NHL Playoffs.

The NHL regular season was pretty ho hum but the playoffs always offer a big payoff. That is for the first two weeks I watch until the weather gets good. So I probably won't be paying much attention when the Ducks beat the Penguins in the Finals.

East

Montreal Canadiens (1) vs. Boston Bruins (8)

The Habs won all 8 regular season meetings and I don't see that trend stopping. With Price in net the Habs are going to be very tough to beat this year.

Habs in 5

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (7)

After the Sens knocked out the Pens last year I said enjoy it while you can because nobody in the East will beat the Pens for the next 5 years and I stand by it. The Sens have no chance in this series. They made it to the finals last year on the hot play of Ray Emery, who is well on his way to the Swedish Elite League, and the leadership and play of Daniel Alfreddson. Alfie is their best player and is hurt as is their best checker, Mike Fisher. On top of that the Sens team defense is really bad this year, which means they can't stop the Pens high powered attack. This one will be ugly.

Penguins in 5

Washington Capitals (3) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (6)

The Caps are the hottest team in the east but momentum doesn't mean much once the playoffs start. They are slightly better than the Flyers though because the Flyers goalies are terrible. Ovechkin must be so excited to play against these guys he can't sleep at night.

Caps in 6

New Jersey Devils (4) vs. New York Rangers (5)

Martin Brodeur is the player who is most likely to carry his team on his back for 2 months in the east, even more so than Ovechkin, and he will have to because the Devils just can't score goals. Unfortunately for them they are playing a team with the second best goalie in the east in the Rangers. I think Chris Drury starts being Chris Drury again and that is the difference.

Rangers in 7

West

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Nashville Predators (8)

The Wings goaltending is what will kill them this spring. But not in this series.

Wings in 4

San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Calgary Flames (7)

The Sharks definitely have the talent to win but they have the talent to win every year so I'll believe it when I see it. I still think they are mentally weak but they are good enough to get by a one line Flames team

Sharks in 5

Minnesota Wild (3) vs. Colorado Avalanche (6)

This is the lowest profile series because either of these teams will get bounced in the second round. I think the Wild's team speed will get them by and Peter Forsberg will finally retire because teams will finally get it through their heads that he is just to banged up to be a high performer anymore.

Wild in 6

Anaheim Ducks (4) vs. Dallas Stars (5)

I really don't see how anyone can pick the Stars in this series with annual choker Marty Turco in net. The Ducks are just as good as they were last year and the Stars are just old.

Ducks in 5