NHL Playoff Predictions: Round One

It is time for what I believe to be the best playoff season of all the sports: Stanley Cup Playoffs. This year has brought many storylines from Bruins winning the President’s Trophy, Capitals not making the playoffs, a new playoff format, and the Avalanche playing through injury to go from last place to division championship. All that aside, its playoff time. Here are the Matchups:

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings

Ryan: This is a very tough draw for the President’s Trophy winners. The Red Wings were all but out of the playoffs until a strong finish to claim the final spot. Now, Detroit is clicking at the right time. Boston has lost three out of four to Detroit and is going to need a strong performance from the powerplay, which was ranked third in the NHL. Detroit has playoff experience and is riding high, both of which will be too much for Boston.

Winner: Red Wings in 6

Matt: Somehow the fucking Red Wings were able to find themselves in the playoffs again. Luckily, for me as a Penguins fan, they aren't playing the Penguins. Detroit, no matter what kind of year they had is always a threat in the playoffs. Given, Boston did have a great year, winning the President's Trophy and looking to avenge their last year's final lost to the Blackhawks, but they'll have a tough road to get back there. This Detroit team hasn't changed much from last year and was one game away from beating eventual Stanley Cup champions, Chicago. I think Detroit has what it takes to make a big splash in the playoffs in their first year in the Eastern Conference and I think that they are able to slip past the top seed.

Winner: Red Wings in 7

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Ryan: This is a series I am looking forward to. Separated by just one point, the Lightning and Canadians look to pull away from one another and reach the second round. During the four previous meetings, the Lightning won three of them. However, two of the meetings were decided in a shootout and another in overtime. Needless to say, these two teams are very evenly matched. With such a close disparity, special teams will play a key role. The Lightning have not performed well on the penalty kill, allowing almost 20 percent.

Winner: Canadiens in 7

Matt: This should be a very interesting series. A young start up from Florida against the dynasty of the Canadiens. Stamkos will have a tough outing going against Canadien hero, Carey Price, but I see this series being very tight. I unforunately think it is a coin toss on this one and can go either way but in the end I'm going to have to go with history and that history lies with the Montreal Canadiens.

Winner: Canadiens in 6

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Ryan: Columbus snagged the first wild card spot, but they are going to have a quick playoff appearance. Pittsburgh has won all five games against the Blue Jackets, and I don’t see this serious being any different. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and Co. will be way too much for Columbus to handle. One thing that will be interesting to see is how Marc-Andre Fleury will perform in the playoffs. Since winning the Stanley cup, Fleury has underperformed in the post season.

Winner: Penguins in 4

Matt: The Penguins weren't able to nab the top spot in the East but because of that they now get a much more favorable matchup against the surprise Columbus Blue Jackets. This is only the second time that the Blue Jackets have qualified for the playoffs and the first time since 2008-2009. The Penguins have absolutely dominated the Blue Jackets this season and I don't think the playoffs will be any different. Crosby is having a career year and is the front runner for the MVP and while Malkin is having an off year in terms of scoring, he is still being a play maker and all the other pieces for the Penguins are clicking. Penguins have no trouble with the Blue Jackets.

Winner: Penguins in 5

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Ryan: Another equal matchup in the East, as both the Rangers and the Flyers won two out of four meetings. In the four meetings, the home team won each game. The old adage states that it’s not a series until you win on the road. The Rangers have won 25 games on the road this season compared to just 18 for the Flyers. In a series this tight, winning on the road will be crucial. I’m not seeing the Flyers being able to do that.

Winner: Rangers in 6

Matt: This will be a great series. Two rivals that hate each other, this series promises to be the most physical of the four in the East. I'll be watching this series for that reason alone, hoping for multiple fights to break out and hard hits all around. This will be a pure hockey series. That being said, this series could also swing either way. Both teams are looking good, but I think it'll ultimately come down to who is able to take the punches and as much as I hate to  say this, I think the Flyers have the edge there.
Winner: Flyers in 7 

Western Conference

Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars

Ryan: Like Boston Bruins, the Ducks drew a hard task against the Stars, after falling to them 1-2 in the three meetings this season. Dallas fought its way into the playoffs to get the last wildcard spot in the West while the Ducks won the conference with a strong finish. Both teams are high scoring, but the Stars have struggled in the goaltending department. Kari Lethonen has subpar save percentage and goals against averages. The Stars acquired proven goalie Tim Thomas via trade this year in hopes that his prescience will ignite a fire under Lethonen.

 Winner: Ducks in 5

Matt: Somehow the Ducks were able to creep up the standings and nab the top spot in the West after the Blues and Avs weren't able to hold on toward the end of the season. Last year the Ducks won their division as well, but fell short in the playoffs, losing in the first round to the Red Wings. Luckily, this year the Ducks won't able to deal with the playoff strong Red Wings, but instead land the Dallas Stars who were the surprise team of the season  after not making the playoffs since 2007-2008, Dallas has been able to turn it around and find themselves in the hunt for the cup. Don't overlook these Stars, I think they will put some fear in the Ducks, but ultimately, the Ducks should be able to pull through.
Winner: Ducks in 6 (QUACK, QUACK, QUACK)

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Ryan: A California battle that looks to be a good one, the Sharks and Kings look to heat things up in the first round. The early season matchups were each decided by one goal, except for a 4-1 win for the Kings. Jonathan Quick is one of the NHL’s best goaltenders and is facing a tope ten scoring offense. The sharks have been able to score and defend, being top ten in the league in both goals for and against. The Kings have struggled to score this season, only netting 2.4 goals a game. Good goaltending can only take a team so far, then they need to put it in the net.

Winner: Sharks in 6

Matt: Pretty crazy to think that all three California teams made the playoffs this year. Guess hockey is alive on the West Coast eh? This should be a great series, the Sharks once again find themselves in the playoffs but facing a tough test in the Los Angeles Kings. Remember, this Kings team won it all two years ago. I think a lot of people forget this, because in LA, the Lakers rule the city. However, with the Lakers being terrible this year, I think the people of LA are just happy to have another team to cheer for besides the Clippers. I think the Kings are able to pull the upset, and move on.

Winner: Kings in 7 

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild

Ryan: The Avalanche have surpassed all pre season expectations and then some. After finishing last in the Western Conference last year, the Avalanche win the Central Division. The road hasn’t been easy, as the Avalanche have played with many injuries throughout the year including Matt Duchene, who is set to return mid first round to early second round. The Wild barely made the playoffs this year, and poor performance on the offensive end and penalty killing is a major reason. The wild are in the bottom six in both categories. The young Avalanche team has soared at the end of the season, big thanks to great goaltending by Semyon Varlamov. This series looks to be a quick one for Colorado.

Winner: Avalanche in 5

Matt: Still really shocked that the Avs were able to find a way to win the first new Central title this year. At the beginning of the year, I thought my Hawks had it in the bag and late in the season I thought that the Blues were going to take it, but a late season choke by the Blues and a strong finish by the Avs had the Central division title going to  the Avs. Pretty crazy the turn around in Colorado backed by second year coach Patrick Roy. The Avalanche are dangerous and I think they will be too much for the Wild to handle.
Winner: Avalanche in 4

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan: St. Louis Blues were the number one seed and up nine points on the Avalanche in the Western Conference before a monumental collapse. Losing six straight, the Blues are just trying to gain traction. The reigning Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks are looking to win their third cup in five years. The Blackhawks have struggled to stay healthy, but have assured us all the Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will be ready for the playoffs. A mixture of returning stars for the Blackhawks and a Blues team struggling to find its way will amount to a Blackhawks victory.

Winner: Blackhawks in 5

Matt: Both of these teams are limping into the playoffs. St. Louis blew a conference top spot and then blew a Central division title. St. Louis hasn't made the Division Finals in the playoffs since 1992-1993, while the Chicago Blackhawks have won two of the last four Stanley Cups. The Blackhawks are a playoff tested team while the Blues are not. It may seem a very simplification of the matchup but that is what it will come down too. The Blackhawks also get back their captain, Toews and their star, Kane, just in time for the first round matchup against their rivals. This one is also going to be physical but in the end I think the Blackhawks have the edge. 

Winner: Blackhawks in 6

Well there you have it, our first round predictions. Be on the lookout for round two.