Along with my regular season predictions, I also wanted to predict who I thought would make it all the way to win Lord Stanley's Cup. These are based off MY PREDICTIONS, not the current standings.
Bracket template courtesy of: http://www.myexceltemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2011-Printable-PDF-NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Bracket.jpg
Quarter-Finals
In the first round, I thought the most intriguing match-ups would be the 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 in the West and the 2 v 7 and 4 v 5 in the East. Vancouver and Nashville would be a great match-up because Vancouver would have a bit to prove after falling just short last year and Nashville lead by Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne would be tough to solve defensively. I felt that Nashville, specifically Pekka Rinne would be extremely crucial and he would be and would bounce the Canucks out in 6.
In the LA, Detroit series, I thought that LA would be very dominate from game 1, this may be because I am an Avs fan and am in no way a Red Wings fan, but I really thought LA would make a very large jump this year. This jump would not be contained to the regular season, but also in the postseason. I think that Quick would be very good, and Kopitar would take a huge jump in his play. Detroit would beaten in their old age and not quick enough (pun totally intended) to contain the Kings. Kings in 5.
In the Eastern conference the Penguins v Rangers would be a very interesting match-up. The Penguins with stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal would have to face Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, and of course Henrik Lundqvist. Offense versus defense. In this case, offense would reign supreme and the Penguins would finish off the Rangers in 6.
Probably the best series in the quarterfinals, Philly and Boston would battle hard to advance to the next round. Two of the supreme teams in the Eastern Conference, These teams hit hard and play hard. This series would be all about home ice advantage. Each team would take advantage and would take this series all the way to game 7 in Philly. In the end though, the defending Stanley Cup Champions would fall just short and Philly would move one step closer to the Cup.
Semi-Finals
In the Semi-Finals, every match-up is intriguing. First off San Jose v Nashville. Nashville going farther than they ever have would face off against the tough San Jose Sharks. Nashville however would definitely would push the Sharks to their limits. Nashville would frustrate the San Jose offense with the play of Pekka Rinne, and the Preds big 'D'. In the end though, a lack of scoring from Nashville would lead the way for San Jose to take the series in 6.
In the Chicago, LA series, two very good offensive teams would battle for supremacy. This series would go 7 games and each game would be face paced and high scoring. The deciding factor in this series would be the goaltenders. The team that would move on would need their goalie to step up. In this series, that would be Jonathan Quick. Quick would be solid and help his team pull out the series win. As stated before, Kings win in 7.
In the East, both match-ups are, you guessed it, great. In the first match-up the President Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres face off against the high flyin', hard hittin' Flyers. This match-up would be a great, lots of hard hits and high tempo games. This series would go all the way to an amazing game 7. These two teams have amazing talent on all sides of the ice. In net they have Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov respectively and have players like Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk, Derek Roy, Tyler Myers, and Danny Briere would lead the way up front. This is a match-up the NHL would love and could show what hockey is all about. Buffalo in 7.
The last match-up is a fantastic too. Two of the biggest rivals currently in the NHL. Penguins vs Capitals. The NHL's wet dream come true. I don't think I have to explain why this would be a fun series. Two of the NHL's elite facing off. Of course you have the Crosby vs Ovechkin angle, but there is more the these teams. Each team is very deep but Pittsburgh is probably deeper. It would be a hard fought series but in the end Pittsburgh's depth would be the deciding factor in the series. Pittsburgh in 7.
Conference Finals
Only one more step to the Stanley Cup Finals.
In the West, Los Angeles and San Jose face off in a California battle of supremacy. The light travel will do these teams well and will create very high paced and fun hockey. Both of these teams have potent offenses and great goaltending. This will be a fun series with great hockey but in the end the "playoff chokers" will make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, backed by a a stellar performance by goalie Antti Niemi and great play by the two Joes, Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski the Sharks. Sharks in 6.
In the East, the top two teams during the regular season Buffalo and Pittsburgh face off to become the Eastern Conference Champion. This series will be balls-to-the-wall crazy. Two great goalies, two great defenses, two great offenses. What more is to be said. The games will be close and intense. In the end, the Presidents winners will be victorious. Buffalo in 7.
Stanley Cup Finals
This is it. only 4 more wins before these teams can hoist the Stanley Cup. The journey has been long for both teams. Buffalo and San Jose for everything. Both teams are great on both sides of the puck and in net. I think San Jose's road has been easier than Buffalo's and that played a factor in the series. That said Buffalo and San Jose put on a great show and take the series to 7 games but in the end San Jose would be the victor and win their first ever Stanley Cup.
-Colorado Cross Checker
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