NHL Playoffs: 5 Predictions for 2011

With the NHL playoffs starting Wednesday, we embark on one of the best postseasons in all of sports. 

This year is sure to bring about some surprising upsets, inevitable heartbreak, and for a lucky few, unequivocal joy.

It is a great time to be a hockey fan, and with that we look at five predictions for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Blackhawks Will Lose in the First Round

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: (L-R) Jonathan Toews #19, Brent Seabrook #7, Patrick Sharp #10, Marian Hossa #81 and Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate keiths' 3rd period goal against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on April 10, 2011 i

The current Stanley Cup champs were lucky to make it into the playoffs.  In their must-win final game against Detroit they couldn't get the job done. 

They backed into the eighth spot by virtue of a Dallas Stars loss on the last day of the season. 

Their first round opponent, the Vancouver Canucks, have by far the best goal differential of any team, and will be looking for payback from being ousted by the Hawks the past two seasons.

The Rangers Will Eliminate the 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

Could the No. 1 seeded Caps lose to an No. 8 seed for the second year in a row? 

Very likely.  

Young goaltender Mical Neuvirth will go up against seasoned veteran Henrik Lundqvist. 

The Capitals have been dominant this season, cruising to the top spot in the East. 

The Rangers have had to overcome injuries and fight until the final game.

The question will be, can that resiliance carry them to the semifinals?

The Coyotes Will Upset the Redwings

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes in action during the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Jobing.com Arena on March 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian

This is a rematch of last year's opening round game seven series. 

The Red Wings have been arguably the most successful franchise of the last two decades. 

The Coyotes as an organization have not advanced to the semifinals since they were in Winnipeg in 1993. 

They do have one thing going for them though: Ilya Bryzgalov. 

If the Coyote netminder can perform like he has most of the season, the Coyotes will finally break through that first round wall.

The Buffalo Sabres Will Advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 08: Players from the Buffalo Sabres skate to Thomas Vanek #26 after Vanek scored the game winning goal in overtime against Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers at HSBC Arena on April 8, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo wo

When the calender turned to 2011, most had written off the Sabres. 

They had a critical injury to Derek Roy that forced him to miss most of the season and and Ryan Miller was looking human again. 

Since then they have been one of the best teams in the NHL. 

If they can get past the Flyers in the first round, they have a good chance of going all the way to the finals, as Buffalo has not lost to Montreal or Boston since January. 

The Vancouver Canucks Will Win the Stanley Cup

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: Vancouver Canucks mascot Fin waves a team flag after the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Los Angeles Kings in NHL action on March 31, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

The time is finally here for Canada to once again be home to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. 

The Canucks have a pair of Art Ross Trophy winners, one of the best centers in the game in Ryan Kesler, and a goalie who can be unstoppable. 

They led the NHL in goals per game and goals against, had the best power play, and the third best penalty kill. 

This looks like your 2011 Stanley Cup champion.