NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Opening-Round Upsets to Bank on

NHL teams spend the entire season fighting for positioning for the playoffs, but now everyone starts over.

A good seed might give your squad an extra home game, but otherwise there is no guarantee of victory in an opening series. 

These lower-seeded teams have a good chance of still playing in Round 2. 

(6) New Jersey Devils over (3) Florida Panthers

This seems to be the easiest upset prediction of the entire playoffs. 

The Panthers have only won two of their past 10 games, and actually have the least amount of wins of any team in the playoffs. 

New Jersey has plenty of playoff experience and should easily take care of the struggling Panthers.

(6) Chicago Blackhawks over (3) Phoenix Coyotes

In a much closer matchup, Chicago and Phoenix are both playing well to end the regular season.

However, the Blackhawks are a better offensive team, and that should make the difference in the series.

The team has a number of guys that can hurt you, from Marian Hossa to Patrick Sharp, and the Coyotes might not be able to keep up with the scoring.

(5) Detroit Red Wings over (4) Nashville

Detroit was struggling for a while last month, but seems to finally be back on track as the playoffs begin.

The key to the team's success is a healthy Jimmy Howard, who was sixth in the NHL with a 2.12 goals-against average.

If he plays well, Nashville does not have the scorers to compete.

(8) Los Angeles Kings over (1) Vancouver Canucks

The winner of the Presidents' Trophy should be on notice right away, because the Kings have the ability to take them out.

Only one team in the last 10 years has won both the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup, so history is not on the Canucks' side.

Los Angeles could be the team that pulls the upset thanks to goaltender Jonathan Quick. He was second in GAA this season, and led the NHL in shutouts.

The Kings might struggle to score, but they will not need much if they do not allow any goals. 

These teams split the season series, to do not expect Los Angeles to be intimidated coming into the series either.