The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin tonight, and as always, I thought I'd do a pre-show discussion of what the first round matchups entail, and maybe some predictions as well. I haven't been completely vested in this year's playoffs due to the strike as well as concentrating on other things, but the Playoffs is really what Hockey season is all about. It's the shining city on the hill for any hockey fan, regardless if you're team is in it or not...unless you're a Panthers fan.
Eastern Conference
#1 - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 - New York Islanders
While the Penguins handily won the season series, these two haven't played each other in a month, which includes the time when the Islanders didn't lose in regulation for 11 straight games. The Islanders are playing good hockey at the right time, and I think given the heated nature between these two teams, surprisingly, I think this will go deep. It may not go 7 games, but I expect the Islanders to give the Penguins trouble before bowing out.
Pittsburgh wins 4-2
#2 - Montreal Canadians vs. #7 - Ottawa Senators
This is a match-up that I'm not too familiar with, so when I say that Montreal will have home ice in all games played in this series, don't take it to heart. Anderson for the Senators has played great all season, including the last week of the regular season. Montreal has struggled of late, but they might have turned it around during their final two regular season games against Winnipeg and Toronto. Time will tell, but Montreal does have the advantage here.
Montreal wins 4-1
#3 - Washington Capitals vs. #6 - New York Rangers
While this match-up seems to happen every year, it doesn't. It's only happened four of the past five years, with the Rangers taking last year's contest in 7 games. Both teams, particularly the Rangers were better last year. The difference here is that the Capitals are playing much better this year than last year, and instead of playing overwhelmingly defense, the Capitals are playing a more aggressive style of hockey of late, losing only twice in April, both to the Ottawa Senators. That's what I think is the key difference in this series from last year.
Washington wins 4-2
#4 - Boston Bruins vs. #5 - Toronto Maple Leafs
Both Boston and Toronto are entering the Playoffs at a tough stretch, struggling to gain footing. A week ago, the Bruins were poised to take the 2 seed, but couldn't get enough points down the stretch by blowing lead after lead. The Maple Leafs haven't looked good since clinching a playoff birth, and even before looked to be a bit jittery with their current position. If the Bruins were playing good hockey, I'd say they'd win this one in a walk, but since both are struggling, both will probably try to use this series to rebound, but I think Boston's experience prevails here.
Boston wins 4-3
Western Conference
#1 - Chicago Blackhawks vs. #8 - Minnesota Wild
This is the only series that I look at and say 'chalk.' The Blackhawks are playing well, and the Wild barely got in, and probably only in part because they played the Colorado Avalanche in their final game.
Chicago wins 4-0
#2 - Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 - Detroit Red Wings
The Ducks have flown under the radar all season. While they have a great offense, none of their players have more than 15 goals, showing the depth and teamwork they have. However, they now face a team that's bested them all year long, the Red Wings, who are playing at the heights that are expected of them. With that in mind, I expect this one to go their way, in a not-so-surprising upset.
Detroit wins 4-2
#3 - Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 - San Jose Sharks
This is another series that I'm not really inclined to against the season series on. Both have loads of playoff experience, and both have profound disappointment in their playoff results. It seems like the perfect time that both of these teams face one another.
San Jose wins 4-2
#4 - St. Louis Blues vs. #5 - Los Angeles Kings
These two faced each other during last year's playoffs, but the difference here is that Los Angeles isn't on a massive spree of wins as the lowly 8 seed. Both of these teams are built to win in the Playoffs, but only one will win, and I like the reigning Champions here.
Los Angeles wins 4-3
