My NHL 1st Round Playoff Picks (or, Everyone Else is Doing it so Why Shouldn't I???)

It's that time of year again.  The NHL playoffs begin tomorrow night.  I will, of course, be rooting for my Flightless Waterfowl to go all the way.  But I figured I might as well put some picks together for all of the series.

Now, I haven't had a lot of opportunities to actually watch a lot of hockey this year, outside of the Penguins and especially in the West.  And, I have no time for research and deep analysis.  So, I'll be using two not-so-scientific methods for my picks this year...

Method 1:    Half-assed Attempt at Analysis

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - I just don't believe in the Caps goaltending or defence...  Rangers in six.

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - See above comment about the Caps and apply it to the Flyers, especially with Pronger's status in question...  Sabres in six.

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Should be brutal...  Can't wait!!!  No reason to believe Carey Price can outduel Timmy Thomas, which is the only way the Habs stand a chance...  Bruins in five.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Fluery keeps the Pens in the series, but the return of Sidney Crosby pushes them over the top...  Penguins in seven.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks overcome history and a watered-down Hawks team...  Canucks in five.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Loss of Kopitar too much for Kings to overcome...  Sharks in six.

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Is the Red Wings age finally catching up to them?  Yes, but not in this series...  Wings in six.

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Pekka Rinne plays strong, but Ducks deep offence prevails, barely...  Ducks in seven.


Method 2:   Coin Flip

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - Capitals

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - Sabres

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Penguins

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Kings

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Coyotes

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Predators