Bryan's Playoff Predictions

Another year, another Islanders-less post-season.

The one good thing about not having your team in the playoffs is that you really get to sit back and appreciate everything. Without a rooting interest, you can enjoy the games, the quality of play, the intensity of the competitors, and just about everything else that makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs the premier tournament in North American sports. It truly is an entirely different game than the regular season, and the results of the playoffs always show this. Teams never come from nowhere to win the Cup. It takes years of experience and failure to hoist the Stanley Cup. Those teams who appeared last year are wiser for their playoff battles; those who are new to the tournament have much to learn.

So, without further adieu, here are my predictions for the first round.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal - Boston in 6

This is a rematch from the first round of last year's playoffs, only last year Montreal was the top seed in the East and Boston barely got in. And yet, the Bruins took the Habs to the brink, giving them all they wanted and then some. Will Montreal return the favor this year? It'll be an intense series, sure, but Boston is playing as well as they have all year and Montreal was fortunate just to make the playoffs. Boston will win what should be a very physical series.

(2) Washington vs. (7) NY Rangers - Rangers in 7

This is one of the more even 2-7 matchups in recent memory. The Rangers finished 15 points behind the Capitals, but played in a much tougher division and are peaking at the right time. The Capitals, meanwhile, are certainly a great team, but they'll need to play at a very high level to match the defense-first Rangers. Can they do it? It all depends on Sean Avery and Henrik Lundqvist. If Avery can get the likes of Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin off their respective games, the Rangers have more than a fighting chance. And if Lundqvist gets hot, watch out. Those two give the Rangers the nod over what is a far more talented Capitals team.

(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Carolina - Carolina in 6

We all know how great Martin Brodeur is; the media hasn't stopped reminding us of that since Brodeur broke the wins record. But the truth is, this Devils team isn't all it's cracked up to be. They were pretty horrendous down the stretch against playoff teams, losing seven in a row before finally beating the Hurricanes in the final game of the season. But don't let that fool you. The Canes have their best possible matchup against the Devils, they had the best finish to the season of any team, and they have a red-hot Cam Ward in their net. Besides, the Devils always choke in the playoffs. Everybody knows that.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 7

This series is not only NBC's wet dream, but it should also be the best series of the first round. The reason I'm going with Philadelphia is that Pittsburgh lost virtually all of its role players - Gary Roberts, Adam Hall, Mark Recchi, Jarkko Ruutu, etc. - and those players were the most valuable players in their Cup run last year. Philly's superstars can defend themselves for the most part, which goes a long way in the playoffs. Pittsburgh has been great under Dan Byslma, but Philadelphia seems like it's a better playoff team than Pittsburgh at this point in time.

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim - San Jose in 4

The Sharks have heard all season about how nothing matters except for the playoffs. This is the year they finally start acting like it. They didn't bring in Claude Lemieux for the regular season, they brought him in to show the team how to win a Cup. It all starts here. Anaheim had a great run to make the playoffs after being sellers at the trade deadline, but it's hard to imagine them posing a serious threat to the Sharks.

(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus - Detroit in 6

Detroit always seems to have trouble with teams it should destroy in the first round. This should be no different, especially against a Blue Jackets team that has great goaltending. The BJs could be extremely dangerous in front of a rabid crowd that has waited nearly a decade for playoff hockey; with the right matchup, they easily could have stolen a round. As it is, though, they've drawn the Red Wings, and Detroit's skill will prevail in the end.

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis - Vancouver in 7

I'm not sold on this Canucks team. At all. Roberto Luongo's numbers this season were barely better than those of Chris Mason. Mats Sundin has never won anything, nor has anyone else in Vancouver. But they've been to the playoffs before and that experience will help them against the Blues, a team nobody saw getting this far. No matter what, it's a win for St. Louis. Their young players will learn what playoff hockey is all about and will gain valuable experience for the future - but Vancouver will just barely squeak by.

(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary - Chicago in 6

It's hard to take Calgary seriously after they laid an egg down the stretch, and that's a shame, because this is a much better team than the one that nearly stole a round last year. Chicago will be buzzing in their first playoff appearance in years and their young stars will certainly rise to the challenge. Also, the Blackhawks have Nikolai "I Only Play Well In Contract Years" Khabibulin - and wouldn't you know it, he's playing for a contract next year.

If all of these scenarios play themselves out - and, of course, they won't - these are the second-round matchups we'd be left with:

East

 - (1) Boston vs. (7) NY Rangers

 - (5) Philadelphia vs. (6) Carolina

West

 - (1) San Jose vs. (4) Chicago

 - (2) Detroit vs. (3) Vancouver

Those would be some pretty awesome series. For now, though, enjoy the first round. And as for Zach's request to make it interesting... I'm sure we can work something out.