Playoff time Baby!

Hey it's the early April...which means two things...First, the NBA season is winding down, which I haven't really cared about in at least three years. The second thing is the NHL playoffs. As games started last night, some interesting things are happening. Let's breakdown each series.

East

#1 vs. #8...Montreal vs Boston.

Montreal has dominated the Bruins in the past 27 games, winning all but 3 of them. The B's get Patrice Bergeron and Marc Savard hopefully back in this series after missing serious time throughout the year. Will it help the B's? Who knows but I think the Habs will come out victorious despite missing their captain, Koivu, with a broken bone in his foot.

Dude's Pick: Montreal in 5

#2 vs #7...Pittsburgh vs Ottawa

Ottawa is hard to figure out. Here is a team that jumped out to a dominant start and looked like they were going to be this seasons Ducks with how they coasted throughout the season. Well it didn't turn out that way. With questions of committment from former #1 goalie, Ray Emery and the tailspin that led to the firing of their coach John Paddock, the Sens are a huge question mark. Their former head coach and now GM Bryan Murray took over and the team has played better. There is even smack talk saying the Pens mailed it in on their finale just so they could play the Sens. On the Penguins side, Sidney Crosby has only played a handful of games since missing a chuck with a high ankle sprain. Malkin has emerged as a stud and will need to show that ability in the playoffs. The Pens got their #1 goaltender back with Marc-Andre Fleury. The Pens are not a one stud team with Sid the Kid...This team is going to be a tough out.

Dude's Pick: Pittsburgh in Six

#3 vs #6...Washington vs Philadelphia

Washington should be known as the Phoenix...they only won 8 of their first 30 or so games, and came back to win the SE division and knock out the Caroline Hurricanes. This team features AO8-Oveckin. They also feature a ton of other young talent. They obtained a young goal tender in Chris Huet from Montreal. Philadelphia is the comeback kids from last season. The team signed a couple of big free agents, including Briere. The Flyers also have a young upcomer name Mike Richards. This team is scrappy but I don't think they have enough to wipe the Caps off their wave of momentum.

The Dude picks Caps in six.


#4 vs #5 New Jersey vs NY Rangers

This will be an instant classic. The Devils will always be in a series with Marty Brodeur and the Rangers have the scorers with former Devil Scott Gomez and Jagr so scoring won't be out of the question. The Rangers made headlines last off season with the signings of Drury and Gomez. Jagr's numbers are down but had his seventeenth consective 25 goal season. This is a really tough series for me to pick and I think this will go the distance. Home ice I think will make a difference.

Dude's Pick...Devils in 7.

This conference should be fun to watch with the two young stars of the league in Oveckin and Crosby. All these series should be entertaining but I think the mid range seeds should provide some great first round action

Western Conference

#1 vs #8...Detroit vs Nashville.

This should be an interesting series. Detroit rolled through the season winning the President Cup for the best record in the league. Detroit is aging and has shown it's age later in the year. They play a divisional rival in Nashville which held their own going 3-3-2 against the Red Wings. The Wings have the best blue liner in Lindstrom and have Zetterburg and the ageless one in Chris Chelios. Nashville has some young kids and were pretty much sold in the fire sale. They have Ellis as a keeper, and Jason Arnott and JP Dumont as their stars. This series should be done early but who really knows.

Dude Picks Detroit in 5.

#2 vs. #7...San Jose vs Calgary

I know a certain lodge member (Jimbo) is looking forward to this series. I think series will go down to the wire. Now for the six of the past seven years, a two has fallen to a seven seed. San Jose has picked up Brian Campbell from the Sabers and have leaders Joe Thorton and Cheechoo. They also have former T-Bird, Patrick Marleau. The Sharks have Evgeni Nabokov who played in 77 games this year. The Flames have the Kipper in front of net and MVP hopeful Iginla and some stud blue liners. I don't think Calgary can do it...

Dude picks Sharks in 7.

#3 vs. #6...Minnesota vs Colorado

Minnesota is a good solid defencive team and the Colrado has the worst powerplay of any playoff team. Colrado has Ryan Smyth and Peter Forsberg also with Joe Sakic and some other guys. I think Colorado could seen up on this team, where the goal keeping has been a little suspect this past year. Look for a lot of 3 to 2 games.

Dude's Pick...Colorado in 6.

#4 vs #5 Ducks vs Stars

The defending Stanley Cup Champs have bulked up and look ready to defend their title. They have their retirees back from taking a half of a year and have fresh legs. They also have veterens Bertuzzi and Scheider and look tough. Stars have been led by a solid year from Marty Turco, the Stars got stronger with acquistion of Brad Richards from the TB Lightning. This should be like the East 4/5 game. This series should be a knocked out drag them out fight.

Dude picks Ducks in 7

There are a couple of active players in the playoffs who have played a lot of games and not raised the Cup. Luke Richardson of Ottawa has played 1410 games. The other player is Jeremy Roenick of the Sharks with 1313. Hopefully one of these guys can get their time with the Cup.

The Cup brings a lot of surprises and a lot of disappointment...just like any other professional sport, only one team will finish on a winning note...who will it be...fourteen teams are already watching at home. Will your team be watching or celebrating?