Okay folks, here are my fearless first round predictions for the NHL Playoffs 2007 which get under way today:

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over the NY Islanders 4-1
I’ll give Ted Nolan’s bunch a win on Long Island but that’s it. Their ‘Stanley Cup’ was eking into the playoffs to prove that the Ryan Smyth trade wasn’t a waste of time (which it was). Buffalo has been waiting for the playoffs to start since November. I just have this hunch that although they’re clearly the best in the East, they’re going to be upset at some point, but not in the first round, and not to this Islander team.

New Jersey over Tampa Bay 4-3
It’s tempting to pick Tampa, but you have to go back to the theory that goaltending and defence wins in the playoffs. Martin Brodeur is heads, shoulders and a couple of Gump Worsley’s stacked pads above Holmqvist, and although the Devils aren’t sexy on paper (or behind the bench – sorry Lou, that was a cheap shot), this team just gets it done year after year. Last year I believe I wrote “John Madden will make Jaromir Jagr cry” before their first round series vs. the Rangers. He won’t manhandle the Tampa scorers as easily, but he and the Devils will certainly slow them down. Tampa can extend this to seven if their powerplay is hot, but remember, Jersey is one of the least penalized teams….

Atlanta over the NY Rangers 4-3
Who the hell knows with this series? I changed the above sentence back and forth about 17 times, but I’ve decided to go with Atlanta based on their toughness. Tkachuk is a stiff, but for some reason, I think he’s going to have a big series. The Rangers have better goaltending, and elite scorers, but something tells me the Thrash will be all fired up in their first playoff appearance. I don’t think they’ll get much offence from Kovalchuk and Hossa however, the latter a perennial playoff no-show with the Sens. Hmm. Maybe I want to change my pick back to the Rangers now…. Nevermind. Atlanta it is – I just can’t picture the Rangers winning a series….

Pittsburgh over Ottawa 4-2
Remember my John Madden comment. Insert “Gary Roberts” for Madden and “the Ottawa Senators” instead of Jaromir Jagr. Roberts was the most important pickup at the trade deadline, first of all because he went to Pittsburgh and second of all because he didn’t go to Ottawa. He makes Pittsburgh instantly that much harder to play against, oh and if you missed watching all four of the Leafs/Sens matchups in recent years, um, he like totally kicks the crap out of the Senators and they are scared of him. He is Daniel Alfredsson, Wade Redden and Chris Phillips’ worst nightmare – hell, he’s every man, woman and child in Ottawa’s worst nightmare. I think the Sens can keep Sid the kid in check, but not Gary Roberts. He will score clutch goals in this series, strike fear into Ottawa’s defence corps and wreak havoc in their end. The only thing that scares me is the Fleury/Thibault goaltending combo. Not good – but then again, the tandem of Emery/Gerber is also less than impressive. I like Ottawa this year. I’d pick them over any other team. Every team except the Pittsburgh Gary Robertses, er, I mean Penguins (no offense to S.Crosby).

Western Conference

Detroit over Calgary 4-1
After seeing Detroit fold up like a cheap lawn chair in their most recent playoff matchups vs. Alberta’s National Hockey League franchises, it’s hard to see it not happening again. You know Datsyuk, the ink barely dry on his new seven-year deal, is looking for a safe hiding spot now that it’s playoff time and he’s locked up long term. Hasek looks more like Andrew Raycroft than the ‘tender who led the Czechs to gold in the 98 Olympics. It all spells disaster going up against a rough and tumble Calgary squad, seemingly built perfectly for the postseason grind, right? Hold on. I’m not so sure. There’s something not quite right about this Calgary squad with the milder Playfair behind the bench. They struggled uncharacteristically on the road this year (you have to win on the road in the playoffs), and they failed to really distance themselves from the Avs down the stretch in the final playoff spot. Something’s up with the Flames and I predict Detroit wins their first playoff series in the post-Yzerman/Shanny era.

Anaheim over Minnesota 4-2
The Wild have been playing great and are everyone’s dark horse, and a seven-seed always beats a two in the NHL playoffs don’t you know – but can they keep scoring in the more physical Stanley Cup playoffs? Gaborik will need help and apparently Demitra is banged up – not like he’s a big playoff force anyway (see Pavel Datsyuk’s playoff resume). I’d be inclined to pick Minny for the upset against maybe Detroit or Vancouver, but not Anaheim. Not with Niedermayer and Pronger playing 30 minutes each. The Ducks also have a great mix of scoring and toughness – this is a team built to go deep, and I think they will. Quack!

Dallas over Vancouver 4-3
Flip a coin here as well. As much as you gotta like Luongo over Turco in the battle of the netminders, this is Luongo’s first kick at the can in the postseason, and you just never know. Dallas is full of grit and determination, and yes, I know, Vancouver’s had a great year, and they’re a gritty bunch and all the rest of it, but I just can’t picture the Sedin twins continuing their great seasons into the playoffs. I’m just not sold on them yet. Markus Naslund just plain sucks and I don’t think they’ll score much. Maybe this is Turco’s year to finally rise up and play to his potential in the postseason. Brew up a pot of coffee and get ready for lots of late night OT in this series.

San Jose over Nashville 4-2
The San Jose Sharks are a five-seed? Really? How did that happen? After the season Nashville’s had, I can’t believe I’m picking them to be ousted after 6 playoff games. Forsberg is banged up and I don’t think he’s going to be much help. I hope they win because I kinda like their team, but I just think the Sharks are going to get it done. They’ll steal one in music city then wrap it up at home in game 6. Call Hertz and get the moving trucks ready Nashville. Oklahoma City? Kansas City? Las Vegas? Kitchener/Waterloo?!? Or will they be the reincarnation of the Winnipeg Jets? It will only be a matter of time if they lose this series.

There you have it. The correct first round results. Take it to the bank.

What do you think?

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