Bold 2012 NHL Playoff Predictions

The seedings for the 2011-12 NHL playoffs are now set, as this unforgettable season continues it's rigorous journey toward the Stanley Cup. 

Fans have to be revved up for the playoffs, as it literally took overtime in the season's final game to decide the final standings. 

Like many years past, this year promises to be two months of nonstop, do-or-die, passionate action. 

With every game being televised on the NBC family of networks, the game is bound to grow, as it will attract newcomers every night. 

With blood, sweat and tears to come, those things don't matter for teams as long as they get to hoist Stanley Cup in the end.  

Honorable Mention: There Will Be 29 Playoff Games That Go to OT

Overtime playoff hockey is the best thing in sports. 

Every moment is tense, as fans watch with one eye open, hoping for the best but planning on the worst. 

The 2011 NHL playoffs featured 22 overtime games and at one point was on pace to surpass 1993's record of 28 games. 

This year will beat that record of 28 games because the NHL is full of parity. From top to bottom, teams are neck and neck, which bodes well for a captivating playoff season. 

Hockey fans—plan on plenty of late nights on the edge of your seats. 

The Washington Capitals Will Lose in the 1st Round, Then Choose to Rebuild

The Washington Capitals have had a tumultuous season to say the least. 

After swapping out Bruce Boudreau for Dale Hunter, the Capitals never really caught fire this season. 

Yes, they made the playoffs, but they played in the weakest division in hockey. 

The Boston Bruins are bound and determined to send the Capitals packing in the first round and shouldn't have a problem doing so. 

Of course, star forward Alexander Ovechkin will return to the Capitals next season, but everyone else is fair game. The current roster has failed to meet expectations and something must change. 

Capitals fans shouldn't be terribly upset at the changes that are in store, because the franchise desperately needs a breath of fresh air.

Better things to come from the Caps in 2012-13.

This Will Be the Last Time Nicklas Lidstrom Appears in the Playoffs

Nicklas Lidstrom has become the model for defensemen in the NHL. 

Remarkably, this will be his 20th appearance in the playoffs—sadly, it will be his last.

Lidstrom has contemplated retirement for a few seasons now and the Detroit Red Wings don't appear to be getting any younger. 

The second half of the season was a telltale sign for the Red Wings that they need a youth movement.

Marred by injuries, the Wings finished fifth in the Western Conference and will face the Nashville Predators in the first round of the playoffs. 

Lidstrom heads into these playoffs with an astounding 258 playoff games under his belt. Don't expect that total to exceed 265, as the Wings will lose in the first round—ending Lidstrom's legendary career. 

This Will Not Be Martin Brodeur's Last Playoff Appearance

Martin Brodeur is arguably the best goaltender in NHL history.

He owns every major statistical category for goaltenders and won an impressive 31 games this season. His 31 wins this season means that he now has 105 more career wins over No. 2 all-time wins leader Patrick Roy. 

Having won three Stanley Cups, Brodeur knows what it takes to go the distance, as his New Jersey Devils will make a strong run in this year's playoffs. 

At 39 years old, Brodeur is the type of player who will never want to hang up his skates.

102 points from the Devils this year is all the motivation that Brodeur needs to come back for one last season between the pipes. 

The Top 3 Seeds in the West Will All Fall in the First Round

Anything is possible in the NHL playoffs and this season, mayhem will take place in the Western Conference. 

The No. 1-seeded Vancouver Canucks, No. 2 St. Louis Blues and No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes will all lose in the first round.

Sure, the Canucks may have won the Presidents' Trophy for the most points in the regular season, but that doesn't mean anything in the playoffs. They face a Los Angeles Kings team that has yet to play their best this season and will get the best of the Canucks in this seven-game thriller.

As for the St. Louis Blues, they face a San Jose Sharks team that smells blood in the water. The Sharks may have underachieved in the regular season, but they have all the talent in the world. For once, expectations are low for the Sharks in the playoffs and that will be all they need to get by the Blues in five games.

The Phoenix Coyotes face a dangerous Chicago Blackhawks team that knows how to grind it out in the playoffs. The Coyotes did finish the season 7-1-2 in their last 10 games, but the Blackhawks have too much offense for the Coyotes and will win in six games. 

Logan Couture Will Become an Overnight Sensation

Sure, Logan Couture was an All-Star this season, but he was picked last in the All-Star draft. 

The San Jose Sharks center is in his second full NHL season and has a knack for tickling the twine. 

He led the Sharks with 31 goals this season and amassed 65 points. 

Most impressively, Couture has 15 game-winning goals in his short career, including one in the playoffs.

This is the playoff season where Couture becomes a household name. 

Expect at least 20 points in the playoffs from this budding star. 

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Will Combine for 50-Plus Points

The NHL's best one-two combo won't disappoint in the playoffs. 

Pittsburgh Penguins stars Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby will make it look easy this season in the playoffs. 

Malkin should win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP. Crosby only played in 22 games, but put up 37 points.

These guys are simply astounding and a joy to watch. 

They'll light the lamp early and often in the playoffs, and fans will watch in awe. 

The San Jose Sharks Will Defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals will be played between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins. 

By the time the finals roll around, the NHL will be raking in the ratings due to the exposure from NBC.

While the Penguins have looked strong all season, even without star Sidney Crosby, the San Jose Sharks have struggled but got it together at the right time. 

Both teams are loaded with talent, and this series will be one for the ages.

The finals will go seven games, with the Sharks winning 4-3 in the finale. Joe Pavelski will score the clinching goal on the power play with 4:42 to go in the third period. 

Lord Stanley will reside in San Jose this summer. 

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