So by the time I finish we should be under 30 minutes until we know who gets the first round pick. In the meantime time to break down our first round of the playoffs starting with the Eastern Conference
1 Philadelphia Flyers vs. 8 Montreal Canadians
Privately I figured that either Tampa Bay or Philly was going to win the qualifying round. Montreal's only chance is if they shut down the then Pens and to my surprise they did. Philly is a deeper team then the Pens and picked up right where they left off when the regular season freeze occurred. I don't put whole lot of stock in Montreal knocking off the Flyers, but as long as Price is healthy then they have a chance. Picking Flyers in 5 as I don't see them being able to rip off 7 wins in a row.
2 Tampa Bay vs. 7 Columbus
The Bolts are going to get revenge for being swept last year, but not until they get a bit of a scare. Korpisalo has been rock and will need to be if the Jackets are going to pull off another upset. Bolts are minus Stamkos and probably Hedman. Tampa's depth can probably sustain them against the Jackets. Jackets will go down swinging though Tampa Bay in 6.
3 Washington vs 6 NY Islanders
Washington, sadly, seeded right where I thought they would be after the qualifiers. Either team could win this series and I wouldn't be surprised. I'm being a homer though and picking the Caps in 7. We might get one game decided by more than a 1 goal margin
4 Boston vs 5 Carolina
A replay of the ECF from last season. Boston needs to find its scoring mojo and quick. Rask is the difference maker in this one though as Boston comes up with just enough to oust the Whalercanes in 6 games.
Western conference
1 Vegas vs 8 Chicago
Chicago proved that it can pile on the goals in the qualifiers, but Vegas is a solid built team top to bottom with 2 solid tenders should one flounder. Vegas has on bad game and one close game, but otherwise dispatches Chicago. Vegas in 5.
2 Colorado vs. 7 Arizona
Colorado played a solid qualifying round and came out on the wrong side of the equation against Vegas. Arizona won't be a push over either. Colorado is top to bottom better, but Kueper will steal a couple games Colorado in 6.
3 Dallas vs Flames
I don't honestly know what to expect from this series. Both teams have floundered the past few years come playoff time. I know that Matthew Tkachuk has come to play though and that's I think has more going for it than Dallas does. Flames in 6.
4 St. Louis vs 5 Vancouver
The Blues are in the worst draw they could get with the Canucks. The Blues are going to have to grind it out if they want to get to the second round and even though they won the cup last year, Vancouver looked pretty solid in the qualifier so they are my pick. Canucks in 6.
