NHL Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference Round One Predictions

Pictured Above: Top Eastern Conference Series of Round One (Penguins vs. Flyers)

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After Sunday's games, the matchups have been determined, and the NHL's 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to kick off Wednesday night.

However, before we get to the upcoming action, the picks must be made, and the predictions set.

If you would like, in response to this article, you can email me your picks if you haven't already published them here on Bleacher Report. If I get enough responses, I will publish a "Community Picks" article sometime before Wednesday evening.

But before we get to that, here is the latest edition of my 2009 NHL Playoff Picks: Eastern Conference, for Round One.

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

Although the seeds are switched, this rematch of last year's first-round series is bound to be another thriller, no matter who wins.

Boston comes into the series with the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, along with an 8-2 run that got them within a point of winning the President's Cup. Tim Thomas has excelled all year, and the outstanding depth at both offense and defense has changed Boston from a mediocre team to a dynasty.

On the other hand, Montreal has suffered through an eight-seed fall from last year, caused by overwhelmingly high expectations, coaching controversies, and angry fans. They just snuck into the playoffs, finishing with 93 points, and only getting in on a tiebreaker win against Florida.

Although the Bruins may not be used to such high expectations, they shouldn't really have too much trouble against the Canadiens.

Bruins win series, 4-1

(2) Washington Capitals vs. (7) New York Rangers

In what is sure to be an excellent series, inexperienced yet extremely talented Washington will enter the playoffs with a tough series against the Henrik Lundqvist-led Rangers.

The Caps will come in boasting the top first and second lines in the country, along with possibly the NHL's best defenseman in Mike Green, who has 31 goals already this year. Although Jose Theodore has playoff troubles, and such a young team is sure to get a few playoff jitters, Washington is one of the toughest teams to beat.

The Capitals' opponent, the New York Rangers, is a similar team that just doesn't have the depth that Washington does. Although they definitely have the advantage in goaltending with Lundqvist, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury can't compete with the entire Caps' offense.

New York seems to be a popular upset pick here, but I can't see them having a chance.

Capitals win series, 4-2

(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes

In what could be a close, seven-game series, the Hurricanes and Devils continue to form their playoff rivalry in a tightly matched playoff series.

The Devils come in with a nice little streak following a terrible losing stretch. Martin Brodeur had an up-and-down season, grabbing the career wins record but having some shaky moments.

However, ol' Marty is sure to return as an elite NHL goaltender, considering that his strongest point is in the playoffs. They also have a terrific top line to match up with Carolina.

Secondly, the Hurricanes are entering the series having won 13 of their last 17 games, and two of the losses were in meaningless games where backup goalie Michael Leighton played.

Eric Staal has had an amazing spring so far, which includes a hat-trick game in a 9-0 rout of the Islanders last week. Cam Ward has also been spectacular in goal, posting a 93.1 save percentage with three shutouts in March, and being named the Player of the Month as well. First-line player Tuomo Ruutu has also emerged as a great player, along with recently-rejoined Eric Cole.

The advantage seemingly seems to tilt towards Carolina, who won three of the four regular season meetings with the Devils, but I think that New Jersey will get back to their old antics and somehow pull this one out in their favor.

Devils win series, 4-3

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers

In my pick for top series of this round, a cross-state rivalry may send things boiling over in this sure-to-be terrific Pennsylvania playoff series.

The Penguins enter the series having barely obtained the upper seed, yet having climbed six spots, from 10th to fourth, since the beginning of February.

Jordan Staal has emerged as a slight comparison to his brother with the 'Canes, and along with top players Evgeni Malkin and the ever-famed Sidney Crosby, they make three great anchors for the top lines. Marc-Andre Fleury is also a top-10 NHL goaltender, and he led the Pens to an Eastern Conference title last season.

However, Philadelphia was one of the biggest trade deadline winners, and they've shown it, as they look poised for another run. Kimmo Timonen is becoming a budding star, and the goaltending duo of Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki is getting better and better as the season progresses.

The Penguins may have more talent, but the tough, physical Flyers team is probably going to be able to win the series in Game Seven for Philadelphia.

Flyers win series, 4-3

Projected Eastern Conference Second-Round Matchups

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers

(2) Washington Capitals vs. (3) New Jersey Devils