NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: 3 Lower Seeds Ready to Cause Major Damage

The NHL playoff race is as tight as it’s been in years thanks to the new scoring system, and there really isn’t much of a difference between a three-seed and and eight-seed at this point.

Call it parity, call it a watered-down product or call it just plain fun to watch, but the new system has set up lower-seeded teams to make some serious noise this spring. 

Here are the three top candidates to shock the experts. 

Eastern Conference

6. New Jersey Devils

The math is simple, the Devils have won four in a row, and their potential opponent in the first round, Florida, has lost four straight.

The Devils are No. 1 in the NHL at killing penalties (89.4 percent), and have two of the most explosive playmakers in the game in Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias.

With the legendary Martin Brodeur guarding the net, this team has the ingredients to make some noise in the next month if they continue to ride this hot streak.

8. Washington Capitals

This team is impossible to figure out, but the Caps can never be counted out when they employ Alexander Ovechkin, one of the top five players in the game. As long they survive their last two games, few teams have the talent and the experience of the Caps.

They have won 2-of-3, including a road victory at Boston, as they cling to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference over Buffalo by virtue of tie-breaker. They are playing better, and as long as they get better play from netminder Tomas Vokoun, they are going to be very dangerous against the No. 1-seeded New York Rangers.

Goalies striking fire is certainly not a rarity in the NHL playoffs.

Western Conference

No. 8 San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have won 5-of-7 games and are quietly one of the more balanced teams in the NHL.

They are fourth in power play percentage (20.5) and eighth in goals against (2.5). Led by center Joe Thornton and his 75 points, the offense has come alive during the final month of the season.

With an eye-popping 25-12-3 record at home, if they can steal a road win against No. 1 Vancouver, they are going to be incredibly difficult to beat in front of the home fans. 

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.