Let's Get It On

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Is this thing on? Yeah? Okay.

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So, the regular season is done and, tomorrow, the 2008 race to Lord Stanley's Cup begins. If that fact doesn't make you positively giddy, then the return of Puck This! will surely make you rejoice. As always, this space is dusted off and taken of the shelf during the NHL's second season.

The first order of business, apart from apologizing for the ragged look & feel (I've lost the old template), is to make predictions for the first round.

Before getting to it, however, I want to remind my fellow contributors that I had a near perfect run in my predictions last year. This year, I will only accept perfection. Here we go...

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Detroit v. Nashville

I was really happy to see the Preds make it to the post-season. I think Barry Trotz, along with Guy Carbonneau, is a lock to be nominated for the Jack Adams trophy. This lineup has virtually no big names and, yet, they persevere.

That being said, the Wings have too much firepower up front for the Preds to upset them. Detroit's goaltending is shaky, but should hold up for one round. All bets are off after that, however.

Wings in 6


San Jose v. Calgary

The Sharks have been that favored team since opening day and they have had a great regular season. And, if you trust the simulation of EA Sports' NHL '08, they should make it all the way.

San Jose has a very well balanced team and seem to be firing on all cylinders at the right time. They also have a reputation for underachieving in the playoffs and a captain that usually goes MIA at this point in the year.

Calgary had a strong finish and will come at the Sharks with a lot of toughness. This will be a war in the trenches. In the end, the only thing that can save the Flames is Kipper and I don't think he's at his best.

It will be close.

Sharks in 7


Colorado v. Minnesota

I don't think there are two teams in the league that I have seen less of in the past year. Not knowing the character of a team makes predicting difficult.

The Wild have a team that is well-coached and is also tough. They play a great system and stick to it. The Avs, on the other hand, have tons of experience and a rejuvenated Theo.

I have a feeling that the likes of Sakic, Smyth and Forsberg will rise to the occasion and lead the way.

Avalanche in 6


Anaheim v. Dallas

This season, the Ducks were more like sharks. Not like their rivals to the South, but rather like pool sharks. I really get the feeling that they coasted through the regular season while waiting patiently for Selanne and Scott Niedermayer to return (and also to wait for Pronger's suspensions to be over). Then they went on a tear.

For their part, Dallas made a big move at the trade deadline in the hopes of getting to the level of the Sharks and Ducks. The payoff has yet to come. Brad Richards, however, always plays his best in the playoffs.

This is a tough one, but I think the Dirty Ducks will pound their way through this one.

Ducks in 7


EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Montreal v. Boston

It will be tough for the surprising Habs to take the Bruins seriously. Even if the entire organization is talking about being prudent, it's tough not be be confident when many players on the roster don't remember a time when Boston beat them.

Boston will come out hitting hard in the hopes of thwarting Montreal speed. They will also focus on Kovalev, especially in game 1.

The key to this series, however, will be officiating. If the referees call the games as they did in the regular season, then the Habs will have enough powerplay chances to nail the Bruins' coffin quickly. If they "let them play" (barf!), then the Habs will have to get creative.

I think the refs will suck, but that Les Glorieux will easily beat Boston's weak goaltending.

Canadiens in 5


Pittsburgh v. Ottawa

I don't care what anybody says, the Pens totally threw that last game in order to play the Sens in the first round. Why wouldn't you?

The Sens have been one of the worst teams in the league since the half way point of the season and they've just lost Alfredsson and Fischer. Their goaltending is bad and, apparently, there are huge issues in the dressing room.

They won't go quietly, though.

The Pens will need Fleury to stay on his hot streak in order to win. As has been the case in the final stretch, Pittsburgh has struggled when Sidney returned to the lineup. There will be an adjustment period, but nothing that will stop them from going through.

Penguins in 6


Washington v. Philadelphia

This is a series that I really want to watch.

Washington has been on fire since they acquired Huet and Fedorov. Ovechkin has been nothing short of amazing and has pretty much given himself the Hart trophy (Malkin's snub of the Calder makes him a long shot).

Philly has a great cast of characters, but can't seem to follow a script. They seem lost out there and can't generate any offence. For a team that has a weak defense, that's a problem.

Also a problem for Philly, the players let their wives hang out with Beeg. WTF is up with that?

Capitals in 6


New York v. New Jersey

This will be a goaltending battle.

The Rangers have been good of late and Jagr seems to have come out of his funk. They have a great core of verterans and some good young guys as well. Lost of scoring to go around.

The Devils, on the other hand, have had a terrible time putting the puck in the net and Brodeur has seemed human on some nights. They will need him to be in top shape in order to take this series.

I don't think that will happen. Sean Avery will crash Brodeur's net with impunity and will succeed in getting the future hall of famer to lose it.

New York in 4