Stanley Cup Playoffs Begin

Much to my wife's chagrin, the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight.  The pundits pretty much agree that the best three teams in the league are all unfortunately in the Western Conference - LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and the perennial contenders Chicago Blackhawks.  The class of the Eastern Conference all year long has been the Washington Capitals. The Blackhawks are looking to repeat and make it 4 Cups in 7 years and the Kings are currently on the 2 year plan - winning the Cup in 2012 and 2014. But all it takes is one hot goalie and he can carry a team all the way to the Finals - my favorite being Bernie Parent taking the Flyers all the way in 1975.  Just last year, Ben Bishop was spectacular getting the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Finals before being hampered by injury. So goaltending is probably the biggest ingredient to playoff success.

With that being said, here are the matchups and my picks.  Those that know me will rush out and bet the house on the teams I pick to lose - so you are forewarned:

• Washington Capitals over the Philadelphia Flyers - Holtby has been probably the best goalie in the league this year and the Capitals are loaded with talent.
• Tampa Bay Lightning over Detroit Red Wings - This is Detroit's 25th year in a row making the playoffs - a tribute to their great organization.  The Lightning are hobbled by injuries to key players.  This is a tight one but Tampa has a little more firepower and I think Ben Bishop just outplays Detroit's Jimmy Howard/Petr Mrazek duo.
• Florida Panthers over New York Islanders - Islanders have some key injuries, especially with Jiro Halak out in goal.  Florida has been improving all season. And who doesn't want to see 44 year old Jaromir Jagr keep on playing - what a horse!
• New York Rangers over Pittsburgh Penguins - Another tight series. Both teams limping into the playoffs with injuries.  Rangers are without key defenseman Ryan McDonough and Penguins possibly without the talented Evgeny Malkin and their goalie Marc Andre Fleury.  Ranger's goalie Henrik Lundqvist knows time is running out for him to win a Cup. Think Lundqvist and Ranger depth will prevail.
• Dallas Stars over Minnesota Wild - Stars have a prolific offense and a porous defense. But they will be able to outscore the Wild in this series.
• Chicago Blackhawks over the St. Louis Blues - The Blues have won just one first round playoff series since 2002 and, sadly, this year will be no different. Chicago is just too tough for another talented Blues team that won't go anywhere.  It's too bad they are in the brutal Western Conference.
• Anaheim Ducks over the Nashville Predators - The Ducks had an abysmal start to the season and have been the hottest team since the new year began.  Nashville won't be able to match the Duck's scoring in this tight checking contest.
• LA Kings over the San Jose Sharks - Another series that promises to be tough and tight. But, like the Blues, the Sharks are a notoriously under achieving team in the playoffs.  LA is too tough and has more balance, especially with Jonathan Quick in net.

Well, I promise to revisit these predictions when the first round ends. And then I'll take a stab at Round 2. Go and take the NHL Bracket Challenge and see how your picks stack up against mine.