Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa. The Penguins begin their Stanley Cup Title defense tonight against the Ottawa Senators at the Mellon Arena. It is time to find out whether or not they can turn the switch on like they have been alluding to all season long. The Penguins inconsistency does concern me, but when you are as strong as the Pens are down the middle with Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury in goal, you are awfully tough to beat in a seven games series. The key for the Penguins will be to neutralize the Senators top line featuring Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. I believe Gonchar and Orpik will get the bulk of the work against the Sens’ top line and the Penguins depth will be the difference in this series. Penguins in five.
Washington vs. Montreal. The Capitals are too explosive for a Montreal team that limps into the playoffs. There is a reason the Caps have the most points and biggest goal differential in the league. Capitals in a sweep.
New Jersey vs. Philadelphia. We will call this the upset special! Philadelphia beat the Devils in five out of six games this year and seems to match up very well with the Devils’ trap. Throw in New Jersey’s recent playoff flops and the inability of all-world goalie Martin Brodeur to lead his team deep in the playoffs and I feel even more comfortable with the Flyers. Flyers in six.
Buffalo vs. Boston. This should be a tight, low scoring series where a few bounces here or there could throw it either way. I find it hard to pick against the best goalie in the world right now, Ryan Miller. Sabres in seven.
San Jose vs. Colorado. Recent playoff failures by the Sharks have people calling for the upset in this one. Colorado is still too young, however, and will have a happy to be there attitude. The Sharks are talented, and this year they avoid the first round upset. Sharks in five.
Chicago vs. Nashville. Chicago is too deep and too talented for this Nashville team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Blackhawks give Marian Hossa his third straight trip to the Finals. Blackhawks in five.
Vancouver vs. Los Angeles. This could be the most competitive of the series out West, featuring the young stars of the Kings versus Robert Luongo and the NHL’s scoring leader Henrik Sedin. I think the ultimate difference in this series will be Los Angeles’ advantage on the blue line, where Drew Doughty may just be the best defenseman in the league. Kings in seven.
Phoenix vs. Detroit. Detroit, in danger of missing the playoffs at the Olympic Break, scorched to a 16-3-2 finish to the season to propel themselves to the number five seed. The Red Wings are too experienced and too talented to flop in the first round against an untested playoff team in the Coyotes. Red Wings in five.
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