How the Columbus Blue Jackets Will Shock the Hockey World and Win It All

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Luongo holds the Canucks in the game on most nights. Chris Mason will be up to the

task...well, almost. The Sedins will shine, as will Boyes and Tkachuck. Unfortunately the

addition of Sundin will play a factor and the Blues will have their late season surge

extinguished in seven.

4. (d) Chi (4) vs Cal (5) – CHI (4) in 6

Calgary is the “anti-St. Louis.” They are frigid at the wrong time. Iginla will spend too much time in the box trying to motivate the troops with his fists. Khabibulin is sharp and Kipper looks average. Havlat and the kids (Toews and Kane) do enough to win it, possibly making it look easier then it should have been.

East

5. (e) Bos (1) vs Mtl (8) – Bos (1) in 5

This will be the least-interesting first-round matchup due to the total embarrassment

that is the Montreal Canadians. Expect Kovalev to be waving a white flag on the end of

his stick at some point in the series. A fool with cash to spare might bet the Habs to

win. But keep your money in your pocket or put it on the safe bet, the Bruins.

6. (f) Was (2) vs NYR (7) – NYR (7) in 6

Expect this to be a spirited contest. The X-factor is Washington’s goaltending. The

Rangers clearly have the edge there, but not so on the offense. Do not be surprised to

see Varlamov take over for the Caps in net. Technically, Washington is the favorite,

but you will have a hard time telling at any given point during the series.

If it isn’t Ovechkin, it’s Semin. If not Semin, then Federov, or Green, or Backstrom.

Make no mistake, the Caps have lots of firepower. But Lundqvist will keep the Rangers

in the the games long enough for guys like Gomez and Zherdev to net some rubber. The

Rangers will surprise many by taking down the mighty 8 in 6.

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