Here's my playoff break down as promised
Edmonton 4-3 Detroit
- Edmonton is feeling no pressure now that they've made the playoffs, their speed on lines 1-3 will be tough for an aging Red Wings team to handle, the only question is in goal, and Roloson has been playing better the last few games. Edmonton also took 5 of 8 points fromt he Wings in the season, so they have proven they can beat them. Will be a great series though.
Dallas 4-0 Colorado
- Colorado is over powered at every spot. They slumped hard into the playoffs while the Stars played their normal solid style. Goaltending is the biggest difference where the Avs have none and the Stars have a Vezina candidate.
Anaheim 4-2 Calgary
- Anaheim is a much more rounded team and played better than Calgary down te stretch. The Flames are a one trick pony and if the Ducks can solve Kipper then the series is theirs. Won't be easy though as Ducks will pay the price physically and be ousted quickly by whoever they play in the second round.
San Jose 4-1 Nashville
- the Preds will take one game on emotion at home, but the Sharks are too much for them to handle, especially with a second sting goalie as their go-to guy. Too bad though, I really like Nashville with Vokoun to do some damage.
Eastern Conference
Ottawa 4-1 Tampa Bay
-The Bolts are in way over their heads. The Sens won 12 games in one month with Emery in net  and they can certainly ride him to The finals if he's healthy. Their last game of the season gave them a much needed confidence boost, and if they can stay healthy, watch out. Tampa really hasn't impressed me at all this year and they won't change that in the playoffs. Much to the chagrin of everyone in Toronto, these are not the same Senators of past years. That game against the Leafs was an abberation.
Carolina 4-2 Montreal
The toughest series for me to figure out. Montreal had an outstanding post-Olympic run and if Huet can play up to that previous standard, watch out. However, Carolina is just too rounded a team. They are too deep and have played solid wire-to-wire hockey this season.
New Jersey 4-1 NY Rangers
My previous statement about the Rangers winning the cup be damned. Weekes is not going to carry them to the promised land. Brodeur is looking like he finally regained his form from the last decade and the Devils are white hot right now. Best bet for a Stanley Cup out of the East right now.
Buffalo 4-1 Philly
Buffalo can skate laps around the Flyers. Reminded of a Sather quote in description of Gretzky "You can't hit confetti." The Flyers will not be able to catch the Sabres if the rules are called like they should be. Flyers lucky to win one game maybe.
