NHL Playoff Preview

Yeah, you read that right. Sure it may not be the most popular sport in America any more, (cue the way overplayed "I can't even find that channel on my TV" joke), but the NHL playoffs provide great games. Each one is filled with drama and fast paced excitement, its hard not to fall for them this time of year. My suggestion is to pick a team, whatever is closest to you or where you grew up, and watch a game or two. You will get sucked right in.

Anyways, on the heels of my sister winning our NCAA Pool with little knowledge of college basketball, I figured I might as well give predicting the NHL playoffs a shot. For the record, I have watched approximately 2 games combined this year and read maybe 4 articles (3 in the last hour). But if Lauren Conrad can do an NHL playoffs blog, then I certainly can.

Today, the Eastern Conference

1 Montreal Canadians vs. 8 Boston Bruins

Everything tells me this is gonna be a massacre. Montreal has beaten Boston 8 straight times this year. 11 times if you go back to last year. It seems as if Boston had a pretty decent season and just getting to the playoffs was an accomplishment for them. This is the Mount St. Mary's of the playoffs.

Goalies: Now, as you have seen in the baseball previews, I value good pitching above anything else. In hockey, its all about which goaltender is on a roll. This series features Montreal's rookie sensation Cary Price against Boston's Tim Thomas. The Canadians get the point here, since I have actually heard of their goalie. I would be leery on resting my playoff hopes with a rookie keeper going further, but first round, its in the bag.

Prediction: Montreal in 5. Boston will steal one at home, but thats about it.

2 Pittsburgh Penguins versus 7 Ottawa Senators

Remeber how the Senators got really hot last year and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals? No? Yeah, neither does anyone else.

This Penguins team is loaded. And by loaded I mean, I can list a bunch of players on that team. Players that are really amazing. They go deeper than just NHL Savior Sidney Crosby. When He was injured (only to rise again 3 days later), Malkin took off, and ended up finishing second in points in the league. They also have Hossa, who will be a force. Ottawa meanwhile is dealing with some rough injuries.

Goalies: Ottawa rode Ray Emery to the finals last year. Remember him? He was a feel good story (because he's black! and plays hockey!) last year. This year he has been a trainwreck, feuding with everyone as well as dealing with being the only black man in Canada. He has started half the games this year. Pens goalie is Ty Conklin, who finished the year second in save percentage.

Prediction: Penguins in 4. Get out your brooms.

3 Washington Capitols vs. 6 Philladelphia Flyers

Even the most casual hockey fan knows Alexander Ovechkin. Now in his third year, he is scoring goals at one of the fastest rates in history. This series itself should be fun. Both teams finished at the bottom of the conference last year. And both teams ended the year on a run. Flyers going 7-1-1 and the Capitols winning 11 of their last 12.

Goalies: Martin Biron against Cristobal Huel. Never head of either one, but a quick check on ESPN.com says that Washington's Huel finished in the top ten in Goals Against.

Prediction: When in doubt, go with the team that has the best player and best goalie. I am going to take the Capitols in 7.

4 New Jersey Devils vs. 5 New York Rangers

Separated by a river, these teams should know each other well. The Devils won in a 3-2 shoot out on Sunday, thus winning home ice advantage for the series, which may be a deciding factor. Both teams are loaded with "names" which will help me a ton while watching. The Rangers have a ton of playoff experience in Gomez, Shanahan, Jagr, and Drury.

Goalies: This is a matchup that features two of the best goalies in the league. New York has Lundgvist, the third year Swedish sensation. New Jersey has playoff veteran, and all time great Martin Brodeur.

Prediction: The Stalney Cup Playoffs are always full of upsets. So I can't go through a whole conference and pick not a single one. Rangers in 6.