After getting 7 of the 8 series correct, I'm giving myself the Vancouver series as well because I said they would win a game 7 at home if it went that far, and getting 4 of the eight in the exact amount of games (again I'm taking credit for the Vancouver one), I will now unleash my round two picks. Feel free to take them to the bank.

Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo Sabres Vs (6) New York Rangers

Only one team from New York will be left at the end of Round 2, and it will be the Sabres. They did seem to stuggle at times with the Islanders and the Rangers made quick work of the Thrashers. But again, Buffalo is too deep and Ryan Miller will only continue to get better. Sabres in 6.

(2) New Jersey Devils Vs (4) Ottawa Senators

I ussually love the Devils in the playoffs because they typically play consistent defense and get great goaltending. Both were shaky in round one. On the other hand, the Senators cruised through round one and looked like an offensive juggernaut. I like the Devils in 7 games. I think Ottawa will win a few games easily (meaning 3+ goals) but I still like the Devils in close games, and that's what wins playoff series.

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings Vs (5) San Jose Sharks

The Red Wings looked unstoppable at home, but pretty average on the road. You can count on San Jose to win atleast one game in Detroit, and eventually take the series on home ice in game 6.

(2) Anaheim Ducks Vs (3) Vancouver Canucks

The Ducks are playing some really good hockey right now and have had plenty of rest, while Vancouver had trouble scoring and played 7 hard fought games. I like the Ducks to cruise in five.

Here we go again, the second season is upon us and it's time for my picks for round one of the NHL Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) New York Islanders

    The Islanders have been playing playoff hockey for a while now and normally that is bad news for the higher seed. While the Islanders could win a game, I just think Buffalo is too deep, Sabres in 5.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Tampa Bay Lightning

    Martin Brodeur and the  disciplined defensive play of the Devils will not allow Tampa's offense to operate at their normal pace. Goaltending is also a question for the lightning. Devils will sweep.

(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) New York Rangers

  I like the Rangers in this one. Atlanta got the third seed by winning their division, and only finished 3 points ahead of the Rangers in the regular season and 8 points behind the fourth and fifth seeds, I think the Rangers will take home ice away in game one and win in 6.

(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

   To me this is going to be the best playoff series of the entire playoffs. Two teams the epitomize the new NHL. I think home ice as well as experience will win this series. Senators in 7 but a great experience for Crosby, Malkin, Stall, Fleury etc...

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (8) Calgary Flames

    The Wings have not fared well latley in early round series. If the Flames can steal home ice they always have the advantage at the Saddle Dome, overall though I think Detroit takes it in 6.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Minnesota Wild

   If this was youth hockey I'd take Minnesota in a sweep. But this is the NHL and while the location of the teams creates a hockey paradox, I like the Ducks to win in 5. Brian Burke has done an amazing job in Anaheim and going into the season as a Stanley Cup favorite and finishing in second in the west shows that the Ducks have what it takes to play under pressure.

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Dallas Stars

    A perfect example of the NHL playoff system is flawed. If the playoffs went by strictly points the Canucks would be the 7th seed in the west, instead they have home ice against a team that finished with more points then them. I like Dallas to win this in 6. If it gets to a 7th game in Vancouver though, the Stars are in trouble.

(4) Nashville Predators vs (5) San Jose Sharks

      I like Nashville in 7, imagine that a game 7 in Nashville, TN. Joe Thornton needs to prove that he can carry a team to a playoff series win. Last year, I thought his departure from Boston would be enough to light that fire under him but now I have little faith in him. Until he proves he is not the NHL's A-Rod I won't pick his team in the playoffs.

Aside from Mach Madness, this is my favorite time of year. The NHL Playoffs are here. For those of you who don't like hockey, I recomend watching atleast one playoff game because it is by far the most intense sporting event you will watch. Players seem to step it up in the playoffs and often "no name" players turn into stars (I.E. J.S. Giguere). For others the playoffs are the defining aspect of players careers (IE Ray Bourque), all the awards you can win can't even come close to lifting Lord Stanley's Cup over your head in mid-june. It is by far the toughest stretch of the season mentally and physically, playing with the win or go home menatility in a 7 game series of a contact sport, unlike basketball or baseball, with the lack of contact or even football where it is one game a week.  Not to take away anything from the playoffs of the other sports, I love watching them. And I realize taht you can't even begin to understand the toughness factor of hockey unless you have played it, but trust me this is hard. The playoffs are finnally set, and with the second season ready to begin here are my predictions for the first round.

Western Conference

1 Detroit over 8 Edmonton - The Oilers will put up a fight, they always do, maybe a 6 game set if they get a couple bounces. Detroit isn't young so it would be beneficial for them to win this series a quick as possible.

2 Dallas over 7 Colorado- Dallas has been playing great hockey, while the Av's have had goaltending issues all year. The stars should win this one in 5.

6 Anaheim over 3 Calgary- The Duck's have been playing playoff hockey for a while now. They beat the Flames in 7.

5 San Jose over 4 Nashville- No Thomas Vokoun spells doom for the predators, especially with San Jose's red hot Thornton and Cheecho line having their shot at a playoff rookie.

Eastern Conference

1 Ottawa over 8 Tampa Bay- Now we won't have to answer the question is it considered a repeat championship or 2 in 3 years.

7 Montreal over 2 Carolina- Carolina hasn't been on top of its game the last month or so, they can thank an easy end of the year schedule for the #2 seed, and an early exit.

3 New Jersey over 6 New York- The Blue Shirts are back in the playoffs...not for long though the Devils have better goaltending, and let's be honest goaltending is key in the playoffs.

4 Buffalo over 5 Philadelphia- Will Forsberg be healthy, will the Flyers finnally get decent goaltending in the playoffs?..too many questions for Philly, the Sabres are a solid club it is not a good draw for the Flyers.