2009 Playoffs 1st Round Predictions

My favorite time of year starts on Wednesday, the Stanley Cup Playoffs! I hope that all of you out there whose teams are in the playoffs are ready for the real season to begin, and that fans of the other 14 teams enjoy the postseason anyway. With the playoffs on the cusp of beginning, here is a look at my first round predictions:

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal
I want to make this series a bit closer than it will be, but after watching some recent Montreal games, I just can’t. Interestingly enough, Carey Price wasn’t even the problem against Pittsburgh on Saturday night. Montreal is a team that hasn’t been playing desperate enough to even be in the playoffs, so what’s going to change now that they’re in? The Bruins just love beating up on Montreal, both on the score sheet and with physical play, and through no fault of Price’s, that’s just what I see happening here.
Prediction: Boston in 5

(2) Washington vs. (7) New York
Washington, despite some iffy goaltending, is far more balanced than New York, and that will quickly become apparent in this series. The Rangers, however, have ridden into the playoffs on their Swedish white horse, and have no intention of getting off. Lundqvist has the ability to steal some games, but if he shows up cold on game night, Ovechkin and crew will have a field day. I’m not as high on Washington as most people are, but they will definitely walk out of this series as winners.
Prediction: Washington in 6

(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Carolina
Traditionally, the Hurricanes have given the Devils headaches, both in the regular season and playoffs. For those of you looking past this matchup, consider this: the team that won each of the three previous series between these teams went on to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. The 2006 Hurricanes went on to win the Stanley Cup…the 2001 Devils (vs. Colorado) and 2002 Hurricanes (vs. Detroit) lost in the Cup Finals. But this is about the present, and in that regard, there is no clear cut favorite in my mind. The key to this series will be two players from each side, Martin Brodeur and Zach Parise vs. Cam Ward and Erik Cole. Brodeur seems poised to return to form just in time, however Ward always gets up for games against his childhood role model. Parise will look to build on his outstanding 4th season and lead the Devils in scoring, while Cole feels like he never left Carolina, and will put their offense on his back. In the end, though, this Devils team has overcome far too much this year to sputter out so quickly.
Prediction: New Jersey in 6

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Philadelphia
What a battle we can expect out of this one. The Penguins are not a physical team by nature, but all bets are off when it’s the Flyers on the other end of the ice. Pittsburgh is fresh off completing a run which vaulted them from booking tee times to booking playoff dates at the Mellon, and they look very much like last year’s Pens under new coach Dan Bylsma. The intrigue in this series is that Philly will be looking to avenge that Conference Finals series last year, and some players like Dan Carcillo will be hungry for their first taste of the playoffs. But for this series to work out differently than I see it, the Flyers will need their biggest question mark—goaltending—to overcome the Penguins’ biggest strength—their offense. It won’t be a total wash-out, but the latest chapter in the Battle of Pennsylvania will go west.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 7

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim
Finally, the most anticipated playoff matchup in recent history is happening! The biggest factor in this series is going to be Anaheim’s ability to stay out of the box. There’s a fine line between physical play and taking bad penalties, and Anaheim needs to learn which side of that line to play on. In addition, the goaltending is a bit more stable in San Jose; Hiller seems the more capable of the two, yet this is his first taste of the playoffs, whereas the veteran Giguere has had a shaky year. I look forward to a physical series, but San Jose is dominant in every other area.
Prediction: San Jose in 5

(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus
You want an upset, I got your upset right here. Detroit has been looking very bored and uninspired lately, and that’s fine when you’re in the spot they are, provided they can turn the switch back on now. Columbus, meanwhile, is hungry and energized, and Steve Mason could be poised to be the next young goalie to make a splash in the playoffs. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that’s what upsets are all about, and if it turns out to be true, you know who called it.
Prediction: Columbus in 6

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis
Ah, gotta love the Blues. Much like the Jackets, I’ve become enamored with the Blues for the way they played this year. St. Louis was six feet under, covered in dirt, and just as they were planting the tombstone out rose the Zombie Blues…you know, the Blues team that plays out of their mind and gets great goaltending from Chris Mason. Well, the Zombie Blues are now in the playoffs, and while this Vancouver team is well constructed, I think the Blues will give them a run. But Ryan Kesler and Roberto Luongo will hold down the fort, and the Canucks will fight on.
Prediction: Vancouver in 7

(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary
What the heck happened to Calgary? Here they were, poised for a deep run with freshly acquired O-Jo. Now, they don’t have enough healthy players to field a roster without going over the cap. That will be fixed when cap restrictions are lifted for the playoffs, but that aside, I think Chicago is playing too well not to win this series. What the Hawks lack in experience they make up for in energy, and they can attack you in so many ways. Calgary won’t make it easy, but they also won’t get it done.
Prediction: Chicago in 6

As long as it’s in pencil, you can pencil in Boston, Washington, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Columbus, Vancouver, and Chicago to take part in an incredible second round. Here’s to a great playoffs!