NHL: First Round Predictions

First Round Playoff Predictions - By Drew Pepin, feature NHL writer

Boston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings

The Boston Bruins have the toughest draw out of any of the top seeds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Red Wings have the perfect mixture of gritty veterans and young, speedy, finesse players. Jimmy Howard is the backbone of a mediocre defensive core but Howard has proven that he can steal games for them in the past, and he will have to play his best every game to give Detroit a chance. Even without Zetterberg for the majority of the series, I believe that the Red Wings will give the Bruins fits throughout the first round. However, the depth and physicality of Boston will eventually wear down the Red Wings, and help the President’s Trophy winning Bruins advance to the next round.

Bruins in 6 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

This matchup at a quick glance looks like a cakewalk for the offensively gifted Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets fought their way into the playoffs and I believe they are going to make this a tough series for the Penguins. Columbus is one of the most physical teams in the playoffs, and if they play tough and gritty all series they’ll be able to frustrate Pittsburgh. Not to mention they have reigning Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky in net, who can steal game for them. While I think the Blue Jackets have a chance to make this series interesting, I think the Penguins, led by Malkin and Crosby, will eventually be too much for the inexperienced Blue Jackets to handle. Assuming Fleury performs better than the past 2 post seasons, I see the Penguins advancing.

Penguins in 6 games.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens

I believe this series has the potential to be the most lopsided in the Eastern Conference. While the Lightning did finish with a better record than the Canadiens, they lack an elite goalie like Carey Price, who is manning the cage for Montreal. With Ben Bishop out, Anders Lindback is forced to step in net for Tampa. Lindback as of late is letting in nearly 3 goals a game, and if the Lightning is forced to score 4 goals on Carey Price every night to win, I don’t see this series lasting very long. You can’t forget about Steven Stamkos, arguably the best scorer in the league, but I don’t think he’ll be able to carry the Lightning past a red hot Canadiens team. I see PK Subban and the rest of Montreal advancing.

Canadiens in 5.

New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers

I’m expecting a heavy hitting series between these two physical teams. This series could swing either way, and I think it is the one of the most even matchups in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The New York Rangers will rely heavily on King Henrik (Henrik Lundqvist) to bolster their defense against a Flyers team that has shown the ability to score plenty of goals when needed. Led by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, I think this Philadelphia team as the potential to put pucks past Henrik and take control of this series. I think this matchup comes down to the play of Steve Mason in net for Philly, and if he can play well enough, I think the Flyers will be able to handle the Rangers. I have the Flyers advancing.

Flyers in 7.

Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars

This is another series where I don’t give one side much of a chance. While the Stars have good, young players who can put the puck in the net like Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Alex Chiasson, I don’t see them being able to compete with the deep squad out in Anaheim. The Ducks have a lethal one-two punch at forward with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and players like Andrew Cogliano and Kyle Palmieri to compliment them up front. With solid young defenseman Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm anchoring the defensive core, I see the Anaheim Ducks walking through the Dallas Stars. I’ll take Anaheim in this one.

Ducks in 5.

Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild

What an intriguing matchup we have here. Once again The Minnesota Wild have to play a tough first round matchup, after going up against Chicago in last year’s post season. The Colorado Avalanche had an amazing season that no one saw coming, led by rookie sensation Nathan Mackinnon. Watch out for Dany Heatley to be a huge difference maker in this series! … All joking aside, I think Zach Parise and Ryan Suter give the Wild a good chance to knock off this young Colorado team. A matchup to watch in this series is Semyon Varlamov against the Minnesota offense. Varlamov has shown he can be a top goaltender in this league when playing at his best. Despite the solid goaltending and deep offensive core in Colorado, I have Minnesota pulling off the upset against the Avalanche. I’ll take the Wild moving on!

Wild in 7.

St Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks

The best matchup in the first round will be taking place between these two loaded rosters. With the return of Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews, Chicago has the potential to make another deep playoff run. The St. Louis Blues, however, have other ideas. With a deep roster led by guys like David Backes, TJ Oshie, and Alex Pietrangelo, and an elite goalie in Ryan Miller, the Blues are a lot of people’s favorites to hoist Lord Stanley at the end of the post season. This matchup will come down to whether or not the Blackhawks high-powered offense can put pucks past Ryan Miller and that tough defensive core in St. Louis.  I don’t see another Cup in Chicago’s future, at least not this season. I got the Blues advancing.

Blues in 6.

San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings

In this matchup we have one team who has been succeeding over the past few post seasons in the LA Kings, and one team that has struggled in the playoffs in the San Jose Sharks. If the Sharks can figure out how to perform in the post season, look out. This team is loaded with offensive weapons, in Logan Couture, Jumbo Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns, and rookie Thomas Hertl who’ll be back for the playoffs. Jonathon Quick will have to be huge for LA if they have any chance of slowing down this offensive machine in San Jose. I think this is the year the pieces fall into place for the Sharks, and the Kings will be the first victim to fall to San Jose. Sharks will move on in this one.

Sharks in 6.