2011 NHL Playoffs: 1st-Round Predictions for Lord Stanley's Cup

Sunday saw the grueling 82-game National Hockey League season come to a wild end, answering all the questions of how the first-round matchups would look. The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks barely made the cut after failing to fulfill their own destiny and having to depend on an unlikely Dallas Stars loss. In the East the Rangers avoided a last-second elimination for the second year in a row thanks to the spoiler effort put forth by the Lightning, beating the ninth-place Hurricanes in their final game.

So it all comes down to the next two-and-a-half months. The last 82 games have just been practice for 16 NHL teams and now is the real test. The road to the Stanley Cup. These are my first-round predictions as to who we will see become the next "history will be made" commercial.

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 Chicago Blackhawks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks reacts after colliding with Viktor Stalberg #25 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in NHL action on February 04, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia,

This one should be a great series—a repeat of the past two playoff seasons, but this time Vancouver is the powerhouse and the 'Hawks are the underdogs. I think the Blackhawks will put up one hell of a fight, and if they happen to jump on a hot streak, they have the potential to knock off the juggernaut of this year. But I don't think they will.

As long as Luongo can hold up with the extra rest he has gotten, the Canucks just have entirely too much firepower on forward and shutdown power back on defense. The Canucks have finally got all the pieces in place for a deep playoff run. Although the Blackhawks may squeeze out a win or two, it will ultimately be Vancouver advancing to the second round.

My Prediction: Vancouver Canucks in five games.

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save as Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks looks for the rebound during the NHL game at Staples Center on March 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings

If this matchup were to take place three months ago, the outcome may be a little different, but the Kings' outlook is bleak. With Anze Kopitar as well as Justin Williams out for at least the first couple of games, the Kings just do not have the offensive firepower to drown the Sharks. Drew Doughty will have to play a major role just to silence one of the Sharks top lines.

San Jose will be a major contender for the Cup this year as in the last couple of years the big three in Heatley, Marleau and Thornton have failed to put up the numbers that they have needed. But this year the Sharks have another big three in their second line with Pavelski, Clowe and the rookie phenom Couture. Dan Boyle has had a 50-point year on D and with the defending Stanley Cup goaltender between the pipes, the Sharks will dominate the Kings.

My Prediction: San Jose Sharks in four games.

No. 3 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 6 Pheonix Coyotes

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 28: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings keeps an eye on the play as does teammate goalie Chris Osgood #30 and Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on October 28, 2010 in Detroit, Michig

A replay of last year's first round only with the teams reversed, and I wouldn't expect anything less than what last year's series was either. Last year it took the Wings seven games to oust the 'Yotes at Jobing.com Arena. If the Wings hope to have any chance of being the dominant playoff force they have been over the last 19 years they really need to turn things around and dig deep to get things together. The Coyotes have had a solid year and with Norris Trophy-mention Keith Yandle on defense and a healthy Shane Doan the 'Yotes could give the Wings some trouble. 

This one has so many factors that could affect the outcome I could write all day about the analysis but I will stick to the main points of Yandle and Doan, and for the Wings, Zetterberg and goaltending. The Red Wings will need to hold off the Coyotes at least long enough for Z to come back (he is hoping for a Game 2 return) and to do that, Jimmy Howard will have to be solid. He has been streaky this year and if the Wings can bring back the play they started the season with, they should be able to squeeze out of the first round. With so much playoff experience, this team is always a threat in the playoffs and I believe they will pull this one out.

My Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in seven games. 

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 24: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks watches a puck shot by teammate Teemu Selanne #8 get past Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators for a goal on March 24, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by F

This series has the potential to be one intense matchup. The Ducks have been one of the hottest teams in the league as of late with high scoring from Corey Perry. They are going up against the Nashville Predators who are known for their epic goaltending and shutdown defense in Shea Weber. I have this series going deep into April and possibly seven games if Rinne can keep Perry to a minimum amount of goals.

Anaheim also has a bit of a goaltending situation in the fact that Jonas Hiller has been out with Vertigo symptoms and Ray Emery has limited recent experience. I think that could really be the X-factor for the Ducks and could change the outcome of this series. On the other hand, Rinne has been supernatural and I think he has the ability to lead the Predators out of the first round for the first time in franchise history.

My Prediction: Nashville Predators in seven games.

No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 8 New York Rangers

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Michael Sauer #38 of the New York Rangers and Jason Chimera #25 of the Washington Capitals fight during the first period at the Verizon Center on February 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Caps have some of the scariest regular-season firepower in the league; the playoffs have been a different story however. This needs to be the year that Washington steps up and I think it is fully capable of doing so. Although the Rangers may have dominated the Caps in the season series, with Callahan out for the first round and the Caps' new focus on defense, I don't think the Rangers will be able to pull it off. They may have enough goals in Gaborik and Dubinsky but the Capitals will just overpower the Blueshirts.

Even if Neuvirth and Varlamov fold under the pressure (which I wouldn't expect) Holtby still has the ability to lead the Caps past the Rangers. And although Lundqvist is one of the best in the league, the Rangers just won't pull off this year's upset of the Capitals.

My Prediction: Washington Capitals in six games.

No. 2 Philadelphia Flyers vs No. 7 Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 08: Jhonas Enroth #1 of the Buffalo Sabres deflects a shot by Kris Versteeg #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers at HSBC Arena on April 8, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Sabres have really been a quiet team all year and many didn't even realize they were going to make the playoffs until they were already in. Ryan Miller is going to need to be phenomenal if the Sabres want to take this series past four games.

The Flyers are back again this year and with a vengeance. If Pronger can come back and help the Flyers play solid defense, Philadelphia's chances will increase exponentially as the D will complement the mighty firepower on offense. The question mark for the Flyers is, again, the goaltender, but Bobrovsky has been good as a rookie and Leighton is back in the talk as well. Although the Flyers have been less than their normal selves for the past month, I think it will take more than the Sabres have to knock them out.

My Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers in five games.

No. 3 Boston Bruins vs No. 6 Montreal Canadiens

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 09: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins and Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens fight in the second period on February 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The photo says it all. This one will be a goaltenders duel. Carey Price has been the Canadiens team to end the season and Tim Thomas in my mind is the undoubted Vezina Trophy winner for his incredible play all year.

This Original Six battle is setting up to be probably the most exciting first-round series in a long time. After the brawl-filled game and the Chara hit earlier this season, the rivalry is in full tilt to start this series. This one is going to be long and rough, and when it all comes down to it, it's going to be determined by which goaltender can outplay the other. I'm going to go against most people in this one and expect the performance of the season from Price and watch for the Canadiens to be the Eastern Conference's dark horse again.

My Prediction: Montreal Canadiens in seven games.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 05: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning handles the puck against Craig Adams #27 of the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 5, 2011 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Imag

Even without Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a force in the East. Kris Letang is one of the premiere defensemen in the league complemented by the always-stunning goaltending of Marc-André "Flower" Fleury, they haven't looked like they've missed their top scorers much.

The Lightning have two of the scariest forwards in the game in St. Louis and Stamkos, especially on the power play, but have looked streaky in net with the 40-year-old Roloson. It's going to come down to whether Rolly can stop the Pens. If he can play the way he is capable of, I think the Pens may have something to worry about. But Fleury may be too much for the TB snipers and should lead his team through to the next round.

My Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.