Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 18 Predictions

This is the day the league has been waiting for since the end of the lockout.

For the first time ever, NHL fans will witness the league's top stars in a playoff battle as Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Also this evening the Chicago Blackhawks try to build off a strong third period in Game One with the hopes of stealing home-ice advantage from the Vancouver Canucks.

Chris' record after Day 17: 27-17

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (4) @ Washington (2)

The Washington Capitals dominated the season series as they took three victories in the four games. But don't expect this tilt to be a one-sided affair.

Not even for a second.

Pittsburgh capped off a first-round win by overcoming a 3-0 score in Game Six to beat the Flyers 5-3. The most intriguing part about this is that it happened in Philadelphia, one of the hardest places to play if you're the visitor.

It all comes down to fire-power in this series. With names like Crosby, Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom this has the potential to be one of the best displays of skill in a Stanley Cup playoff round.

The Penguins have been on fire under coach Dan Bylsma and are poised to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals for a second consecutive year. On the other hand, the Capitals erased a 3-1 series deficit to beat the New York Rangers in dramatic fashion in Game Seven.

I would have to give the edge to the Pens in this matchup. They have more experience as a team and have been the better of the two down the stretch. Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov was tremendous in round one but will have to deal with a stronger Penguins team that knows how to score goals.

If Ovechkin and Mike Green don't step up for Washington the Caps will be polishing their golf clubs.

Game One Winner: Pittsburgh

Western Conference

Chicago (4) @ Vancouver (3)—VAN leads 1-0

Vancouver held on in Game One to keep a perfect record through the 2009 Playoffs.

Just barely, but they held on.

The Canucks played a perfect game until the third period began. With a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes not even Roberto Luongo could hold the young Blackhawks off the board.

Patrick Kane scored a pair and David Bolland added another to pull the game even late in the third. It took a monumental collapse in the dying minutes as the Canucks scored on a four-on-two attack to take the first game.

From a Blackhawks perspective, the message has been sent. They proved to the Canucks—and everyone who was doubting them—that they are playing beyond their years and have the ability to turn things around at any moment.

Vancouver needs a full 60-minute effort in order to win Game Two. If Nikolai Khabibulin can improve his play the resilient Blackhawks have a good chance at knotting the series.

Game Two Winner: Chicago