Breakdown of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Cheetah]

Round 1: I'll start with the East then update with West after.
Washington Capitals(1) vs Montreal Canadiens(8): Washington is the highest scoring team and I see them having no problems with Montreal. Washington in 4 games.
New Jersey Devils(2) vs Phily Flyers(7): New Jersey has a major advantage in the goalie matchup with Martin Brodeur. Devils in 6 games.
Buffalo Sabres(3) vs Boston Bruins(6): Boston has one of the worst offensive game in the league, yet they manage to make it to the playoffs. I don't see them getting any further though. Buffalo in 6 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins(4) vs Ottawa Senators(5): Two words Sidney Crosby. He is the Lebron James verison of hockey. He won it all last year and won the Olympics for Canada in the winter. He's someone you don't want to meet in the playoffs. Pittsburgh in 6 games.
Feel free to state your predictions and opinions.

[Cheetah]

Round 1 Western Conference
San Jose Sharks(1) vs Colorado Avalanche(8): San Jose one of the best power play teams, while Colorado is one of the most penalized teams. Sharks in 5 games.
Chicago Blackhawks(2) vs Nashville Predators(7): Chicago's defense is one of the best in the league. They allow the fewest shots of any team. Fewest shots=less chance to score. Chicago in 5 games.
Vancouver Canucks(3) vs Los Angeles Kings(6): My upset pick of the round. They are young and inexperience, but this is exactly what will get them through the next round. Kings in 7 games.
Phoenix Coyotes(4) vs Detroit Red Wings(5): Detroit is the hottest team and my pick as the dark horse team in the playoffs. Wings in 5 games.

[Cheetah]

Round 2 (I went 4 for 8 in round 1)
The greatest thing about sports is there is no guarantee.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens: Coming into the playoffs the Penguins were one of my favorites to win it all, and it still stays that way. After watching the Canadiens pull off the major upset, I knew this would be a cakewalk for the Penguins. The biggest question in this series is can the Canadiens stop Crosby, Malkin and Staal. Those three are responsible for 10 goals and 15 assists. I can see them stopping Crosby for 1 or 2 games but no more than that. Penguins in 6 games.

Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers: I didn't like Boston going into the playoffs and now I'm on the bandwagon. I thought Boston wouldn't be able to score enough points to keep up with the Devils, but their defense proved me wrong. Boston was really good on defense against the power plays and if they continue to do that they will win the series. Boston in 7 games.

San Jose Sharks vs Detroit Red Wings: This is probably going to be the best game this series. This series comes down to Sharks offense vs the Red Wings defense. I believe the Red Wings need to score first to win. Red Wings are not a team that can come back from a deficit very often. The Sharks need to continue putting pressure on the Red Wings offense by scoring on power plays. Sharks in 7 games.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks: The most dangerous thing someone can do is fall in love with a team after a series. I believe the Canucks looked good, a little too good. When a team blows out a less talented team, we tend to jump on the bandwagon. I'm not buying the Canucks, not yet at least. Blackhawks in 6 games.

[Ecstatic]

I still think the Wings will triumph like always

But then again I'm a Michigan native, so who knows xD

[Cheetah]

San Jose Sharks vs Chicago BlackHawks: This series will come down to puck possessions, power plays and goalie play. Both teams excel in both these categories. I like Sharks in goalie play, but I BlackHawks in everything else. Prediction: BlackHawks in 7 games.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Montreal Canadiens: For this series I will not be looking at the match ups. If Canadiens have taught me anything its that playoff seeds, statistics, and experience means nothing in the playoffs. I picked against them twice and I'm not going to make the same mistake a third time. Prediction: Canadiens in 7 games.

[l_l_l]

[Cheetah]

Don't count the Canadiens out yet. They were down 2 to 3 against the Penguins and came back to win the series.

[Cheetah]

Overall I went 6 out of 14 on my predictions. Your picks are as good as mine.
Prediction: BlackHawks in 5.