Eastern Conference
1 Rangers over 8 Senators in 5
Senators overachieved as it was this year, and they definitely have a keeper for the future (albeit late bloomer) in Milan Michalek, a "throw-in" from the disastrous Jonathan Cheechoo trade. It's Lundqvist's world and we're all just living in it. For the first few rounds, anyways.
4 Penguins over 5 Flyers in 7
All season long we said that a healthy Penguins team is the team to beat. Well, Sid's back, with 25 points in 14 games since returning. Anything else?
6 Devils over 3 Panthers in 4
Panthers winning the Southeast (38-26-18 was like the Seahawks winning that god-awful NFC West back in 2010 at 7-9. And yeah I know Seattle wound up beating the Saints. But this isn't an "any given Sunday" league, and Marshawn Lynch isn't lacing 'em up for Florida. David Puddy's team advances with ease.
2 Bruins over 7 Capitals in 4
Speaking of Puddy, you're thinking, "a sweep, really Lev? You start doing meth again?" And I'll give a Puddy answer: Yeah, that's right. To a sweep, of course. Braden Holtby doesn't scare me.
Western Conference
1 Canucks over 8 Kings in 5
Had San Jose somehow tumbled to the 8-seed rather than LA, I'd be calling for upset city and the ultimate burning of the fine Canadian province of British Columbia. Which will happen, just not in the first round. Keep an eye on Daniel Sedin though. If he's not healthy, and if Roberto Luongo plays like Bobby Luongo (his mediocre alter-ego), we could have something here.
5 Red Wings over 4 Predators in 7
Is it really an upset if I'm picking the Red Wings? By the way this is just the second time since 1991 the Red Wings have opened the post-season on the road. And they've been in the post-season every season between now and then. With Nicklas Lidstrom the lone mainstay.
3 Coyotes over 6 Blackhawks in 6
Tim Thomas is a fairly average name. So is Mike Smith. See where I'm going here? By the way Corey Crawford congratulations on being this year's winner of "Razor Burn", given out to the second-year goalie who regresses so horridly it reminds me of what Andrew "The Razor" Raycroft did once upon a time.
7 Sharks over 2 Blues in 7
One of these years, San Jose has to get to the Cup Finals. Right? Brian Elliot injured for the Blues doesn't factor in my decision here, either. Halak is just fine. San Jose answered the bell when they had to by winning their final four games of the season, eliminating Dallas and finishing ahead of Los Angeles by sweeping both. Don't forget, Antti Niemi won the Cup with Chicago in 2010.
Eastern Conference Finals: Bruins over Rangers, 6 Games
Western Conference Finals: Sharks over Red Wings, 7 Games
2012 Stanley Cup Champions: Boston Bruins. Called the repeat before the season and I'm not backing off now. Now excuse me while I go dust off my 2011 Stanley Cup Champions Hat.
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