My Playoff Predictions 2008!

Nobody asked me but I write a hockey blog and I'd be odd-man out if I didn't post my ill-informed predictions for the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. So prepare yourselves. By no means am I any sort of authority on analysis of the league (I only know my Lightning) so take it for what it is. And what can I say? I love the playoffs!

Without any reasonable explanation or rationale whatsoever, my picks are as follows.

CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Montreal vs Boston
Canadiens in 4; Come on, you've seen their regular season record right?

Pittsburgh vs Ottawa
Penguins in 5; The Sens get one win, if that. Damn Pens are just too strong.

Washington vs Philadelphia
Capitals in 6; The Flyers were the worst team a year ago by a lot. Strides? Yes. But not leaps and bounds.

New Jersey vs NY Rangers
Rangers in 7; Tough one but I envision a long series with a tired Brodeur at the end.

Detroit vs Nashville
Red Wings in 5; You don't barely make the playoffs then knock out a club with 54 regular season wins.

San Jose vs Calgary
Sharks in 6; The Sharks will win the Cup.

Minnesota vs Colorado
Avalanche in 6; Just a gut call. No evidence to back it up.

Anaheim vs Dallas
Stars in 7; Champion schmampion.

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Montreal vs NY Rangers
Canadiens in 6; The Rangers will fall apart after the first round.

Pittsburgh vs Washington
Penguins in 5; The series of the year featuring Sid versus Ovie but I give it to Crosby and his cohorts.

Detroit vs Colorado
Red Wings in 6; I love it any time these two get together. Wings are powerful, though.

San Jose vs Dallas
Sharks in 4; The Sharks will run away with it.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Montreal vs Pittsburgh
Penguins in 7; Kind of cliché to go with Nos. 1 and 2 but I have no choice.

Detroit vs San Jose
Sharks in 5; Risky bet but there's a history of upset here.

STANLEY CUP FINALS

San Jose vs Pittsburgh
Sharks in 7; It'll be a hard-fought battle to the bitter end but my money's on them this postseason. But I admit the triangle theme is weird.

So there it is. Oh and don't bother emailing or commenting to say how wrong or stupid I am. I already know it.

Feel free to add your predictions below in the comments. I'm considering posting polls for each series to see what the majority are predicting. If this is something you guys are interested in, let me know. Playoffs start tomorrow. Get excited!