WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Dallas Stars verses (4) Minnesota Wild
On paper this looks like the most lopsided series. The Stars are a much more powerful team, and should make easy work of the Wild. Things in Minnesota just look out of whack. The Wild backed into the playoffs and team chemistry is a question mark. The biggest factor may just be the injury to Zach Parise. Not having the heart and soul player of the team will not help. The only question mark in Dallas is goaltending. Dallas in 5
(2) St. Louis Blues verses (3) Chicago Blackhawks
Will this be the year that the talented St. Louis Blues get over the hump and knock off the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Talent wise both teams are loaded. St. Louis looks to have an edge on defense. Chicago has the edge in net with Corey Crawford. Offense looks to be about equal. This will be a classic. St. Louis will try to beat up the Hawks, and the Hawks will look to use their experience and proven resilience to overpower the Blues. Chicago in 7
(1) Anaheim Ducks verses (4) Nashville Predators
The quiet Nashville Predators look to continue their success by knocking the favorite Ducks out of the Playoffs. Anaheim has turned their game around after a horrendous start, and look to be the most powerful team in the league heading into the playoffs. Nashville has the edge in net. Anaheim looks to have the edge in offense, and Nashville just may have the best defense in the league. So this would lead you to believe that I would have the Predators advancing. Not so fast, I got the Ducks in 4! Yes a sweep. The Ducks have went through every possible adversity this year, and they are poised for a long run. Anaheim in 4
(2) Los Angeles Kings verses (3) San Jose Sharks
This will be a classic. The battle of California continues, and I will guarantee one thing in this series. The Sharks will not win three to start and then fall apart and lose four in a row. Will not happen! Los Angeles has the strong offense, but not by much. On defense the nod goes to the Sharks. The biggest factor in this series will be goaltending, and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings is one of the best in the game. This will be a good one but the Kings are back in the playoffs to prove that last year was a fluke. Los Angeles in 6
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Washington Capitals verses (4) Philadelphia Flyers
This one will be interesting. The Capitals are the best team in hockey and really do not have a weakness. Brayden Holtby is playing at the top of his game. Alexander Ovechkin is playing at the top of his game, and the Capitals new system has improved their defensive play. All signs point to a Capitals sweep. Wait, one thing may just be missing? HEART! The Flyers have this. The Flyers have went through adversity and have really banded together as a team under first year head coach Dave Hakstol. Here is my upset! Philadelphia in 7
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins verses (3) New York Rangers
Sidney Crosby has the Penguins back on track now. Even though Pittsburgh is struggling with injuries to superstars Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury they have been finding a way to win. The Rangers have the edge in goaltending with Fleury questionable. Pittsburgh has the edge on defense and offense. The Rangers will have their work cut out for them. They do have recent playoff success, and experience on their side. Pittsburgh in 6
(1) Florida Panthers verses (4) New York Islanders
Is it time for the Panthers to take the next step? Young talent has been brewing in Florida for a few years now. The emergence of Barkov and Trochek have vaulted this team to success. The Panthers have the edge in goaltending. They also have the edge on offense, and defense is probably a wash. Goaltending and scoring consistency has been a problem in New York. John Tavares needs offensive help. If he does not get scoring help the Islanders are doomed. Florida in 5
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning verses (3) Detroit Red Wings
This just may be the battle of destroyed teams. The Lightning are decimated with injuries. The loss of captain Steven Stamkos is one that will be hard to overcome. Detroit still seems to be an old team that is having goaltending issues. Boston collapsed down the stretch or Detroit would not even be in the playoffs. Detroit will have to use their experience to overpower the injured Lightning. I just feel that the off-ice Stamkos issues and injuries have just put a negative feeling around the Lightning. Detroit in 6
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.