They're back. I'm not ready. But it's time.
Eastern Conference
(1) BUFFALO Sabres vs. (8) NEW YORK Islanders
Series Breakdown
Buffalo (113 pts, 53-22-7), New York (92 pts, 40-30-12)
Season series: Sabres (3-1)
Let’s face it — Buffalo has been the number one team in the league for the majority of the regular season, playing a large chunk of that time with an AHL-laden roster. Now they’re completely healthy, minus Paul Gaustad. They shouldn’t have trouble dealing with an Islanders team that stumbled into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. The only way that I even see the Isles grabbing a game in this series is a miraculous comeback from Rick DiPietro, or if New York can draw Buffalo into a special teams game (and Tim Connolly’s return somehow has absolutely no affect on the power play). That’s a lot of if’s just to win a game. Buffalo should have this series easy.
Pick: Buffalo in 5
(2) NEW JERSEY Devils vs. (7) TAMPA BAY Lightning
Series Breakdown
New Jersey (107 pts, 49-24-9), Tampa Bay (93 pts, 44-33-5)
Season series: Tied (2-2)
Barring some crazy injury to Martin Brodeur, the Devils have a clear edge in this series. Tampa Bay has been up and down all season, while this has been one of Brodeur’s best — and maybe Hart-worthy — seasons. Lou Lamoriello’s head games are nothing new, so I don’t think the coaching change will throw the Devils off. Also, what’s made the Devils remarkable is how their defensemen, especially Brad Lukowich and Colin White, have really adjusted their game to become effective in the new NHL. Tampa Bay? No goaltending. Simple.
Pick: New Jersey in 4
(3) ATLANTA Thrashers vs. (6) NEW YORK Rangers
Series Breakdown
Atlanta (97 pts, 43-28-11), New York (94 pts, 42-30-10)
Season series: Thrashers (3-1)
Without a doubt, this is the series I’m least interested in, even though the league is probably very interested (just for TV ratings sake). While Kari Lehtonen has the ability to steal games on his own, I think New York’s offense combined with Henrik Lundqvist’s goaltending should be able to stop the Southern boys — even if it takes a while to do so.
Pick: New York in 6
(4) OTTAWA Senators vs. (5) PITTSBURGH Penguins
Series Breakdown
Ottawa (105 pts, 48-25-9), Pittsburgh (105 pts, 47-24-11)
Season series: Penguins (3-1)
This series has the potential to be the most exciting of the first round, emphasis on potential. Both teams favor an end-to-end style and have great, young offensive talent up front (think Dany Heatly, Sidney Crosby, Jason Spezza, Evgeni Malkin). And while Ottawa may be ranked fourth, its been playing its best hockey in the second half, much like Pittsburgh. But the playoffs are entirely different. You can remind Ottawa of playoff years past (see: Buffalo) with early series wins. Or you can remind Pittsburgh that they’ve never been here. I think one of the NBC commentators said it best: “Ottawa’s bad experience is better than Pittsburgh’s none.” Maybe that’s true, but Ottawa’s lack of playoff success and the possibility of shaky goaltending should balance out Pittsburgh’s youthful naivety of playing in the postseason and make for a long series.
Pick: Pittsburgh in 7
Western Conference
(1) DETROIT Red Wings vs. (8) CALGARY Flames
Series Breakdown
Detroit (113 pts, 50-19-13), Calgary (105 pts, 43-29-10)
Season series: Tied (2-2)
Will the Red Wings be again haunted by Alberta? Perhaps. And it will be tough for Detroit, who could be without Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. However, this Red Wings team is different than last season; there’s no more reliance on a crippled Steve Yzerman or worn-out-his-welcome Brendan Shanahan. Now there’s Todd Bertuzzi (to protect seven-year Pavel Datsyuk) and Dominik Hasek getting shutouts left and right. The Flames, much like the Islanders, stumbled their way into the playoffs after a late surge by the Avalanche. They have the offense, the defense, and the goaltending — but will they have it away from the Saddledome? And can they beat the Dominator? More questions than answers make this a longer series, but it should result in Detroit’s favor.
Pick: Detroit in 6
(2) ANAHEIM Ducks vs. (7) MINNESOTA Wild
Series Breakdown
Carolina (110 pts, 48-20-14), Buffalo (114 pts, 48-26-8)
Season series: Tied (2-2)
This has the possibility to be the most boring first-round series. By far. I haven’t been able to get into either of these teams this year. Anaheim has its dynamic duo on defense, Scott Niedermeyer and Chris Pronger, and always has Teemu Selanne. But the Wild have possibly the best coach in the playoffs, Jacques Lemaire. Well, I know I won’t be watching that much, but I’m leaning toward Anaheim here based on personnel.
Pick: Anaheim in 6
(3) VANCOUVER Canucks vs. (6) DALLAS Stars
Series Breakdown
Vancouver (105 pts, 49-26-7), Dallas (107 pts, 50-25-7)
Season series: Tied (2-2)
One of the best parts of the first round is the chance to see Roberto Luongo fight for the Stanley Cup for the first time. Night in and out, Luongo backstopped the Canucks to victory and made them a playoff team once again. And who doesn’t love Alain Vigneault? With Dallas, it’s always about Marty Turco: he has the great regular season numbers, and even NCAA championships, but he’s never had his A-game in the NHL’s second season. I’m not a believer that the Stars will shine.
Pick: Vancouver in 5
(4) NASHVILLE Predators vs. (5) SAN JOSE Sharks
Series Breakdown
Nashville (110 pts, 51-23-8), San Jose (107 pts, 51-26-5)
Season series: Predators (3-1)
If Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa is the most exciting series in the East, Nashville vs. San Jose definitely gets the billing in the West. From an offensive standpoint, both teams bring it in waves: Paul Kariya, Peter Forsberg, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau. Nashville narrowly missed winning the Western Conference. While neither of these teams deserves a first-round exit, I think the goaltending tandem of Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala is the difference in this series.
Pick: San Jose in 6