Habs in Six

If the Canadiens can stay out of the penalty box too much, the series will be there's to lose. Kovalev, that means no diving. Ribeiro, that means taking out your frustration by playing well, not tripping your opponent in the last two minutes of the game. Komisarek, that means just taking less penalties. Besides, there has to be one upset. This pundit shit is easy.

If Kovalev and Koivu bring their playoff A games (I can't wait to find out what ailment Saku's been keeping under wraps until the playoffs are done - last time it was a bunch of broken ribs), the Habs have a decent shot. More importantly, Carolina can be scored on and the fact that playoff refs are calling penalties all over the place means both teams will have more than enough opportunity to put the puck in the net.

Rule #1: Playoff series involving Montreal are won and lost on goaltending, and if there's one country even more unlikely than France to succeed between the pipes when the chips are down, it's Switzerland. Cristobal Huet has shown that he can deal with the pressure of playing in Montreal; starting on the road is actually an unqualified advantage for a Hab goalie. When all is said and done, Martin Gerber will go back to making baby food and the Canadiens will move on, where they'll probably lose to...

Jersey. I don't know who's going to stop the Devils. Not Jaromir and friends. And Moi's right, it won't be the Sens (sorry Ballface, or whatever your name is). Perhaps the Wings, if they can bring 50+ shots per night.