NHL Playoff Predictions: Possible First-Round Matchups

As every team in the league has about 25 games left on their respected schedules we start to take a look at who will be in and who will be out. Also with the trade deadline coming up on the 28th of February one trade could make or break the teams trying to sneak in or the ones at the top. Let's break down some possible first round battles!

Eastern Conference

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MONTREAL - JANUARY 25: Eastern Conference All-Star Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a shoot out goal in the 2009 NHL All-Star game at the Bell Centre on January 25, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. The East defeated the West 12

Teams that just missed: Atlanta, Buffalo, Florida

1.Philadelphia Flyers Vs. 8. New York Rangers

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 11: Brandon Prust #8 of the New York Rangers skates against Kimmo Timonen #44 of the Philadelphia Flyers on April 11, 2010 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 2-1 after a shootout. The vi

I think the Flyers will outlast the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins down the stretch of the season. Also they are expected to make some big moves at the deadline and get some high power scoring to stack their already dangerous offense.

The Rangers will barely hold on and out last the Thrashers and Sabres for the 8th and final spot to meet up with the Atlantic rival Flyers. The Rangers are not sure if they will be buyers or sellers at the deadline but i am assuming if they want to make a push at this thing they will try to pick someone to help out on the blue line.

Result: Flyers win series 4-2. Rangers are not as big as contenders as most think as they will have and early exit in the 2011 playoffs.

2. Boston Bruins Vs. Carolina Hurricanes

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BOSTON - NOVEMBER 26: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck as Sergei Samsonov #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes stands by on November 26, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Boston has been playing to their potential as of late and will pass the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2nd seed in the East. If the Bruins pick up big name defender like Thomas Kaberle to help out the re-surged Tim Thomas and the rest of the Bruins solid defensive core, they will be a dangerous threat for any team come playoff team.

Carolina will play well enough to get the 7th seed in the east come seasons end. Although they are not looking for much at the deadline as of yet they will need some serious help on the blue line as they are 23rd in Goals Against Average. This will be a necessity to a run to their 2nd Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Result: Boston wins tight series 4-2

3.Tampa Bay Lightning Vs.6. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 13: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens stops the puck in front of Dominic Moore #19 and Adam Hall #18 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 13, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. T

The Lightning will win the Southeast for the first time since 2004 over the Washington Capitals. I think the most important part for them to be successful in the playoffs will be special teams.They are currently a solid 10th in the league in Penalty Kill and an awesome 5th when it comes to the Power Play. They do not have a lot of even strength goals which could hurt them come playoff time. 

The Candiens will stay where they are right now in the number six spot. They will finish the season strong and will need Price to continue his good year if they want to be successful. They like the Lightning are in the top 10 for both Penalty Kill and Power Play and if they can play better 5 on 5 they will take the series.

Result: Canadiens in 6. The Lightning do not have nearly as much experience and motivation as the Habs do resulting in an early playoff exit. 

4.Washington Capitals Vs. 5.Pittsburgh Penguins

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WASHINGTON - MAY 13: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins shake hands after Pittsburgh's 6-2 victory in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Veri

The Washington Capitals will pass the Penguins in the standings for the next best thing besides the division... the 4th seed. They will need this home ice against a team like the Penguins who are dangerous come April. They will really need the two Alex's to step up (Ovechkin and Semin) if they want to move on towards their first Stanley Cup.

The Penguins will fall but not too far to the 5th seed in the East. Mainly due to injury and the huge loss of star forward Evgeni Malkin. With Crosby out of the line up healing and multiple injuries on this team I just don't think they will be rejuvenated and healthy enough to hold off the Caps.

Result: Capitals in 7. Mainly due to home ice and the Penguins not sure of a healthy roster.

Western Conference

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MONTREAL - JANUARY 25: Sheldon Souray #44 of the Western Conference All-Stars looks on during the 2009 NHL All-Star game at the Bell Centre on January 25, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Teams that just missed: Calgary, Columbus, Chicago, St.Louis

1.Vancouver Canucks Vs. 8.Minnesota Wild

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 4: Kyle Wellwood #42 of the Vancouver Canucks reacts as he is knocked down to the ice by Martin Havlat #14 of the Minnesota Wild during the third period of NHL action on April 04, 2010 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, Britis

The Vancouver Canucks like they have been all year will be the 1st seed come playoff time. The Canucks are not looking to be active at the trade deadline which means they will have the same core (with the exception of Kevin Bieksa). The Canucks special teams will be too much for the Wild as they are 1st in Power Play and 4th in Penalty Kill. Not to mention they have more talent all around than Minnesota.

Minnesota has been and will be playing well enough towards the end to hold onto the 8th spot. This will prove to be a David vs. Goliath matchup for the Wild. The only chance the Wild would have is be stellar even strength and capitalize on Vancouver penalties and mistakes.

Result: Vancouver in 5. Too much power for Minnesota.

2. Detroit Red Wings Vs. 7. Anaheim Ducks

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 08: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks battles for position with Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on October 8, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

The Red Wings will stay idle in the Western Conference grabbing the already owned 2nd seed and having a rematch of the 2007 Western Conference Finals. The Red Wings have shown to be very streaky this year with wins and losses but will settle down like the Red Wings we all know in the playoffs. The only tweak needed is better goal tending by Jimmy Howard. Off to a good start to his sophomore season he has been patchy as of late.

The Ducks started out the season well which they usually do not do and that strong start will help them hold the 7th seed. The Ducks are a team like Carolina in the case where all they have to do is get in and they have a solid chance of taking it. The Ducks will just need to be more psychical and scrappy then the Red Wings if they want to win like in 2007. 

Result: Red Wings in 6. Too much skill and experience on the Red Wings side.

3. San Jose Sharks Vs. 6.L.A King

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 26: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks sets a screen in front of goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings as defensemen Willie Mitchell #33 defends the play during their NHL game at Staples Center on January 2

The Sharks have shown how they can truly play lately and I think it will be to much for the Dallas Stars to hold onto the Pacific. The Sharks have finally found their offensive game and how deadly it can be especially with young talents like Logan Couture helping pull his fair share of weight around. They need a number goalie in San Jose and I do not know if Niemi is the answer. 

The Kings have become rocky but will make the playoffs because they have to much talent to miss it. The Kings will turn it around and be fine by sneaking in the 6th seed. The Kings and the Sharks matchup player for player in this battle of California.

Result: L.A in 6. The Kings will fine their game as the Sharks come down from their great play and early playoff exits continue in San Jose.

4.Nashville Predators Vs. 5.Dallas Stars

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 14: Left wing Steve Sullivan #26 of the Nashville Predators skates the puck past Karlis Skrastins #37 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on October 14, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Predators have shown why they are one of the most underrated teams in the league all year and might show some more people come playoff time. The Predators have played consistent all year and will continue now with the pickup of Mike Fisher. The Pred's are not exactly a high powered offensive team so they will need to buckle down defensively and it starts with Shea Webber.

The Stars have been playing better than anyone thought they would all year and people expected them to fall off the map sometime ago and it didn't happen so far. Although it will happen sometime soon. The Stars will play descent enough to get that 5th seed just because I do not see the team playing this well the whole season but who knows anymore. The Stars much like the Pred's are a tight winning team who doesn't score a whole lot so this will be a low scoring series. 

Result: The Stars in 7. The Predators have yet to win a playoff series in their history and it will have to wait one more year as the Stars have experience on their side.