NHL Playoff Predictions: Will Youth Prevail?

Playoffs? As Jim Mora most famously said, you can laugh at your team if it has no chance to make the playoffs.

This season, the dominating players in the NHL are the ones who are barely allowed to drink legally, yet still dominate the game. With players such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, and Ryan Getzlaf, youth is a dominating factor in this year's playoffs.

As certain teams get older (Rangers, Senators), and others get younger (Pittsburgh, Anaheim), youth is showing its muscle.  The teams that are older feel they need to win now, while the younger players face less pressure.

And less pressure will help the younger players perform better in the playoffs.

NHL Playoff Predictions

First Round 

• Montreal vs. Boston: Canadiens win over Bruins in five games.
• Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa: Penguins win over Senators in six.
• Washington vs. Philadelphia: Capitals win over Flyers in seven.
• New York vs. New Jersey Devils: Rangers win over the Devils in six.
  
• Detroit vs. Nashville: Red Wings win over Predators in four.
• San Jose vs. Calgary: Sharks win over Flames in six.
• Minnesota vs. Colorado: Wild win over Avalanche in seven.
• Anaheim vs. Dallas: Ducks win over Stars in six.

Second Round

• Montreal vs. New York: Rangers win over the Canadiens in seven.
• Pittsburgh vs. Washington: Penguins win over Capitals in six.
  
• Detroit vs. Anaheim: Red Wings win over Ducks in six.
  
• San Jose vs. Minnesota: Wild win over Sharks in seven.

Third Round

• New York vs. Pittsburgh: Penguins win over Rangers in six.
• Detroit vs. Minnesota: Red Wings win over Wild in five.
  

Stanley Cup

• Pittsburgh vs. Detroit: Red Wings win over Penguins in six.
  

Champions

• Detroit Red Wings