Playoff Preview: Is The Winged Wheel Poised For a Two-Peat??

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Calling all hockey fans!!

I may not be Maggie the Monkey, but when it comes to playoff hockey, I like to think I know a thing or two...this ego comes from two years ago when my series record saw me pick two losers all playoff-in the first round.

Last season, I didn't do so well, but that's the point behind predictions: Anything can happen, which is what makes these convos on the eve of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so fun. Let's jump right into the Eastern Conference.

(1) Boston-Montreal (8)

My pick: Boston in 5

My hero: Milan Lucic, Carey Price/Alex Kovalev

Quite simply, the two Habs who MUST show up in this series are Kovalev and Price. Should Alex become the enigmatic winger again, his team will undoubtedly fail. But Price could be under even more scrutiny.

He's their No. 1, and Montreal goaltenders have a history of excellence. Which is why in the Habs' 100th season (their 100th anniversary is in December), Price needs to be the guy Montreal saw when they drafted him-prepared, consistent, and with a quitters can bite me attitude.

The shoe is now on the other foot in this year's battle, with the two teams swapping spots. However, this series will be just as physical, however with the young firepower and Tim Thomas coming into his own in the Bruins net, I think Montreal will be too tired by Game 3 or 4 to challenge their opponents. Lucic is looked at as a Cam Neely type player, and I think he will break out nicely in this one.

(2) Washington- NY Rangers (7)

My pick: Caps in 6

My Hero: Ovechkin, Staal/Lundqvist

Welcome to the catbird seat, Ovie. Now, I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset in this series because the Rangers are so good at the hitting game. However, Ovechkin is just hitting his prime and will look to be unstoppable in leading the Caps through a playoff series.

The only way he can fail is if former Wolves' captain Marc Staal along with the expertise of King Henrik slow him down. Ovechkin will need to stay calm in the first two games and play hard if he wants to be a threat later in the series. The Rangers on the other hand will need to keep No. 8 and Mike Green in check, while picking their spots on Theodore to be successful. This should be an exciting series.

(3) Devils- Carolina (6)

My pick: Carolina in 7

My Hero: Brodeur/Ward

This will be a goalie battle. Cam Ward has already proven once that he can out-duel Brodeur, but now, Marty is fresher than he's ever been so things could be different. But what I see in Carolina is determination. This is their first playoff game since winning the Cup, and they want to make a big impact.

Jersey scares the crap out of me, I'll be honest, because they can score now. But I see the Hurricanes starting slowly and then emerging to flatten the Devils in a Game 7 shocker. The shock and awe will be felt everywhere when New Jersey are sent packing early yet again.

(4) Pens-Flyers (5)

My pick: Flyers in 6

My hero: Mike Richards/Martin Biron

Revenge is a wonderful thing-done right. These two teams hate each other, no question. Pittsburgh, with Crosby, Malkin and MA Fleury were rolling last year, winning their first series ever against the Flyers. Now it's time for the lesser-knowns, namely Richards, Carter and Biron to take it to Pittsburgh's stars.

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