Here are my predictions for Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Eastern Conference
(A1) Boston Bruins vs (WC2) Detroit Red Wings: This series will be very interesting to watch since Detroit is capable of beating anybody despite all the injuries they had/have this season. Boston is the eastern conferences best team, but it would not shock me if the injury-plagued Red Wings won this series someway/somehow. Bruins in 7.
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (A3) Montreal Canadiens: For some reason, this was probably the hardest series to predict for a variety of reasons. Particularly, whether Ben Bishop is 100% or whether Carey Price can lead the Habs out of the first round against this great Tampa Bay offense. Again, it was a though call, but I'm going with the team that's more healthy behind the net. Canadiens in 6.
(M1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets: This series will play out very similar to the Penguins first round series last season against the Islanders. Columbus is a great offensive team despite the loss of Nathan Horton. Pittsburgh's goal-tending situation when playoffs come has been a problem. I think Crosby&Co make clutch goals down the stretch to lead the way. Penguins in 6.
(M2) New York Rangers vs (M3) Philadelphia Flyers: The best first round match up in an entertainment standpoint should be great between these two teams. Both teams offenses are great, Rangers with Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards and Flyers with Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, and Vincent Lacavlier. This series comes down to goal-tending. Rangers in 7.
Western Conference
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs (WC1) Minnesota Wild: This series is going to be fun to watch. Both teams offenses are excellent with the likes Nathan McKinnon and Zach Parise playing in this series and all of these games will be entertaining. It wouldn't shock me if either team won this series, but I have to go with the red-hot Semyon Varlamov instead of Ilya Bryzgalov. Avalanche in 7.
(C2) St. Louis Blues vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This will be another great series with two division rivals. When St. Louis acquired Ryan Miller, that would make them favorites and put them over the top. Chicago will be getting back Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. I just don't like how the Blues ended their season and the 'Hawks are the reigning champs and getting healthy. Blackhawks in 6.
(P1) Anaheim Ducks vs (WC2) Dallas Stars: This series would be interesting to watch considering the Stars won the season series against the Ducks and that the Ducks were the 2 seed last year and were eliminated and the fact that the Stars haven't been to the playoffs in a while. Expect Corey Perry and Tyler Seguin to have big impacts. Ducks in 6.
(P2) San Jose Sharks vs (P3) Los Angeles Kings: Arguably the best western conference match up of the first round with two elite clubs. Two excellent goal tenders in Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick and a bunch of star players on the offensive end such as Anze Kopitar and Joe Pavelski. Both teams are capable of winning this series, but Quick is the best goal tender in the west. Kings in 6.
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