Well, I'm not gonna wait until Tuesday like the rest of the world, I am going to give instant analysis as to what I think is going to happen in the first round
Western Conference
(1)San Jose Sharks vs (8)Colorado Avalanche
My Prediction: Sharks in 6
The Sharks have once again gained the number one seed in the West and are trying to get rid of the demons of Stanley Cup Playoffs past by getting past the second round. The Sharks should be able to get through a young Avalanche team who was a bit of a surprise on making it to the playoffs. The thing that I will be watching is if Joe Thornton will actually perform in the playoffs. Another question is Nabakov, has he recovered from the destruction of Canada vs Russia, if not, the Sharks may not go that far.
The Avalanche clinched in the last week of the season and were too far back to challenge for a higher seed, expect them to try there best to get this to seven games but the Av's are too inexperienced to really make an impact this year.
(2)Chicago Blackhawks vs (7)Nashville Predators
My Prediction: Hawks in 5
Chicago has been extremely good this season, the only question that anyone is going to have about this team is there goal tending. Antti Niemi looks like he has been giving the starter job, however, no playoff experience and will he be able to stand the increase in intensity.
Nashville had a 100 point season but nothing about them has really stood out. They had a good season but they don't have what it takes to get deep in the playoffs. They have to get a game breaker before they can make a move forward in the playoffs.
(3)Vancouver Canucks vs (6)Los Angeles Kings
My Prediction: Canucks in 6
For the first time in a while, the Canucks do not need to completely rely on Roberto Luongo to win them games. To be completely honest, Luongo has been so-so since winning gold at the Olympics, however the intensity will pick up and expect Luongo's play to as well. The Canucks also have the second highest scoring team in the NHL this season and Henrik Sedin has won the second piece of major hardware for the Canucks this season having won the Art Ross trophy for most points in a season. The Canucks are wanting to make a big playoff run and if Luongo is the biggest problem right now, I'm not sure about you but I would be pretty confident.
The Kings have made the postseason for the first time since the lockout and are looking to make some waves. However they face the same problem as the Colorado Avalanche, not enough experience. The Kings have a good team but they won't be able to compete, especially if Luongo goes on a hot streak.
(4)Phoenix Coyotes vs (5)Detroit Red Wings
My Prediction: Wings in 6
The Phoenix Coyotes have been the Cindarella story of the NHL this season. However, with their first round match up, the clock has struck midnight. The Coyotes are in the inexperience group that the Av's and Kings are in. The one factor the Coyotes do have is goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. If the Coyotes win the series, look to Bryzgalov being a huge factor.
Detroit comes into the playoffs like a bat out of hell having been on fire since the Olympic break. There is only two questions that I have with the Wings.
1. How is Jimmy Howard going to do since he has no playoff experience?
2. Is the results of this season showing there age or were they really suffering badly from injuries?
If they answer these questions easily, they can go far, if not they wont make it past the second round.
Eastern Conference
(1)Washington Capitals vs (8) Montreal Canadiens
My Prediction: Caps in 4
This is really simple, Washington is too fast, too big, and too strong. And I almost forgot, the Capitals also have Alexander Ovechkin.
The only way the Habs win this series is Jaroslav Halak, if he can pull off this miracle, the ghost may have finally made there way from the Forum,
(2)New Jersey Devils vs (7)Philadelphia Flyers
My Prediction: Devils in 6
The Devils won the #2 seed in there last game over Buffalo, however they are not going to do too much beyond the first round. The Devils have yet to see the conference finals since the lock out and Brodeur is now in the dimming of his career. They may make the second round but not much beyond that.
The Flyers as always have a big, physical team. If they want to beat New Jersey they are going to have to disrupt Parise and Elias and get bodies in front of Brodeur.
(3)Buffalo Sabers vs (6)Boston Bruins
My Prediction: Sabers in 6
This series is the battle of the goaltenders and Buffalo Sabers goalie Ryan Miller is trying to get the bitter silver medal taste out of his mouth. Expect Miller to carry the Sabers deep in the playoffs.
Tuukka Rask is going to be the goalie for the Bruins in the playoffs, and if the Bruins want to win, Rask is going to have to match Miller save for save. I think this will be the best first round match up and will not be surprised if it goes seven.
(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators
My Prediction: Penguins in 6
The defending Stanley Cup Champions are coming in looking to repeat, they finished second in their division behind the New Jersey Devils. The one problem they have is that they are not as deep as years past. They may make it past Ottawa but I don't see them repeating right now.
Ottawa gets somewhat of a short end of the stick here, they really only have one line and one line teams in the playoffs don't usually go that far in the playoffs.
The Awards
Number Awards (Known at end of regular season)
Presidents Trophy: Washington Capitals - 121 Pts
Art Ross Trophy: Henrik Sedin (VAN) - 112 Pts
Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos (TB) & Sidney Crosby (PIT) - 51
William H. Jennings Award (Fewest Goals Against Team): New Jersey Devils - 191
Voted Awards
All my finalist are presented in the order in which I would vote
Voted on by the General Managers of the NHL
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
My Finalist : Ilya Bryzglov (PHX), Ryan Miller (BUF), Martin Brodeur (NJ)
Who Will Win: Ryan Miller (BUF)
This is really a two horse race in my mind, Bryzgalov and Miller. I expect Miller to get more respect because he is the only reason the Sabers are where they are. Same can be said about Bryzgalov but east tend to get some favoritism in this.
Brodeur gets in on good numbers across the board.
Voted on by the Media
Jack Adams Award (Best Coach)
My Finalists: Dave Tippett (PHX), Joe Sacco (COL), Lindy Ruff (BUF)
Who Will Win: Dave Tippett (PHX)
Tippett has taken a team that was in mediocrity and gave the franchise it's first 100 point season and set a franchise record in wins. Sacco led a rebuilding Avalanche squad to a surprising playoff birth. Lindy Ruff gets in on the fact that as the longest serving coach, he still has the teams ear and lead them to a division championship.
Lady Byng Trophy (Most Gentlemanly Player)
Who cares about this one, all it says is I'm a goody-two-shoes.
Norris Trophy (Best Defenceman)
My Finalists: Mike Green (WAS), Duncan Keith (CHI), Drew Doughty (LAK)
Who Will Win: Mike Green (WAS)
Mike Green once again led all defensemen in points, and his +/- is excellent, this is my lock for the awards. Keith and Doughty also had good seasons but they just weren't as good as Green's.
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
My Finalists: Alex Burrows (VAN), Kris Versteeg (CHI), Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Who Will Win: Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
The Only reason I say Datsyuk will win is because of Eastern media. Burrows tied for league lead in short handed goals, has the fewest amount of PP goals amongst 30+ goal scorers and ended the season with a +/- of +34, 6th amongst forwards. Versteeg was just consistant all year long and don't expect much credit for him in this area.
Calder Memorial Trophy (Best Rookie)
My Finalists: Tyler Myers (BUF), Matt Duchene (COL), John Tavares(NYI)
Who Will Win: Tyler Myers (BUF)
The 6'8 d-man for Buffalo was a tower of power on the blue line. Duchene lead all rookies in points and helped the surprise Avalanche to a playoff spot. Tavares was second in rookie points and that is what is mainly focused on in the Calder trophy.
King Clancy Trophy (A Player who makes a difference in the community)
The guys who should win this are Henrik and Daniel Sedin. They both donated $1.5 million to a children's hospital in British Columbia.
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
My Finalists: Henrik Sedin (VAN), Alexander Ovechkin (WAS), Ilya Bryzgalov (PHX)
Who Will Win: Alexander Ovechkin (WAS)
I say Ovechkin will win due to the Eastern bias around the writers who don't stay up to watch the Coyotes or Canucks. Henrik led the league in points and was the reason why the Canucks finished where they did. Bryzgalov was rock solid all season and once again, Coyotes fans wouldn't want to think where they would be if they didn't have Bryzgalov.
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