This could end up being one of the closest, most fun to watch series of the opening round.
The new look Flyers, looking to put last years disaster season behind them, will meet Alex Ovechkin and his Russian Revolution. We all know Ovie loves the spotlight, and there is no bigger time, with the lights so bright, to put on a show.
Both goalies are good as well, meaning this could be a heck of a battle, and I predict it will be right up until the end.
Prediction: Washington In 7
(4)New Jersey Vs (5) New York
These two met in 2006, with the Devils recording a four game sweep, however, don't expect the same outcome this time.
Both teams have a good offense, with plenty of firepower to go around. The Devils get the edge on defense (duh) and despite the fact that Martin Brodeur is the better all time goaltender, I fully believe Henrik Lundqvist can outduel the multiple cup winner.
New York won the season series, but that isn't the reason I think they will come out this first round matchup.
As past playoffs have shown, I would be almost willing to say that Martin Brodeur has been hurt by playing so much in the regular season. The past two playoff runs have ended with Brodeur looking now awful, but not at the top of his game either, as the Devils were dumped from the second season.
New Jersey fans will not like watching Scott Gomez sink the Devils playoff hopes
Prediction: New York In 7
Western Conference
(1)Detroit Vs (8) Nashville
These two teams have a playoff history, and considering they have met eight times in the regular season the past few years, these two teams are likely chomping at the bit to get this series underway.
Detroit has won the Presidents Trophy once again, but as recent history has shown, winning the regular season championship hasn't done much to aid the Wings postseason success.
Nashville is a team that simply will not go away. They have proved that all year. Even though they were stripped of their teams top talent, they still managed to be competitive, get great goaltending from the two headed monster of Mason and Ellis, and got great leadership by captain Jason Arnott.
Detroit lost Mathieu Schneider, but in a rare case where a team loses their number three defenseman, the Wings actually improved, adding Michigan native Brian Rafalski.
As usual, and in typical West fashion, these two teams will pummel each other all the way through this first round series.
Prediction: Detroit in 6
(2)San Jose Vs (7)Calgary
One of the two roughest teams in the Western conference will battle each other for puck supremacy in this one.
These two teams met in 2004, where Calgary knocked out San Jose en route to their miracle run in the Stanley Cup final.
But these teams have changed tremendously since then, but the series shouldn't be much different than that series some four years ago.
San Jose will rely heavily on deadline day acquisition Brian Campbell to be the gear that makes things turn from the back end, and Joe Thornton has to have a great series, as does Patrick Marleau. Jonathan Cheechoo should look at this as a fresh start, and rebound from a sub-par season.
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