My Playoff Picks - Dan

NYR over OTT in 6
These two teams are very well coached, but after that all the advantages go to NY. Goaltender Henrik Lundquist hasn't been good in the postseason but has been playing a a Vezina Trophy level all year. This will be a hard fought series, filled with close games but I think the Blueshirts will pull it off. Look for Ryan Callahan to become a clutch playoff performer.

BOS over WAS in 5
Chara and Sidenberg and Bergeron will make Ovie's life miserable and give him fits. Overall Boston is a better team plain and simple.

NJ over FLA in 7
This series could go either way. The panthers are back in the playoffs for the first time since I was in middle school and might ride an emotional high to a first round victory. The devils have some scoring punch with their big guns flying high, and some team toughness that does well in the playoffs. I have to give the goaltending edge to Broduer and the Devils. This might be his last go around for a cup.

PIT over PHI in 7
This could shape up to be one heck of a series. Not only do the teams not like each other, but they are two really strong hockey clubs. The Pens might have the more potent star power with Crosby, Staal, Malkin, and Letang but the Flyers have Giroux, Briere(hurt), Jagr, and some young stars wearing their crest on their chest. The Pens have the edge in net because Fleury has already won a cup and has proven he can steal a series for his team. Bryzgolov is no slouch but he hasn't proven anything in the post season.

Western Conference

Van over LA in 6
Vancouver has something to prove after last years debacle in the final. They should be all over LA in this series. The two games LA wins will be at home and close. Too bad for LA to get this match up because I like their goaltender (Quick, who should win the Vezina) and their Captain (Brown, dude's a gamer).

STL over SJ in 6
The blues have a lot of young and energetic talent. They play the game the right way all over the rink, and they have not one but two goalies who can shutout a team on any night. Halak and Elliot have been the leagues best tandem all season. If this series goes seven games SJ might sneak by on experience. Side note, look for Alex Pietrangelo to have a coming out party for STL.

CHI over PHX in 6
The hawks will be carried by the emotion of their Captain Jonathan Toews coming back to the lineup and beat the desert dogs. The boys from the windy city are playoff hardened and are poised to make a run as long as their goal tending holds.

NSH over DET in 7
This might be the best series of the first round. Nashville management is all in for a cup run this year by making deals for rental players and giving up picks and prospects to do so. Nashville has the team defense and goaltending to hold Detroit's vaunted attack at bay for seven games. But do they have enough scoring?