Fan In Van

Post Your Playoff Predictions!

Mid-April brings a lot of uncertainty in the NHL. For the Vancouver Canucks franchise, only one thing seems certain at this point: Sportsnet play-by-play announcer Jim Hughson will not be calling games for the Vancouver Canucks any more. Everything else … Well, it’s all uncertain at this stage. At FanInVan.Com, we want to hear YOUR playoff predictions. The person who gets the most correct first round predictions will receive my personal thumbs up! Behold, my bold playoff predictions!

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators: This is an easy one. We all know what Detroit is capable of and it’s hard to see them being upset by the Central Division foe they’ve had a lot of success against. The only thing that is unpredictable is the play of Dan Ellis going into the postseason. Ellis has been very good throughout the season and it’s hard to say if he’ll flop or steal a few games for the Predators. But let’s be frank; the Red Wings have tons more playoff experience than the Predators: There are 23 Stanley Cup rings for Detroit and only 3 rings for Nashville. Detroit in 5.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames: Evgeni Nabokov vs. Miikka Kiprusoff. Joe Thornton vs. Jarome Iginla. Brian Campbell vs. Dion Phaneuf. Contrary to what a lot of experts think, the top players from San Jose are evenly matched with the top guns from Calgary. The only difference between the two is that San Jose roared into the playoffs while Calgary had to wait until the second last game of the season to get into the postseason. This one will be close. San Jose in 7.

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche: Well, the Avs are back into the postseason after missing it for the first time since before they moved to Denver. In all retrospect this series will depend largely on how Jose Theodore performs. Theodore won the starting role back from Peter Budaj but has not had a lot of success in the second season. Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Marian Gaborik are all big-time playoff performers so this series is going to be decided between Nicklas Backstrom and Theodore. Colorado in 6.

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars: Canuck fans are about to find out if Marty Turco’s success against them was a result of him finally bumping the playoff jitters or if their offence was really that bad in the playoffs. Turco’s got it in tough with a Ducks team that can play offense in a pinch but play a real mean style of game. Whether or not Brad Richards is able to lift his Stars team through a tough Anaheim defence will be the deciding factor. Mike Ribeiro was a virtual no-show last playoff and he must step up if Dallas gets anywhere. Anaheim in 5.

Eastern Conference

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins: It’s amazing how a team like Montreal went from missing the playoffs to finishing first in the whole Conference, altogether not adding many huge pieces during the offseason. Alexei Kovalev has been their go-to man all season and has had a good attitude throughout. Boston, however, are no slouch themselves; Marc Savard presents a handful of problems and lovable grinder Milan Lucic can set the tone with his physical style of play. If Koivu and Streit can come back quickly the series will finish quickly. Montreal in 4.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators: The Penguins lost their last game of the season, perhaps even tanked it. Why would they do that? They could’ve faced the Bruins, perhaps an easier opponent, but are now facing the Sens having lost their final game. Perhaps the Penguins feel confident they can put away the Eastern Conference champion who eliminated them in the first round. The addition of Marian Hossa versus his old club will help the Penguins, but the Senators have also been in a downward spiral similar to that of the Canucks. Penguins in 6.

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers: Two people are breaking their playoff cherries here: Alexander Ovechkin and Martin Biron. Ironically, it’ll be both of these players who will make the difference. Ovechkin says he will take his game to a new level if his team makes the playoffs and now he’s here. Martin Biron waited nine seasons to make the postseason. The addition of three-time Cup winner Sergei Fedorov at the deadline can pay huge dividends for the Capitals here. Capitals in 7.

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers: Scott Gomez versus his old team whom he won two Stanley Cups with. Well, this is awkward. Here is where Chris Drury really earns the bajillion-dollar contract he signed in the offseason. Drury is just as clutch as they come and can score the timeliest of goals. There’s a huge difference in playoff experience between goaltenders, as Brodeur has three Cups and 164 playoff games under his belt whereas Lundqvist has zero Cups and 13 playoff games. That being said, the Ranger offense is far and away better than the Devils. Rangers in 7.

Post your playoff predictions now!