2011 NHL Playoffs: 20 Bold Predictions for the Stanley Cup Playoffs

It all begins tomorrow night when 16 of hockey's best teams will begin battling for the number-one spot.

In just a few of the most action-packed months the calendar has ever seen, we will know who the 2010-2011 NHL Stanley Cup champions are.

Will it be the defending champs from Chicago? Could it be Luongo, the Sedin twins, and President's Trophy winners the Vancouver Canucks? Or can teams like Nashville, Montreal, and Phoenix who have consistently played well all year win it all? Come the middle of June, we will know who hockey's greatest team is. For right now, let's look at 20 bold predictions for the 2010-2011 NHL Playoffs.

20. No Repeat, Chicago Loses in First Round

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on April 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Chicago fans, it's not going to happen. Your team is nowhere as good as last season, and, thanks to Dallas not being able to win on the road, you barely squeezed into the playoffs. 

Chicago has to face this season's best team in Vancouver and has the tough task of beating one of the best goalies in the world in Roberto Luongo.

Vancouver in five.

19. Sharks Win a Tight One

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts after Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks scored with less than five seconds left to tie the game 3-3 in the third period to force overtime during the NHL game at Staples

San Jose hosts Los Angeles in the first round. These two teams split the season series 3-3. Now that it's the playoffs and the stakes are higher, the teams are going to play each other even harder.

Kopitar and the Kings keep it close, but...

Sharks win in seven.

18. Detroit Is Too Much to Handle for Phoenix

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings sets up in front of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 5, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Red Win

Last season, it took Detroit seven games to knock off the Coyotes in the first round. This season, it wont take as many games, but will be the same result. Detroit beat Phoenix two out of three times this year and Zetterberg and Datsyuk will be to much for Ilya Bryzgalov and the Coyote defense to handle. Phoenix had the fourth worst penalty kill in the league while Detroit had the fifth best power play.

Detroit in six.

17. Pekka Rinne Shines

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators defends the goal against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Last season, it was Jaroslav Halak who carried Montreal deep into the postseason. This season, the surprise goaltender will be Pekka Rinne. Rinne won 33 games this year and posted the second best save percentage in the league with .930. Rinne and the Preds will give us our first upset of the postseason, by outlasting the Anaheim Ducks.

Predators win in five.

16. Lundqvist Shuts Down Ovechkin

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Brian Boyle #22 of the New York Rangers celebrate their 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathan Klein/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers solved Bruce Boudreau's Capitals three out of four times this year. In those four games, Lundqvist shot down Ovechkin. Ovechkin had 21 shots on goal and scored zero times. He only recorded two assists.

It will be the same story in the playoffs.

15. Eighth Seed Rangers Upset Top Seeded Capitals

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OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 04: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammates Wojtek Wolski #86 and Steve Eminger #44 in a game at Scotiabank Place on March 4, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo

Like I said in the previous slide, New York beat Washington three out of four times this season. Brandon Dubinsky and Sean Avery have what it takes to knock of Washington.

This is by far the boldest prediction I can make.

New York wins in six.

14. Philadelphia Bust out the Brooms

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Danny Briere #48 of The Philadelphia Flyers makes a save against the Buffalo Sabres during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Philadelphia knows how to play in the postseason. They showed that last year by making it all the way to the finals. 

This Flyers team scores 3.1 goals a game and has the third best offense in the NHL. These two teams split the season series 2-2, but Philly prevails in the postseason.

Flyers sweep in four.

13. Thomas Continues Dominance

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins makes the split save against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Tim Thomas was the best goaltender in the NHL this season. He won 35 games, posted a .938 save percentage, and only gave up two goals a game. He starts off postseason play against a Montreal team that averages only 2.1 goals a game and who holds the leagues 21st best offense.

Thomas continues the outstanding play in the postseason.

12. Boston Breezes by Habs

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck as Tomas Plekanec #14 of the Montreal Canadiens defends on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Unless Carey Price plays like an immortal, Boston will beat Montreal. 

Boston has a top five offense on top of the second best defense in the league. Even though Montreal has a solid defense, they struggle putting the puck in the net. The struggles will continue against a top goaltender like Tim Thomas.

Bruins in five.

11. Penguins Slide Past Tampa Bay

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 05: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his third goal of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 5, 2011 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

It is already clear that the Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby for the opener. I suspect he wont even play in this round. But even without Crosby, the Penguins still find success. Since Crosby went down, the Penguins went 23-13-3 and ended up with the same amount of points as their division winner Philadelphia. The Penguins found their success from their defense. Behind goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery, the Penguins had the sixth best defense in the league and the best penalty kill. The Penguins have a difficult task, playing against a Lightning team that ranks in the top ten in both goals per game and power play percentage, but the defense will carry them to round two.

Penguins in six.

10. Pekka Rinne vs. Roberto Luongo

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 7: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1of the Vancouver Canucks keeps an eye on the loose puck after stopping Matt Cullen #7 of the Minnesota Wild in close during the first period in NHL action on April 07, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver,

This matchup is a clash of the titans. Two of the top goaltenders in the NHL will face off in the second round and give fans a real treat. It is going to be hard to turn away from the television when these two goalies go head to head. Each of them won at least 33 games, had a save percentage of over .928, and a goals against average of at least 2.12 or lower.

This series will go the distance.

9. Luongo and the Canucks Triumph

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 29: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against David Legwand #11 of the Nashville Predators on March 29, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Because of the great goaltending, this series will go all seven games. However, the Canucks offense will prove to be to much for Rinne and the Nashville defense to handle.

Vancouver had the best offense in the NHL, they had the best power play in the NHL, they also had the best defense in the NHL. The Canucks ranked third in the league in penalty kill. This Vancouver team is too strong for Nashville to beat. But the series will be close.

Vancouver in seven.

8. Sharks Sink, Red Wings Advance

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 3: Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings has the puck knocked away by goalie Antti Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period of an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on March 3, 2011 in San Jose, California. The Sharks

Last season, San Jose knocked of Detroit in the second round in five games.

This season, they will meet in the second round again. Even though Detroit shows signs of struggling on defense, they still have on of the best offense in the league. Detroit scored 261 goals this season. They also had the fifth best power play, scoring 22.3 percent of the time. Detroit is going to beat San Jose because of the special teams. San Jose has one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL. Detroit will take advantage of that. 

Detroit beat the Sharks in six games.

7. Philadelphia Slams New York

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NEW YORK - MARCH 06: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the New York Rangers fights with Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 6, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

These Atlantic Division rivals will square off in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Philadelphia's strong offense will go up against one of the best goalies in the league in Henrik Lundqvist. The Flyers will prove they are legit contenders when the knock off New York.

Flyers advance to Eastern Conference Finals in five games.

6. The Comeback Kid

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 22: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against the Florida Panthers at Consol Energy Center on December 22, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

He's back! Sidney Crosby returns to the ice for the second round. After having one of the best first halves of a season the NHL has ever seen, Crosby returns from his 41 games absence and makes a huge impact for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

5. Crosby Comes Back, Beats Boston

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BOSTON - MARCH 18: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates around Vladimir Sobotka #60 of the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on March 18, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Another very bold prediction. But I can see it happening.

Seriously, if Crosby comes back and plays in the second round, will it surprise anyone if he ends up winning the series for Pittsburgh? He already has a Stanley Cup, a gold medal, and tons of hardware in his trophy case. He can do anything. 

If he doesn't come back, it will be very tough for Pittsburgh to beat the Bruins. But if he does return, which I predict he will, the Penguins beat Boston.

Penguins win in five games.

4. The Western Conference Finals

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 22: Roberto Luongo #1 and Aaron Rome #29 of the Vancouver Canucks stop a scoring attempt by Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings on December 22, 2010 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Canuck

This matchup is going to be the most exciting series out of the Western Conference. 

Detroit scored 261 goals (averaging 3.1 per game), and had the fifth best power play (scoring 22.3 percent of the time).

Vancouver scored 262 goals (averaging 3.1 per game), and had the best power play (scoring 24.4 percent of the time).

This series will be full of offense. The Canucks have the better defense and better goalie and that will be the reason they will be playing for the Stanley Cup.

Vancouver wins in six.

3. The Eastern Conference Finals

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 29: Tyler Kennedy #48 of the Pittsburgh Penguins handles the puck in front of Matt Carle #25 and Danny Briere #48 of the Philadelphia Flyers at Consol Energy Center on March 29, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K

The Eastern Conference Final is going to be the most exciting series in the entire postseason.

We have two teams from the same state playing for one spot in the Stanley Cup Final. On one side we have the Philadelphia Flyers, a team who was so close to winning the holy grail of hockey they could smell it. However, they fell short to the hands of the Blackhawks in six games. On the other side we have the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won it all in 2009 and are craving the Stanley Cup again.

The Flyers are carried by Jeff Carter, Claude Giroux, and an offense that ranks third in the NHL. 

The Penguins will make it this far because of their great play by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and their defense which has the best penalty kill in hockey.

The battle for Pennsylvania is going to be epic.

The "resurrection" of Sidney Crosby and the goaltending of Fleury are going to do it for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh reaches the Stanley Cup Final in seven games.

2. The Stanley Cup Finals

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 17: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins attempts to check Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks off the puck on November 17, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks

The 2009 Champs vs a team that historically has never reached it's potential and is eliminated early.

Fleury vs Luongo

This series is going to be incredible because it is full of superstars.

The Sedins, Luongo, and Kesler. Crosby, Staal, and Fleury.

But the great production from the Sedin twins and the brick wall goaltending of Roberto Luongo give the city of Vancouver their first ever Stanley Cup.

Vancouver in six.

1. Stanley Cup Finals MVP: Roberto Luongo

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 17: Goaltender Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks defends the net as Matt Cooke #24 of the Pittsburgh Penguins attempts to score on November 17, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Saba

Luongo was one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, he is not going to let up in the postseason. Luongo is going to be the reason the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup. He will put the team on his back and be awarded the MVP because of it.