After going a miserable 50% in the conference semi-finals, I am almost ashamed to be writing this.  First let me vent a little about the teams that embarrassed me.

Most embarrassing was the San Jose Sharks. I predicted this in round one, but then started to drink their Kool-Aid after they dismantled what I thought was a good Nashville team. To me the turning point of this series was when they blew a 2 goal lead at home in game four. Detroit had played so poorly on the road in these playoffs up to that point. San Jose had stolen home ice, all they had to do was play half way decent defensively and they take control of that series. They folded like an amateur poker player with pocket kings facing a big raise with an Ace on the board. Inexcusable. I heard one of the commentators on Versus say during the late stages of last nights game, “maybe San Jose hasn’t improved as much as they thought.”  I couldn’t agree with him more. They came out flat in an elimination game at home. They got out played physically against an older club. They didn’t win battles and they didn’t look like they thought they could win. Detroit might not have better players, but they definitely are the better team.

Onto Ottawa, this one is easy. I just completely over estimated the reputation of the Devils. Bottom line, Brodeur isn’t what he used to be. They have abandoned their defensive style in order to adapt to the “new” NHL, and Ottawa was just too fast and talented.

Now for the picks:

Eastern Conference Finals

(1)  Buffalo Sabres VS (4) Ottawa Senators

After the line brawl between these teams earlier in the season and the playoff series last year, there is definitely bad blood between these two teams. The only downfall for me is Marty Biron is no longer a Sabre so he won’t get the rematch with Emery we would all like to see. (Even though Miller would be a tougher opponent for Emery, in my opinion). This series should be very up tempo as well as physical, a rarity nowadays and it will be one of the most exciting series in recent playoff history, no matter how many games it goes. I like Buffalo in seven.

Western Conference Finals

(1) Detroit Red Wings VS (2) Anaheim Ducks

I think Anaheim will be a lot tougher then San Jose mentally and look for that to put a strain on the Redwings attack. Anaheim has more skilled defensemen in all three zones then San Jose did and I think ultimately that will be the end of the Red Wings. While Vancouver was able to dominate play for stretches, Luongo made that series as long as it was. I don’t see Hasek being able to take control of the series the way Roberto did, I like the Ducks in six.

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.