In the Spring of 1992, after saving my paper route money for weeks, I skipped school one day, woke up at 3AM and camped outside of Greengate Mall to be first in line for playoff tickets.  Roughly one week later, I sat with mixed emotions, front-row tickets in hand to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, as I watched my favorite player, Ronnie Francis, dismantle the Blackhawks in Game 4.  I was left holding a meaningless ticket to a game that would never be played.

Now, 21 years later, if all goes to plan, the Penguins and Blackhawks seem all but certain to meet once again in those Stanley Cup Finals.  If all goes to plan.  Which it obviously never does in the NHL playoffs.  Which is why predicting what will transpire over the next 2 months is perhaps the most challenging task a hockey writer can undertake.  Of the 8 opening round series, only the Pens and Hawks can be thought of as heavy favorites to advance.  Each of the other 6 series could be decided on a coin flip.  And as I witnessed up close in 1993, even an unbeatable Penguins squad could in fact lose to an eight-seeded Islanders…

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs New York Islanders (8)

Speaking of which… could it  happen again?  Could the most talented team in hockey stumble in the opening round against an Islanders team that is seemingly just happy to be there?  Despite the fact that history is on the Islanders side, it's just not going to happen this time around.  The '93 Pens were built on raw talent alone and had below average  goaltending in Tom Barrasso, particularly in 1993.  While Fleury's performance last year was strikingly similar, he seems to have righted the ship.  And even if he is distracted by becoming a new daddy this week, Pittsburgh can safely turn to veteran Thomas Vokoun and barely miss a step.  Make no mistake.  With all the talent and grit added to an already talented and gritty team, the one thing that can mess up the parade plans in Pittsburgh is goaltending.

On the other side of the rink, the Islanders are in fact a fun team to watch.  With John Tavares officially arriving as a legit superstar this season, and with the team boasting a variety of speedy forwards that can turn a game around in seconds, it should be an entertaining series to watch.  Against any other opponent in the East, New York would have a fighting chance.  But against this all-star team, they should just be happy to be there.

Prediction: Penguins in 5.

Montreal Canadiens (2) vs Ottawa Senators (7)

The Habs defaulted into the Division Champ slot, despite a late-season collapse.  The hockey world was drooling over a certain Montreal-Toronto first round matchup, but will have to "settle" for the first Senator-Canadiens playoff meeting since the 1920's.  This one has all the makings of an epic storyline and could easily go either way.  On one hand, Montreal took an impressive storybook rebound season and scarred it with some downright awful play as the final weeks played out.  They had just enough to hang on to the #2 seed, but left plenty of questions, starting with the mindset of Carey Price.  If he falters, as he clearly did in the final weeks, the Habs have no one to lean on.  This is where a guy like Jaroslav Halak would be a nice card to play. 

The Senators are the team that won't give up or go away no matter how many people believe they will or should.  Despite losing their most significant pieces, the Sens persisted and played a team game to keep themselves from sliding.  Kudos to the coaching squad and the leadership of Alfredsson to get them here.  Now what are they going to do with it?  In a series like this, it will likely be decided by goaltending.  In which case, with recent history in mind, the edge clearly has to go to Ottawa.

Prediction: Senators in 5.

Washington Capitals (3) vs New York Rangers (6)

As the Kings demonstrated last season, getting hot at the right time can be all it takes to roll your way through the NHL playoffs.  A month ago it seemed impossible that the Capitals would even qualify for the post-season.  Today, it's not uncommon to hear predictions of their first Stanley Cup party.  The turn around has been awesome to behold.  Mike Green, Niklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin have turned the calendar back a few years and are once again a trifecta of skill that no team seems capable of answering.  So can Lundqvist be the one to end this run?  Of all the series, this one may be the most difficult to predict.

The Rangers are a very different squad than the one that started the season with high expectations, only to fall upon hard times very quickly.  The team clearly missed the elements that left in the off season, such as Prust and Callahan.  Callahan is back now, which helped New York compile 10 wins in April to salvage the season.  However, without Staal in the lineup, the Rangers may not have enough to shut down the top unit of the Capitals.  Then again… there is Lundqvist. 

Prediction: Rangers in 7.

Boston Bruins (4) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (5)

It's hard to fathom how the Bruins fell to the fourth seed.  Despite playing in a division that sent 4 of 5 teams to the playoffs, Boston clearly  was the team to beat in this group.  They faltered greatly in April, and struggled to score goals.  With just a week left in the season, Milan Lucic was watching games from the press box.  These are not good signs for a team preparing for battle.  They will face a team with whom they share much recent history.  Kessel, Seguin, Rask, Hamilton… the storylines surrounding trades will be told, but the bottom line here is that the Leafs look good right now and the Bruins do not.

Toronto brings an imposing lineup of forwards, including the unstoppable-when-healthy Lupul/Kessel combo.  Youngster Nazim Kadri was one of the biggest surprises of the season, blossoming in the wake of the coaching/GM changes to find his way into the top 25 for points in the NHL this season.  James Reimer has also surprised many, giving the Leafs no reason to sell the farm for a shot at Luongo at the deadline.  That may change this summer if he falters, but for now, the Leafs look like a good bet to advance to Round 2 for the first time in many, many moons.

Prediction: Leafs in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs Minnesota Wild (8)

Congrats to the Wild for making the playoffs.

Prediction: Hawks in 5.

Anaheim Ducks (2) vs Detroit Redwings (7)

Congrats to the Redwings for… no.  I can't bring myself to complete that sentence.  Though, truly, just to be there for the 22nd straight season is something to behold.  But will it be enough to get them past the most underappreciated good team in the NHL right now?  The Ducks have put together an amazing rebound season, but have received very little attention in the wake of Chicago's epic winning streak in the West.  Nevertheless, this is a very good team having a very good season.  The Ducks are rolling three quality lines and getting scoring from each.  Selanne and Koivu, while playing on the third line, have combined for 20 goals alone.  Francois Beauchemin has re-emerged as a top-end and potential Norris Trophy nominee defenseman.  Anaheim also has 2 top-notch goalies on their hands should they need to choose.  And I haven't mentioned the resurgence of captain Ryan Getzlaf. 

The Wings have pulled off the unthinkable by clawing their way into the 7th seed, despite the decimation of their defense.  And they did it with impressive defense.  Jimmy Howard put up perhaps the best season of his career, at the most needed time.  But make no mistake.  This team belongs to Zetterberg and Datsyuk.  It's on them to determine how far the story can continue.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5.

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs San Jose Sharks (6)

There are a hundred ways to break down this series, but no matter how you approach it, it comes out a tie.  On offense, the edge has to go to San Jose.  Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, Havlat, etc. hold a slight edge over the likes of the Sedins, Kesler, Burrows and newcomer Roy.  The difference maker here may end up being defenseman turned winger Brent Burns.  On defense, Vancouver can boast of the advantage.  San Jose parted ways with Douglas Murray to make room for more speed and agility, but leaves them in envy of the like of Edler, Bieksa, and Hamhuis.  In net, it's a tie.  Niemi put up a quietly outstanding season, while Vancouver can turn to either Luongo or Schneider as the mood fits.  Either way, it's looking like a good series and a tough one to call.

While the Canucks have more or less rolled towards another division title, the Sharks have been on a roller coaster ride.  They started the season on fire, fell flat on their faces in March, and dominated in April.  At least they're hot at the right time.

Prediction: Sharks in 6.

St. Louis Blues (4) vs Los Angeles Kings (5)

If these teams played 100 more games this season, they would probably still finish within a point or two of each other in the standings.  Both teams boast of significant depth, great goaltending, and a bit of grit, which should make this the most interesting series to watch in the West. 

The Blues enter the playoffs in complete control on defense.  Elliot is stopping everything, thanks in large part to the stacked defense and stifling system that Coach Hitchcock brings wherever he goes.  No team can match the 3 pairings on the blue line that St. Louis can serve up.  Up front, the Blues can roll their lines with ease, with scoring threats on the ice at all times.

The Kings will have a tough go at defending their crown, but come with basically the same set of weapons that dominated last spring.  Their top two lines can match up evenly with anyone in the West, but they do get a little thin in terms of scoring beyond that.  On defense, Drew Doughty could ultimate be the factor that gets them past the first round. 

Predictions: Blues in 7.

STANLEY CUP PREDICTIONS

I'm typically uncomfortable going with the crowd with my picks.  After all, I did name the Sabres as my pre-season selection to hoist the Cup.  However, in this case, I can find no plausible piece of evidence to suggest that anyone can defeat the Penguins in a 7-game series.  All that's left to be decided is the name on the other end of that history.  To me, it will come down to the Central Division.  Hawks or Blues.  Ultimately, I see St. Louis getting to the finals.

Penguins over Blues in 5 games.  MVP honors this season will go to the Real Deal James Neal.  With Iginla, Malkin, Crosby, and Letang finishing 2nd through 5th in voting.

SORTING THROUGH THE ODDS

If you're still reading, most likely, it's because you're about to fill out your selections for a playoff pool.  So while you've gained nothing by reading one more article picking Pittsburgh to win it all, I will offer up my rankings from 1-16 of the teams in terms off their likelihood to hoist the Cup in 2003:

1. Pittsburgh - could sit their top power play unit for the game and still be the most talented team in the league

2. St. Louis - depth wins in the playoffs and this team has no weak line.  Deep at offense.  Deep at defense.  Deep in goal.

3. Chicago - that winning streak happened for a reason.  This team is the most talented in the West.  If Crawford can stay hot, they have a shot.

4. Toronto - time for crazy.  The Leafs just feel like a team ready to make a run.  I see them reaching the Conference Finals and becoming the only team to give the Pens a slight scare.

5. Anaheim - this is a different team since Boudreau took over last year. 

6. Boston - if they survive the opening round with the Leafs, it will be by rediscovering the scoring.  If that happens, they will make a run.

7. LA - they are the defending champs.  All comes down to Quick.

8. San Jose - Their biggest test may come in the opening round.  This team has to feel like the window is nearly closed.

9. Vancouver - see above.  If they can overcome San Jose, they have a shot at advancing.

10. New York Rangers - if they do go a few rounds, Lundqvist will be the hands-down MVP

11. Washington - if they can keep the magic rolling, this is a talented group of players

12. Ottawa - go ahead, keep doubting them.  If they go far enough, they may just add Spezza at some point.

13. Montreal - all about Price.

14. Detroit - the streak is a alive.  Just be happy with that.

15. Minnesota - back in the playoffs for one week.

16. New York Islanders - sorry about that first round draw.

The regular season has come to an end, but the fantasy hockey action continues, at least for a little while, on Draftstreet.  Draftstreet moves into 2-day game mode with the playoff schedule down to 3 or 4 games a night.  Your first chance to get in on the action is Wednesday/Thursday, with 7 of the 8 series in play.    Today's playoff preview will briefly spotlight each matchup and offer the Top Target and Best Value for each of the 16 playoff squads.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NYR vs OTT

This one features the top defensive team in the East (New York) versus the third best offense in the East (Ottawa).  Despite winning the conference, the Rangers haven't been as impressive lately as they were earlier in the season.  The same can be said for the Sens.  All told, this will be a fairly even matchup with a few stars worth targeting. 

Prediction: Senators with the upset in 6.

Top Targets:

OTT - Erik Karlsson (D) - obvious Norris pick, Karlsson was the leading defensive scorer by 25 points.  That's the most dominating performance we've seen at this position in a generation.

NYR - Henrik Lundqvist (G) - if anyone can stop Karlsson and the Sens, it's Lundqvist.  He will be solid.

Best Value:

OTT - Sergei Gonchar (D) - $7.3k - with all that Karlsson has done, the veteran has flown under the radar in a respectable comeback season.  He finished with 37 points, along with a healthy 115 blocked shots.

NYR - Brad Richards (C ) - $11.6k - Richards was so far down through the first 3/4 of the season, that his tremendous fourth quarter didn't provide enough time for his salary to over inflate.  Only Malkin had more points in the final 2 months of the season.

BOS vs WAS

It came down to the very end, but the Caps snuck into the playoffs, so can we forget about the regular season and assume all is well?  Probably not, as they've drawn a round with the defending Champs who still boast an impressively deep roster of offensive talent.  This should be a short series with the B's coming out looking stronger than they do going in.

Prediction: Bruins walk in 5

Top Targets:

BOS: Tyler Seguin (C ) - Last spring, Seguin emerged as the playoffs drew on by scoring some highlight reel goals, despite very limited ice time.  This time around, he'll be counted on to lead the offense in the Cup defense.

WAS: Nicklas Backstrom (C ) - if Backstrom hadn't returned in time, we'd probably be discussing the Sabres in the spot.  He'll top a point a game easily.

Best Value:

BOS: David Krejci (C ) - $11.4k - Similar to last season, Krejci has been up and down all season long.  He was an absolute beast come playoff time last year.  Expect another fine run.

WAS: Brooks Laich (C ) - $8.2k - Laich has historically stepped up his game in the post-season, averaging more points in playoff games than regular season throughout his career.

FLA vs NJ

It's been over a decade, but Florida is finally playing spring hockey.  It won't last long, so enjoy the next week.  Don't expect much scoring in the one, so from a fantasy perspective, this isn't a series to target.  The top two stars in New Jersey should provide some thrills.

Prediction: Devils in 6 uneventful games.

Top Targets:

FLA: Jason Garrison (D) - Garrison was a bit of a surprise this season with his 2.46 FPPG average on the back of 16 goals (3rd best at this position in the NHL).

NJ: Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) - Kovalchuk had a season of redemption, piling up 37 goals and 83 points in total.  He finished strong with 8 points in 5 games.

Best Value:

FLA: Radek Dvorak (RW) - $2.7k - he's practically free

NJ: Zach Parise (LW) - $10.5k - the other superstar on left wing in New Jersey is priced well to start the series.

PIT vs PHI

This is the series that will get all the attention in round 1, and rightfully so.  It's a stinkin' shame that one of these teams will not be playing in Round 2.  The winner will likely be lifting the Cup in June.  It's tough to pick just one player to target from both of these squads.  Put the names in a hat. 

Prediction: Pens in 6.  There's no stopping Crosby-Malkin-Staal down the middle.

Top Targets:

PIT: Sidney Crosby (C ) - Flip a coin (a three-sided one).  Crosby, Malkin, Neal.  Can't go wrong.

PHI: Claude Giroux (C ) - In any other matchup, Giroux would be the center getting all the press.  As it stands, he'll settle for a bronze in this discussion.

Best Value:

PIT: Pascal Dupuis (LW) - $11.6k - Despite heading into the playoffs on a league-best 17 game scoring streak, he remains a fair value.  Continue to play him until he proves us wrong.

PHI: Jaromir Jagr (RW) - $10.6k - he's slowed down significantly over the course of the year, but should have little trouble getting up for this challenge.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

VAN vs LA

Prior to the start of the season, I picked the Kings to represent the West in the finals.  It could still happen, but it's looking less likely.  The Canucks aren't the offensive dynamo that they once were, but were still a complete enough team to take another Presidents trophy.  Is Daniel Sedin healthy enough to lead the top line?  That may decide this one.

Prediction: Call me nuts, but LA in 7.

Top Targets:

VAN: Roberto Luongo (G) - When the offense shut down in the final month, Luongo stepped it up and dominated.

LA: Jonathan Quick (G) - it's a goalie competition in this series.  Quick has a great chance at the Vezina and no reason to doubt him now when the Canucks have struggled to score.

Best Value:

VAN: Ryan Kesler (C ) - $9.3k - His production dried up considerably in the 2nd half of this season, but it's playoff time.  Kesler will show.

LA: Jeff Carter (C ) - $7.6k - Assuming he's back to health in time, you won't find a better value than Carter in this price range.

STL vs SJ

The Blues are one of the most complete teams from top to bottom and are a defensive titan.  They allowed just 165 goals this season.  No other team was close.  Halak and Elliot combined for 15 shutouts, now the question is who will get the chance in the post-season?  Meanwhile, the Sharks have the same story as the Caps back East.  High expectations have been replaced with relief over post-season qualification.  Like the Caps, it will be short-lived.

Prediction: The Blues will squeeze the Sharks in 5 defensive battles.

Top Targets:

STL: Jaroslav Halak (G) - When the dust settles, expect Hitchcock to go with Halak between the pipes.  He won't disappoint.

SJ: Joe Pavelski (C ) - Last season, Pavelski was a beast in the playoffs.  He'll need to be that again if the Sharks are to have any hope of moving past the Blues.  He set a career high with 31 goals this season and will be good for a few more in round 1.

Best Value:

STL: Andy McDonald (C ) - $10.3k - He's produced at nearly a point a game over the last two season, but few have noticed due to the injuries. 

SJ: Dominic Moore (C ) - $4.5k - in order to make cap, you'll need a bargain bin pick or two.  Moore could not care less about the regular season.  This is his time.

PHO vs CHI

The biggest question in this series will be the health and effectiveness of Jonathan Toews.  If he's able to shake off the concussion and return to form quickly, the Hawks are a serious power.  Otherwise, the Coyotes could certainly match up well and win this one. 

Prediction: The Hawks in 7, with Toews gaining speed as it wears on.

Top Targets:

PHO: Mike Smith (G) - The hottest goalie to end the season was Smith.  He'll struggle to shut down the Hawks, but should give some solid games.

CHI: Jonathan Toews (C ) - If he's healthy, he may be the best player in the West.

Best Value:

PHO: Keith Yandle (D) - $7.6k - Yandle is one of the best options on defense in the league at any price.  This value is too good to pass up.

CHI: Marian Hossa (RW) - $11.2k - He led the Hawks in scoring, yet he's cheaper than 4 other forwards on Chicago.

NAS vs DET

Much like the East, the 4-5 matchup in the West is the series to watch in Round 1.  And like the Philly-Pittsburgh showdown, there's a good chance the winner of this epic showdown will represent the West in the finals.  The Preds are extremely deep at all positions, though they lack a superstar on offense.  The Wings will lean on Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Lidstrom, as they have for years.

Prediction: Nashville in 5.

Top Targets:

NAS: Shea Weber (D) - 19 goals from a defenseman is worth taking notice of.  His canon on the point will cause problems for Howard.

DET: Pavel Datsyuk (LW) - all hopes for success in Detroit start with their top gun.

Best Value:

NAS: Mike Fisher (C ) - $9.5k - Fisher has a history of elevating his game in the post-season. 

DET: Valtteri Filppula (C ) - $7.9k - Filppula has quietly put together a solid season, yet remains a value under 8k.

And for the record, my Cup prediction:  Pittsburgh over Nashville.

For more insight into daily fantasy sports, check out more of my posts on http://www.Rotogrinders.com.

Also, if you want to try daily fantasy hockey on Draftstreet, use the promo code "LANDSHARK" for a bonus on your deposit.

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With just 2 or 3 games left to be played, it's fair to say that the battle for the Conn Smythe Trophy has been effectively narrowed down to 3 candidates.  At this point, the winner will largely be determined by which team can win 2 more games.

Before we meet the candidates, let's review our history.  Only 1 man in the last 20 years has won the award while playing for the losing team.  There is nothing that suggests any of the candidates have risen so far above that they could pull off that coupe this season.  A quick look at the last 10 winners shows that 3 have gone to goalies, 3 have gone to defensemen, and 4 have gone to forwards.  The last 3 winners have been forwards.  No defenseman can be considered a viable option at this point.  So perhaps, it's time for a goalie to take the crown?  Only if one can be found worthy.  As it so happens, there is such a one.

Here are the front runners heading into Game 5:

Tim Thomas (G-BOS) - Thomas is a lock in for the Vezina Trophy for his work in the regular season.  Apparently, he wasn't satisfied with adding just 1 more trophy to his case.  He has kept his amazing numbers in tact, despite playing behind what can only be described as an average defense.  Among goalies with 4 or more games played this postseason, he sits first in GAA (2.11), first in save percentage (.936) and tied for first in shutouts (3).  Should he finish first in wins (in other words, the magic 16), it will be hard to argue against him as this year's leading candidate.   Of the four playoffs opponents, only Tampa managed to show any sign of weakness in his game.  Versus Montreal, Philadelphia, and now Vancouver, Thomas has proven to be single most dependable player for Boston.

David Krejci (F-BOS) - While the support for Thomas is impressive, a strong case can certainly be made for David Krejci.  Following a slow start in the Montreal series, Krejci has been piling up the offense for Boston, scoring points in 12 of 15 games.  He leads the NHL in post season points with 22 and goals with 11.  Krejci has also had a knack for drawing penalties at key points in games by virtue of his incredible puck possession skills. 

Ryan Kesler (F-VAN) - The case for Kesler heading into the finals was hard to dispute.  He entered the series with 18 points in 18 games, heavily padded by his dominating performance against Nashville in Round 2.  The last 3 games have not helped his cause, however, as he's without a point since his assist in game 1.  Still, it's hard to argue with his numbers, as he is near the top in the league in goals (7), points (19), PIMs (43), hits (69) and game winners (2).  It's also hard to find another Canuck that has been more valuable to his team throughout the postseason run.  The case might have been made for Luongo, but the last two outings have effectively quieted that campaign.  Should Vancouver claim their first ever Cup next week, Kesler should be the man receiving this trophy.

It's hard to imagine any other player entering the conversation at this point, short of an incredible run in the final few games.  It would take a flurry of goals by either Sedin to enter the conversation and overtake Kesler on the Vancouver side.  It would take a couple of shutouts by Luongo to seriously consider him worthy of the prize.  On the Boston side, you could argue a case for Bergeron, or perhaps Chara, but neither can stand up to what Thomas and Krejci have done.

So who will win?   --- This much is clear.  If Vancouver wins the cup, Kesler takes the Conn Smythe hands down.  If Boston completes their comeback, the 2010-11 season will long be remembered as the season of Tim Thomas.

Goalie Notes:

• Carey Price (MON) was outstanding, stopping all 31 shots he faced to beat Boston in Game 1
• Ryan Miller (BUF) stopped all 35 shots to shutout the Flyers in Game 1
• Sergei Bobrovsky (PHI) allowed just 1 goal on 26 shots in the loss to Buffalo

Skater Notes:

• Brian Gionta (MON) kicked off the playoffs with a 2-goal performance
• Scott Gomez (MON) assisted on both of Gionta's goals
• Patrick Kaleta (BUF) scored the only goal of the game for Buffalo in the 1-0 win against Philly
• Joe Pavelski (SJ) scored the OT winner for the Sharks
• Ryan Clowe (SJ) finished with 3 assists on the night

Injury Update:

• Henrik Zetterberg (DET) remains doubtful for game 2 on Saturday
• Justin Williams (LA) made his return for LA last night

Recommended Starting Goalies for Daily Fantasy Hockey Tonight:

Draftstreet is taking a unique approach to their "daily" hockey offering in the playoffs.  They're stretching the contest to cover 2 days at a time, allowing more games to be included.  I like the approach, as it offers a wider selection of players every day. 

If you're new to Draftstreet, use promo code "LANDSHARK" for a 30% bonus on your first deposit.

Here are my goalie picks for today's contest (covering today and tomorrow):

1. Luongo (VAN) vs CHI -- The Canucks appear unstoppable right now.  Luongo looks to be on top of his game right now.

2. Fleury (PIT) vs TB -- The Pens may be the best defensive team in the playoffs, and Fleury was stellar in game 1.

3. Thomas (BOS) vs MON -- Price got the better of him in game 1, but I expect a full recovery on Saturday.

If you followed March Madness this spring, you know that this year was a wide open field and resulted in some big time surprises all the way to the Finals.  Looking at the field for this year's NHL Stanley Cup Finals, you get the sense that  maybe there's a theme for 2011.  Consider the following:

• Last year's champs defaulted into the final spot in the West

• The best team in the East all season (Philly) collapsed down the stretch and is back to questioning their goaltending

• The Pens are still facing their first Spring without their top 2 players (maybe)

• Several other teams also enter the dance with their top players on the shelf (Detroit - Zetterberg?, Buffalo - Roy, Anaheim - top 2 goalies are out, Washington - no telling how healthy Semin and Green are right now, Ranger - Callahan, LA - Kopitar...)

• San Jose is looking good, but how is that different than any other season in the past 10 years?

Just about the only team that enters the playoffs with virtually nothing to worry about is the Vancouver Canucks… which may make them the team most likely to suffer a shocking first round upset (ala Capitals last spring).  It's tough to make any sense out of what will happen in the next two months, but we're here to try. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Washington Capitals (1) -vs- NY Rangers (8)

Believe it or not, this may be the toughest series to call for me, and here's why:  The Capitals finished as the top team in the East again, though they took a very different path getting there this season.  You'll read how Coach Boudreau has transformed this team into a defensive juggernaut.  That hype is overblown.  There are all kinds of questions surrounding the goaltending on this team.  Their best option statistically this season was Braden Holtby, and there's no indication that he'll be in the mix.  Varlamov and Neuvirth have much to prove as a starting goalie.  And despite the notion that the Caps are an offensive force, they have no balance.  They finished the season with just 3 20-goal scorers and a host of injury concerns.

Two weeks ago, I would have felt confident picking the Rangers to upset the Caps in this round, based on their all-around team play, and the man in the cage.  However, the loss of Callahan is huge.  Perhaps bigger than the loss of Kopitar in LA.  Even so, this Rangers team is built for ugly, boring playoff hockey. 

Outlook: Could easily go either way, but I'm looking for a repeat of last year's early exit.  Rangers in 6.

Philadelphia Flyers (2) -vs- Buffalo Sabres (7)

Here is another matchup that shouldn't be hard to call, but is.  A few months back, the Flyers were on top of the league and the Sabres were an afterthought for the playoff picture.  The teams have been moving in opposite directions since.  Philadelphia started the season with a dilemma of which hot goalie to start each night, as Bobrovsky and Boucher exchanged outstanding performances.  The two have slid down to mediocrity in the past two months, causing the Flyers to bring Leighton back into the picture in recent weeks.  Outside of goaltending, there are very few questions worth considering with the Flyers lineup.  No team can touch Philly in terms of total depth, both in scoring, and in defensive play.  This team is solid and balanced from top to bottom, with 6 20-goal scorers, and one more at 19.

The factor that gives Sabres fans hope is consistency across the roster.  That is, everyone can score a little, but nobody scores a lot.  An impressive 11 players topped 10 goals this season, but only Vanek managed more than 52 points on the year.  The assumption that this team relies on Miller is false, they've done just as well (if not better) with Enroth filling in this season, as they have with Miller.  I'm not doubting that Miller can be the Halak of 2011, but don't assume it's a no-brainer that he's the team's MVP this spring.

Outlook: Any objective look at these teams has to reach the conclusion that Philly just has far more talent than the Sabres.  If Roy were healthy, this may be more of a discussion.  Philadelphia in 5.

Boston Bruins (3) -vs- Montreal Canadiens (6)

I'm still having a hard time processing the fact that Montreal won two rounds last spring, so I can't just write them off.  However, please tell me what there is to be excited about with this team.   The top scorer on the team this year was Tomas Plekanec with a whopping 57 points.  The bright side, at least for Round 1, is that the Bruins top scorers only reached 62 points.  Just by the numbers, the Bruins are the superior team.   Boston outscored Montreal by 30 goals, and they allowed 14 fewer on the season. 

In terms of goaltending, you obviously know what to expect in Boston.  Thomas has been in a class by himself all season long.  Should he falter, Rask is a fine backup plan.  With Price, Montreal fans have to be cautiously optimistic that he can carry his fine regular season play into April and perhaps May.  No guarantees there.

Outlook: If you followed the head-to-head matchups between these teams, you know that anything can happen.  So make this the 3rd series in the East that the coin toss can decide.  I'm a little more confident on this one in leaning towards the Bruins.  Boston in 6.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) -vs- Tampa Bay Lightning (5)

These are not your father's Pittsburgh Penguins.  For two decades now, Penguin fans have been accustomed to run and gun, entertaining hockey with lots and lots of goals scored.  Defense was an afterthought.  Switch those sweaters with a mid-90's Devils jersey this year and nobody would blink an eye.  This team is all about defense right now, by necessity.  Having seen every Pens game this season, I can even throw out the word… boring.  And that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the team continues to kill time waiting for Sid to return. 

Tampa Bay is a team changing identities, following a decade of complete mismanagement.  The question is, are they ready yet to prove they are for real?  The offense relies far too heavily on St. Louis and Stamkos (and even Stamkos has been MIA in recent weeks).  The team doesn't have the defense, and nowhere near the goaltending that the Pens bring to the series.  Tampa allowed 41 more goals than the Pens this season.

Outlook: The Pens are certainly capable of bailing out early this spring, as the goals have been hard to come by lately.  They may have fallen into the best possible matchup for them, as the teams below Tampa all put up more of a fight defensively.  Unless Crosby returns soon, I can't see Pittsburgh playing into May; however, I do see them advancing to round 2.  Pittsburgh in 5.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Vancouver Canucks (1) -vs- Chicago Blackhawks (8)

If there is one team that should be a no brainer in round 1, it's the Vancouver Canucks.  The only cause for thinking this thing through any further is the fact that their opponent took them out 2 springs in a row now.  Will Luongo be thinking about that entering action this week, or is this just a stop on the way to the Finals?   Vancouver boasts three of the top forwards in the game today with the Sedins and Kesler.    Injuries this season have given them a chance to flaunt their incredible depth on defense.  I just can't see this team losing right now.

Chicago limped into the playoffs by default with a Dallas loss on the last night of the season.  Despite still possessing a talented stable of forwards, they just don't seem to be a team with the desire to get back to the top, back-to-back.

Outlook: Vancouver in 5.

San Jose Sharks (2) -vs- Los Angeles Kings (7)

At the start of the season, I picked LA to make it to the Finals.  I was still optimistic that my pick was worth justifying up until Kopitar went down a few weeks back.  Without their superstar up front, the Kings just don't have the firepower to compete, particularly with a team like San Jose.  LA should have Justin Williams returning shortly, which will give some cause for help, but it just won't be enough.

The Sharks are always a tough pick to justify, just based on their history of disappointment.  They seem to be on solid ground coming down the stretch.  They also have good balance in their scoring, with 7 20-goal men this season.  And don't forget that last year's Cup winning goalie has the crease for the Sharks.

Outlook:  Compared to the decisions back East, this one seems somewhat obvious:  San Jose in 5.

Detroit Redwings (3) -vs- Phoenix Coyotes (6)

Since the lockout, the 6th seeded teams have won more Round 1 matchups than the favored 3rd seeds.  That could easily happen in either conference again this year, and I'm picking it to come true out West.  And for me, the biggest reason is named Ilya Bryzgalov.  If this series comes down to a goaltending duel, Phoenix walks away with the win for sure.  Howard has proven to be a good starter over the past two years, but has a ways to go before entering the conversation against what Bryzgalov has proven. 

While just one Phoenix forward reached 20 goals (just barely), there were a gaggle of others that fell just short.  11 players topped the 10 goal mark, and 8 of them topped 15.  Another interesting (and meaningless) stat is that four of those guys had more goals than assists.  The Coyotes don't look great doing it, but they just get it done.

Detroit may start the series without Zetterberg and/or Kronwall.  Not bad, considering the injuries they battled through earlier in 2011.  No doubt this is a good team and could go deep. 

Outlook: Just feels like an upset to me.  Phoenix in 6.

Anaheim Ducks (4) -vs- Nashville Predators (5)

Time to get that coin back out of your pocket if you're looking to pick a winner here.  While neither team looks particularly fierce on paper, you probably wouldn't want to face either one of them right now either.  Both teams have won 7 of 10 down the stretch.  With Anaheim, you have perhaps the best top 4 forwards on an NHL roster.  The line of Perry, Getzlaf, and Ryan, when together, is unbeatable.  Add in Selanne, and you've got a top-heavy Anaheim offense that can score.  The problem here is depth.  And goaltending.  While they've gotten good results from their goalies this season, health is the factor right now with Hiller and Emery on the shelf to start to series.  That leaves Ellis with the reigns, and cause for concerns in So Cal.

Nashville has no such concerns regarding their goalie situation.  While he won't win it, Rinne should be among the finalists for the Vezina.  And while he won't win it, Trotz should get plenty of due consideration for coach of the year.  He continues to get results from a team that on paper looks like a bottom-feeder.  The average fan would be hard pressed to name a single forward on this roster.  Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat top out the scoring at 50 points.  The strength of this lineup lies in what may be the best defense in the league.  Weber, Suter, Franson, Klein, etc. provide as much offensive chances from the back end as the Nashville forwards provide up front.

Outlook: Too close to call with any certainty, but the Ducks typically win in the Spring, while the Preds never do.  Anaheim in 7.

Finals Predictions

Just like with the NCAA tournie, all bets are off if you're trying to predict the two teams who will be left standing in June.  While I expect plenty of upsets along the way, I'm leaning on a safer bet for my two finalists.  I'm expecting the Flyers to come out of the East for the 2nd straight season to face the Canucks in Round 4. 

Outlook: Flyers win the Cup in 6.