My NHL Playoffs First Round Picks

I have truly neglected my writing lately, or had far to much last semester work, but either way hopefully this will be the start of some regular use again.leave your picks in the comments or at least click them in for the poll.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Vancouver vs #8 Chicago
Vancouver comes into the match-up after winning the presidents trophy as number one in the NHL. Despite falling to the Hawks the last two years in the second round the Canucks look poised to switch the trend. Chicago backed into the playoffs on the final day of the season after losing to Detroit at home. Minnesota defeated Dallas later that night sending them home in the Wilds first meaningful game since mid march. I think Luongo finally has a good playoff series while the the offense gets it done for Vancouver even with out Malhotra in the lineup. Ill take Vancouver in 6.

#2 San Jose vs #7 Los Angeles
In the past I would question San Jose's ability to deal with the pressure of being one of the top teams in the West. Previously they have finished the regular season strong then fizzled out as soon as the pressure games roll around. This year they seem to have shaken off the pressure, no one is asking if they can win. No matter the reason its weight off the back of the Sharks. They quietly have one of the top offenses in the league while their solid defense and Antti Niemi continues to play like a top tier goalie after winning the cup with Chicago last year. Los Angeles has a solid team in front of Jonathan Quick. However, the loss of Kopitar will be fatal for the Kings. Their firepower doesn't match-up with the Kings, nor does their defense. Ill take the Sharks in 6 but thats on the high end, 5 wouldn't surprise me. 
Pick: San Jose in 6

#3 Detroit vs #6 Phoenix
This was the hardest series for me to pick and I can still see it going either way. Detroit comes into the playoffs as one of the two teams playing sub .500 hockey in their last ten games. They are loaded with experience though, many members still on the team from their championship in 2008. The down side to picking the Wings for me are the injuries and Howard in goal. Despite having a ring in his collection I am still not a believer in Howard, he is far to streaky and the Detroit offense is not what it once was. Zetterberg will miss at least game one if not more into the series, leaving Detroit without their leading scorer, one reason they struggled down the stretch. The Coyotes offer a very enticing pick for the upset. Led in goal by Ilya Bryzgalov Phoenix will be in just about every game defensively. The question for them is how do they get the wins. Shane Doan and Keith Yandle offer the offense for their team, problem being Yandle is a defenseman. Their experience against the Wings last year will help as will a strong home ice advantage as Glendale will be out in full force to keep their team in town. As hard as it is not to pick the upset ill take the Wings in 7.

#4 Anaheim vs #5 Nashville
This match-up should be the closest on a game to game basis. Both teams have separate strengths, Nashville relying on goaltending while Anaheim relies on the Getzlaf-Perry-Ryan line. Anaheim will be starting the series with Dan Ellis in net, he was wearing a Nashville jersey at this point last year, while Hiller and Emery recover from injuries. Nashville had only two players get to 50 points, Erat and Kostitsyn, and they will rely on them to score goals. The most I see Rinne shutting down Anaheim's top line for is one game, Ellis will play well enough to win. Ill take the Ducks in 5 games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Washington vs #8 New York
Washington to me right now is the San Jose of previous years. They play extremely well in the regular season then falter in the playoffs. This season though they changed their philosophy from all offense to a more balanced attack, still leading them to the top spot in the east. If it was not for the injury to Callahan I would have picked the Rangers in this series since I like their match-up in most cases. In goal Lundqvist is the clear favorite over the Capitals rookie Neuvrith. The Rangers offense also offered an excellent match-up before Callahan went down, he was previously their second leading goal scorer. The Rangers were also a team that had to hope for their playoff chances, benefiting from the Hurricanes loss on the next to last day of the year to get into the playoffs. I think the Caps will be just good enough to get by in this series in 7 but watch out if the Rangers can steal game one, MSG would be a scary place to play for the Caps. 

#2 Philadelphia vs #7 Buffalo
This game was the one that tore me the most because we all know how I feel about the Sabres and their bandwagon fans in Brockport. However, I cannot deny that they are the hottest team in the playoffs at 8-1-1 in their last ten and the Flyers are the coldest at 3-4-3. I have a hard time believing that the Flyers will just find their game since its the playoffs, especially if Pronger is out for any length of time. The Sabres may be young but have enough to figure out how to win the last half of the season. Miller will be the key to the series though since the Flyers will get their chances at times. If he can play as well as he has in the past playoffs ill take the Sabres in 6.

#3 Boston vs #6 Montreal
The Bruins and Canadians will play the most intense series of the first round. All of the Chara drama will appear when the series moves to Montreal but until then I think the Bruins will out work Montreal. Boston has what seems to me to be one of the most balanced teams in the league, Thomas in goal with his league leading numbers, Chara and Co on defense, and scorers like Krejki, Lucic, and Bergeron. Montreal matches up well with Price in net and Plekanek, Cammalleri, and Gionta up front. I think Boston wins the series, with help from their home ice advantage, in 7 games.

#4 Pittsburgh vs #5 Tampa Bay
Another series that should be tight all the way through. The Penguins have found a new identity since the loss of Crosby and Malkin. They have become one of the harder working teams in the league, ideal for playoff hockey. They have the "possibility" of getting Crosby back in the playoffs, as soon as this series as late as the potential finals, but regardless his return would light a spark. I would have to guess that the locker room is buzzing too with the mantra of lets keep its alive for Sid. They will need Fleury to play well to do so, but he has been excellent since the all-star break so it will be expected. Tampa brings a high powered offense to the match-up, featuring Stamkos and St. Louis, two near 100 point players, and Lecavalier. If Roloson can stand on his head and steal a game that the Lightning don't deserve to win then Tampa wins it but my guess is Penguins in 7.