2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions

What better time to kick off a sports blog than playoff time? And what better way to start than with playoff predictions? Let's take a quick look at the first round match ups.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Montreal (1) vs Boston (8):
The Habs have had the number of the Big Bad Bruins all season, sweeping the season series 8-0 and dominating nearly every game. But the Bruins won't go down without a fight. I'm going with the Habs in 6.

Pittsburgh (2) vs Ottawa (7):
Crosby and the Penguins should handle the lowly Ottawa Senators easily. I predict a 4-0 series sweep, especially with the Sens missing Alfredsson and Fisher.

Washington (3) vs Philadelphia (6):
Ovechkin could singlehandedly win this series. Then again, when you rely on one player as much as the Caps do, if Philly can shut him down they should advance easily. Huet has been hot since being traded, but Washington just isn't ready to make a push yet. Philly in 6.

New Jersey (4) vs New York Rangers (5):
This is going to be one hell of a series. First of all, what a rivalry. Second of all, these are pretty evenly matched teams. I think Brodeur will be the difference though. Devils in 7.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit (1) vs Nashville (8):
Not much contest here. Nashville will go balls to the wall, but can they beat Detroit 4 times? I don't think so. Detroit in 5.

San Jose (2) vs Calgary (7):
Calgary sort of falls into the same category as Washington -- shut down Iginla and that's half the battle. San Jose in 5.

Minnesota (3) vs Colorado (6):
This could be a really good series. Both teams are relatively evenly matched, so there will probably be a lot of one goal games. In the end, it's tough to bet against Joe Sakic's leadership. I'm going with the Avs in 7.

Anaheim (4) vs Dallas (5):
This is another one that's going to be very intense. Dallas has really emerged as a powerhouse this season, but then again, Anaheim won it all last year and you just can't ever bet against them. Neidermeyer, Pronger, Giguere...not to mention the entire team has a Stanley Cup under their belts. Ducks in 7.


FINALS:
Montreal vs San Jose

The West is going to be a much tighter division than the East in the playoffs. Each series should be hard fought and likely pretty long. On the other hand, in the East, Montreal should run away with it. The only team I think could give them a run for their money is Pittsburgh, but if Carey Price can continue to dominate like he has, no amount of offense in the world is going to stop the Habs.

In the finals, I believe whatever team makes it out of the West (I'm predicting the Sharks) will be physically and mentally exhausted. Montreal, on the other hand, should be right where they need to be. With home ice advantage throughout the entire playoffs (unless they play Detroit), and the Molson Centre being a hell of a building to play in if you're playing for the other team, the Habs look poised to add a 25th Stanley Cup banner to the rafters.

Your predictions?