Sabres > Islanders (6 games)
Devils > Lightning (7 games)
Thrashers > Rangers (6 games)
Senators > Penguins (6 games)

Buffalo (1) vs. NY Islanders (8)
You have to pick Buffalo in 5 here. That’s the obvious pick. Buffalo is my #1 pick for the cup.

New Jersey (2) vs. Tampa Bay (7)
Hard not to go with New Jersey here, but this is a closer series. Tampa has a chance, but I’d pick New Jersey in 6 or 7 games. They are the safer pick for sure! Niether team is complete, both have lots of weaknesses.

Atlanta (3) vs. NY Rangers (6)
This is the hardest series to pick from in the east. Both teams have some good players, but both teams have lots of holes. I’d pick Atlanta in 7, but New York in 7 isn’t a bad pick either. Flip a coin here. Atlanta won the season seris 3-1 but that means little. I do think they are the deeper team, but the Rangers have played better down the stretch than Atlanta. Atlanta has some injuries too. Like I said, flip a coin on this one.

Ottawa (4) vs. Pittsburgh (5)
Ottawa in 6. As a long time die hard Canadian hockey fan and hockey better, I would avoid that first persons picks simply because by thinking Pitts over Ottwawa is a very suspect pick. It’s just not gonna happen. Ottawa will win this series without too much trouble. Way more experience, way better defense, they have more overall depth as well. Pittsburgs defense will get eaten alive on many nights in this series.

I would also caution you on that 1st persons knowledge. Detroit does not always win their first round, in fact they had a history of choking the first round to much lesser teams not so long ago. Calgary is the sleeping giant this year if any team is. That series could go either way though. It should be close. Calgary went to the finals only two years ago, they have a better defense now then they did then. They are not bad team as he says. They are built for the playoffs, defensive and very tough. If Detroit takes them too lightly like this guy does, it will be curtains for them. The 2nd guys picks are not bad, except I’m picking the Sharks over Nashville for sure. Nashville could win, but i doubt it, definitely not in 5 games.

West

Detroit (1) at Calgary (8)
If you want to pick an upset and a big upset, this is the one. Calgary could well take out the 1st seed here. If you wanna play it safe, take Detroit in 7, if you wanna take a small risk for a possible big reward, take Calgary in 7. This series should be very close. The Wings are good, but this Calgary team is tough, deep, and they won’t quit. Calgary also has the best forward in the series in Iginla and a strong supporting cast. Both teams have great goaltending. I’m picking Calgary myself. I think it may well happen.

Anaheim (2) vs. Minnesota (7)
Anaheim in 6 games. There is no other pick here. Minnesota is a damn good and irritating team, but they won’t beat the best defense core in the world.

Vancouver (3) vs. Dallas (6)
Vancouver in 6. They are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and rarely give up goals. Dallas on the other hand lacks the goal scoring to beat a team like this. Dallas is a very deep team and this could be pretty close, but I find it hard to see them winning this series.

Nashville (4) vs. San Jose (5)
San Jose in 6 or 7. More experience and as long as Forsberg is not healthy and going strong, they have the best player in the series in Joe Thornton. The Shark power play should be the biggest reason why they win this series.

My picks for the cup

1. Buffalo
2. Anaheim
3.Canucks
4.Sharks
5. That’s it, nobody but one of those 4 will win it all.

Sabres > Islanders (4 games)
Devils > Lightning (6 games)
Thrashers > Rangers (6 games)
Senators > Penguins (7 games)
(Sorry, Canucks fan, don’t really know much about other teams)

(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Tampa Bay: Devils in six.
(All i have to say is broueder for this one. He is a star goalie.)

(3) Atlanta vs. (6) New York Rangers: Rangers in six.

(4) Ottawa vs. (5) Pittsburgh: Penguins in six.

Western
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Calgary: Red Wings in five.
(Detroit will always win in the first round or their fans will kill them. Calgary isn’t very good anyways.)

(2) Anaheim vs. (7) Minnesota: Ducks in six.
(Ducks are a solid team this year. They have depth in all their lines and Minnesota doesn’t. Although Backstrom is on fire he can’t do everything.)

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Dallas: Canucks in six.
(Luongo is the best goalie i have seen in long time. He is this years MVP (my vote at least) and the Dallas stars are a defensive team so with on offense they have no chance vs Luongo.)

(4) Nashville vs. (5) San Jose: Sharks in six.
(The sharks have huge depth and their first line of Michlek Cheechoo and Thorton can not be stoped. The sharks also have too goalies that they can relie on but they will go with nabby because he is playing very solid right now. I am also a sharks fan go sharks.)

If you have any more questions just ask them or is you want me to explain anything.

Tell me how it goes when it is over!!!