NHL PLAYOFFS!

And this year I get to root for my own team!  WOOHOO

Here are the match ups and my very uninformed picks:

Montreal vs Boston: I expected the Bruins to finish out of the running again, but they surprised me and a whole lot of others by grabbing a spot.  The last two times they’ve made it to the post season they were beaten in the first round by arch rival Montreal.  I’m 100% behind my B’s this year, but it’s going to end the same way.  Boston failed to win a single game against the Canadians this year and I’d be kind of surprised if they avoided a sweep.  Still… Go Boston!  WOOHOO

Pittsurgh vs Ottawa:  Ottawa started the season on such a tear that people were already crowning them Eastern Conference champs back in October.  How the mighty have fallen.  Pittsburgh started off a little slow but managed to straighten things out and win their division.  Over the last month or so the Senators have been awful and I expect that to continue as the Penguins spank their asses all the way back to the capital. 

Washington vs Philedelphia:  This one might be fun.  The Flyers have been the goons of the league this year.  Washington is the anti-Ottawa.  They were looking like a dead last place team until former Lowell Lock Monsters head coach Bruce Boudreau took over.  The Caps jumped on Alex Ovetchkin’s back and ran all the way to the top of the division.  Neither team is all that great, but I expect to see Ovetchkin (I hope I’m spelling that right) make Swiss Cheese out of Philly goalie Martin Biron.  I’m picking the Capitals in this one.

New Jersey vs New York:  These cross-the-river rivals would be fun to watch if not for New Jersey being the world’s most boring team.  The Rangers have underachieved all year.  Who will win?  Well I wouldn’t be a proper Bostonian if I picked New York, so I’m picking Martin Brodeur (spelling?  again?) and the Devils.  Besides, I don’t think I can route against former Lowell Devil David (Kelly) Clarkson.

On to the west…
Detroit vs Nashville:  The Predators making the playoffs makes for a great story.  Last year’s team was completely dismantled for payroll reasons while the franchise was in the process of being sold.  At the start of the year everyone wrote them off, but now here they are squeaking into the eighth seed.  Still, Detroit will probably sweep them and win each game by about 15 goals.  Nice going Nashville… too bad you’re going to get destroyed.

San Jose vs Calgary: I’ve always liked Calgary.  Jarome Iginla is very much the man.  Unfortunately they get matched up with San Jose.  For the third year in a row I am picking San Jose to win it all.  Let’s just hope those California pukes don’t make a fool out of me again and lose in the 2nd round… again.  It’ll probably be a fun series to watch, but San Jose should win pretty easily.

Minnesota vs Colorado: It’s just dawned on me that I’ve picked the top seed in each series so far.  That ends now.  I’m picking Colorado over Minnesota.  No real reason, just a hunch.  The Wild are a good team.  The Avalanche are pretty good but gutted with injuries.  By all rights the Twinkies should win easily, but I’m going with the upset here.

Anaheim vs Dallas:  I’m going with the Ducks here.  Dallas floundered down the stretch while the Ducks have looked great since the return of Scott Neidermayer.  I don’t think Anaheim will repeat, but there’s a real good chance I’m wrong. 

Well there we go.  I’ve been a little better than 50/50 with my picks the last two years.  This time the Bruins being involved sort of skews my thinking, so I’ll probably go 0 for 8 in the first round.  Who cares, it’s playoff time and my team is in it. 

Go Bruins!