After more than six months of hockey, the National Hockey League playoffs are finally here. They start Wednesday, April 14.
For those new to the sport, the regular-season records were changed following the 2004-05 lockout to include overtime losses instead of ties which no longer exist. After a scoreless overtime period, the game is determined in a shootout.
However, in the playoffs, overtime periods will ensue until a winner emerges.
Highest Seed Remaining Advances Against Lowest Seed in Second Round
Another interesting tidbit is after the first round is over, the highest seed plays the lowest seed. For example last year, the 8 Anaheim Ducks, who ousted the 1 San Jose Sharks in the first round, played the 2 Detroit Red Wings in the second round.
Going by regular-season success, the Washington Capitals (54-15-13) and San Jose Sharks (51-20-11) are the favorites to reach the Stanley Cup this season.
However, the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7), who were swept by the Capitals, would love nothing more than to upend Washington on their way to repeating as NHL Champions.
Eastern Conference Preview
1 Washington Capitals- 8 Montreal Canadians
Alexander Ovechkin (50 goals) and Nicklas Backstrom (68 assists) lead the offensive-minded Capitals against the Canadians (39-33-10).
Washington had the best record at home and on the road in the regular season. With their offensive prowess, look for Washington to dominate, possibly in a sweep as Jose Theodore will raise his goalkeeping up a notch.
4 Pittsburgh Penguins- 5 Ottawa Senators
Last year's best the Penguins go up against the Senators (44-32-6) who are among the hottest teams in the NHL. Winners of six-straight late in the season, veteran forward Alex Kovalev tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a shootout loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning.
With Kovalev out for the playoffs, Ottawa will need to play inspired hockey to upend the defending champs. Look for one of the best players on the ice today, Sidney Crosby (51 goals and 58 assists) to lead Pittsburgh past Ottawa in a series that will not last more than 6 games.
3 Buffalo Sabres- 6 Boston Bruins
Buffalo's Ryan Miller (2.22 goals allowed and .929 save percentage) squares off with the Bruins (39-10-13) and Finnish goaltender Tuukka Rask (1.9 goals allowed and .931 save percentage).
Whichever goalie shines brighter should determine the winner. The Sabres (45-27-10) have slightly more offensive bite which should allow them to win in 7 games in what figures to be a low-scoring series. The outcome could be altered greatly with an injury to either side.
2 New Jersey Devils- 7 Philadelphia Flyers
In one of the more interesting matchups, left winger Zach Parise (38 goals, 43 assists, 24+/- when on the ice) leads the Devils (48-27-7) against the Flyers (41-35-6) and Mike Richards who has scored 31 goals and assisted on 31 others.
The Devils have allowed the least amount of goals of any NHL team this season. As long as Parise's on the ice, New Jersey should roll and will take the series in 5 games.
Western Conference Preview
1 San Jose Sharks- 8 Colorado Avalanche
The Sharks great season last year was all for naught as the 8-seeded Anaheim Ducks knocked them out of the first round. As for this year, San Jose, again the Western Conference's top-seed, endures another tough first rounder with the Avalanche (43-30-9).
Whichever goaltender is able to make more saves will likely lead their team to victory. Evgeni Nabokov (.922 save percentage) and Craig Anderson (.916 save percentage) will be protecting the pipes. The slight edge goes to the Sharks in 6 sizzling games.
4 Phoenix Coyotes- 5 Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings raced to the finish line by winning 13 of their last 16 (two overtime losses). The Coyotes (50-25-7) are an anomaly in hockey because they lack a dynamic offensive superstar. Their defense, however, is first-class as they've given up only 202 goals, the least allowed in the Western Conference.
Phoenix is led by committee while Henrik Zetterberg leads the star-filled Red Wings with 46 assists. With Detroit having the luxury to go to Chris Osgood (3.02 goals allowed) if starting goalie Jimmy Howard (2.27 goals allowed) struggles or gets injured, the Red Wings should prevail in 5 or 6 games.
3 Vancouver Canucks- 6 Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver's Henrik Sedin (83 assists) leads the Canucks (49-28-5) up against the Kings (46-27-9) defensive line and goalie Jonathan Quick (2.54 goals allowed).
Los Angeles has fared about the same on the road as they have at home so they shouldn't be rattled in front of a hostile or friendly crowd. Vancouver is a tough team to beat at home, but has struggled mightily on the road. Another upset looms as the less explosive Kings will stunt the Canucks in 7 games.
2 Chicago Blackhawks- 7 Nashville Predators
The Blackhawks (52-22-8) have led the Western Conference in goal differential with the help of Patrick Kane who leads Chicago with 30 goals and 57 assists. They'll need his firepower against the Predators (47-29-6) who have given up as many goals as they've scored this year-225.
Only having to play two games in the final week of the regular season, Nashville should be well-rested enough steal one of the first two in Chicago, but the Blackhawks should win a long series that could go 7 games.
NHL Second Round Predictions
1 Capitals defeat 4 Penguins in 7 games.
3 Sabres defeat 2 Devils in 5 games.
1 Sharks defeat 6 Kings in 7 games.
5 Red Wings defeat 2 Blackhawks in 6 games.
Eastern Conference Championship
1 Capitals defeat 3 Sabres in 5 games.
Western Conference Championship
1 Sharks defeat 5 Red Wings in 6 games.
NHL Stanley Cup Prediction
The Stanley Cup is going to Washington, D.C. The Washington Capitals will beat the San Jose Sharks in an overtime game 6 thriller to take the series and take the 2010 Stanley Cup back to the nation's capital.
Tyrone Bowman - I'm 25, a recent Journalism graduate of Sacramento State, love the outdoors and am ultra-competitive. I thrive for perfection even though ...
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