NHL Playoff Predictions

Who will be awarded Lord Stanley's Cup this year?

The Capital's are Vegas' favorites, and an EA Sports simulation ended with the Blackhawks as champions.

However, one thing is certain: The next two months of playoff hockey are going to be incredible to watch, and filled with drama and fascinating story lines.

No one can predict the future, but here is my best shot:

Round 1
Eastern Conference

#1 Washington vs. #Montreal
Two teams going in opposite directions. Washington steamrolls the Habs in 4.

#2 New Jersey vs. #7 Philadelphia
This one's interesting, because the Devils are only 1-4-1 against the Flyers this season. Philly's defense will make it difficult for the Devils to score, but this is exactly why the devils acquired elite scorer Ilya Kovalchuk at the trade deadline. New Jersey in 6.

#3 Buffalo vs. #6 Boston
If you can't watch low-scoring hockey, don't watch this series. Buffalo's Ryan Miller (Team USA's goalie) has been amazing this season, but Boston's young goalie Tuukka Rask was brilliant down the stretch. Call me crazy, but I think Boston's offense is more built for the playoffs than the Sabres'. Boston in 7.

#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Ottawa
The Sens always give the Pens trouble, and expect this series to be no different. However, the Senators will find difficulty shutting down Pittsburgh's deep collection of scoring threats in a seven game series. Pittsburgh in 6.
Western Conference

#1 San Jose vs. #8 Colorado
The Sharks are infamous for choking in the playoffs after dominating the regular season, and the upstart Avalanche will definitely give them a scare. But once the Sharks find their rhythm a few games into the series, they're superior talent will seal the deal. San Jose in 6.

#2 Chicago vs. #7 Nashville
The Blackhawks are loaded with talent, but they never know what kind of goaltending their going to get. The Preds almost always play excellent defense with great goaltending and score enough goals to win games... and even though the 'Hawks are built for a run I have a feeling this is the year Nashville finally puts it all together at the right time. Nashville in 6.

#3 Vancouver vs. #6 Los Angeles
The King's have some good role players and two of the best players in the league under 23 years old in Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, but have been madly inconsistent all year. The Canucks have scoring depth and have really dominated opponents with less talent all year. Vancouver in 5.

#4 Phoenix vs. #5 Detroit
The Coyotes' magical season in light of their ownership issues have been a great story, but the truth of the matter is Detroit has played more like a #2 seed than a #5 since the Olympics. The Red Wings have been their same old winning selves lately, and they are far more dangerous on offense. Detroit in 7.

Round 2
Eastern Conference

#1 Washington vs. #7 Boston
Boston's Chara and Rask keep it from getting out of Control, but the Capitals will be well rested and ready to go against a worn-out Bruins squad. Washington in 5.

#2 New Jersey vs. #4 Pittsburgh
The Devils swept the Penguins this year, but the playoffs are a whole different story. Both teams are armed with two elite scorers and plenty of talent. It comes down to the wire, but in the end Crosby and Malkin aren't going to lose to Kovalchuk and Parise. Pittsburgh in 7.
Western Conference

Western Conference

#1 San Jose vs. #7 Nashville
I want to pick San Jose, but I don't think the Predators will be able to score themselves on the Sharks defense and goalie Evgeni Nabakov. San Jose in 7.

#2 Chicago vs. #5 Detroit
Detroit played admirably to rebound from injuries to make the playoffs, but after two consecutive that didn't end until game 7 of the Cup finals, they won't have enough left in the tank to beat the loaded Blackhawks squad. Chicago in 6.

Round 3 (Conference Finals)
Eastern Conference

#1 Washington vs. #4 Pittsburgh
Even though the Capitals won in the regular season, all bets are off in the playoffs. The Penguins will need to give it their all to contain Washington's arsenal of weapons, but Marc-Andre Fleury has done it before. Does anyone really see Crosby losing when it matters most? Pittsburgh in 7.

#1 San Jose vs. #2 Chicago
Boy will this be a fun series to watch; both teams have plenty of elite forwards and scoring defensemen. The x-factor in a series like this is a goaltender's ability to get hot, and the Sharks definitely win in that category. Holy moly, San Jose in 6.

Stanley Cup Finals

#1 San Jose vs. #4 Pittsburgh

The Sharks can't believe they've finally got over the hump, while Crosby and co. find themselves in a familiar situation. The Penguins have to be worn out, while the Sharks are loaded and every now and then a talented team with a reputation for choking in the playoffs finally puts it all together in the two months that count (Ala Tampa Bay in 2004). San Jose in 6.