up being the difference; Philly’s goaltending just isn’t what it needs to be.  Ilya Kovalchuk has a chance to improve his paltry playoff statistics (4 GP, 1G, 1A, 19 PIM).
  • (3) Buffalo vs (6) Boston - SABRES in 5 » Boston doesn’t have the scoring prowess they need to beat Ryan Miller.  They might take one game from Buffalo, and they’ll be lucky to do that.  The Bruins need to get physical if they want to accomplish anything at all.
  • (4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Ottawa - PENGUINS in 6 » It’ll take the Pens 6 games to defeat the Senators, who have sometimes proven capable of keeping Crosby in check.  If Malkin can get things going, though, this could be done in 5.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

  • (1) San Jose vs (8) Colorado - SHARKS in 5 » The Avalanche have a surprisingly solid team, but with Dany Heatley in the fold in San Jose, the Sharks’ offense will just be too much for them to deal with.
  • (2) Chicago vs (7) Nashville - BLACKHAWKS in 4 » No way that Nashville is going to be able to stop the powerful young ‘Hawks.  Chicago could very well go all the way to the finals, led by the Olympics’ best forward, Jonathan Toews.
  • (3) Vancouver vs (6) Los Angeles - CANUCKS in 6 » Roberto Luongo should be able to hold back the Kings’ shooters, and Art Ross winner Henrik Sedin has a chance to turn a fantastic regular season into something more.  The Kings have played some solid hockey this season, though - could Ryan Smyth’s playoff experience and leadership end up making a difference?
  • (4) Phoenix vs (5) Detroit - RED WINGS in 6 » Yup, it’s going to be Detroit.  There’s just too much experience there, and they’ve been hot since the Olympic break.  Good on Phoenix for getting as far as they have, and they will take a couple of games from the Wings, but this is the end of their big season.  The big question: what will the playoff crowds look like in Phoenix?

Yes, the playoffs are beginning, the baseball season is underway…is this the best time of the year, or what?

EDIT: Conferences fixed.  Touché, megancox and ndotetim!