2010-2011 NHL Playoff Picks & Predictions; The Next Stanley Cup Champions

Eastern Conference -1st Round
#1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8. New York Rangers
The Penguins ended a 12 game winning streak recently by losing two games, including one against these very same New York Rangers. Although the Rangers are currently 2-1 against the Penguins this season, I cannot foresee the Rangers being able to overcome the Penguins offense in the Playoffs. The Rangers will end up in the 8th seed due to a tough schedule including upcoming games between the Penguins and Flyers who are both in their division. The Rangers will take a couple of games, but Pittsburgh will win the series.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins win the series 4-2

#2. Montreal Canadiens vs. #7. Atlanta Thrashers
Montreal has shown that they can not only play defensive hockey, but put together an impressive offensive display as well shown by their 4-3 win over the Penguins on December 16 while racking up 41 shots on goal. Byfuglien is having the dream season any defensemen could only dream of, and is leading the Thrashers through what has been a successful start to the 2010-2011 season. I don't see Atlanta bringing the intensity in the playoffs against the Canadiens who will have home ice advantage, and may have more supporters on the road than the Thrashers can get to support them. Canadiens win easily.
Prediction: Montreal Canadiens win the series 4-0

#3. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #6. Washington Capitals
The Capitals started off as one of the hottest teams in the entire NHL until they went through a brutal seven game losing streak (currently still going on). Tampa Bay benefits from the downfall and takes over first place in the Southeast. The Lightning have been a much better road team than the Caps, but could Tampa Bay really outlast the Capitals in a 7 game series? Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin are too much for Tampa Bay to handle over 7 games.
Prediction: Washington Capitals win the series 4-3

#4. Philadelphia Flyers vs. #5. Boston Bruins
The temporary loss of Pronger will prove to slow the Bruins down, but the team should be completely healthy by the time the playoffs role around. Tim Thomas is dominating in the net with a 14-3-3 record and a 95.1% save percentage. The Flyers will prove to be a major challenge as they currently lead the league in goals scored. Bobrovsky and Boucher have been a dynamic duo in the net and should be able to counter Tim Thomas as the Flyers offense will lead Philadelphia to a series win over Boston.
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers win the series 4-2

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
#1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #6. Washington Capitals
Crosby versus Ovechkin once again! This battle should go down to the wire but I like the Penguins to take the series in 7 games due to their experience and leadership on the team. This could go either way, but I'll take the Pens.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins win the series 4-3

#2. Montreal Canadiens vs. #4. Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers have just a little bit more fire power than the Habs. I could see this going either way, and as we witnessed in previous years, this series is unpredictable.
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers win the series 4-2

Eastern Conference Finals
#1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #4. Philadelphia Flyers
A heated matchup between Atlantic division rivals. The Flyers have had the number of the Penguins all season so far. I like a seven game series to go in favor of the Flyers. Bobrovsky has really stepped it up in games that have mattered, take him over the Penguins potent offense.
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers win the series 4-3

Western Conference
#1. Detroit Red Wings vs. #8. Anaheim Ducks
The Red Wings have been among the league's best in keeping penalty minutes to a minimum, and are third in the league in goals forced per game. The Red Wings have exceeded expectations this season and will have little trouble beating out the Ducks, who need much more than Jonas Hiller in the net to stop the Wings.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings win the series 4-1

#2. Colorado Avalanche vs. #7. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have felt the pain of having a target painted on their back's. The Blackhawks will play up to their capacity when the playoffs come around and they have to face the Avalanche who will have home advantage. The Avalanche are leading the league in average goals scored per game, but are also in the bottom five in goals allowed per game, which the Blackhawks are just as bad with a 89.7% save percentage. The Blackhawks will need to avoid injury problems especially with Hossa battling the injury bug throughout the season. Expect the Blackhawk's playoff experience to become a factor and lead Chicago to a close series victory.
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks win the series 4-3

#3. Dallas Stars vs. #6. San Jose Sharks
Both teams have had average efforts out of their goaltending and defense, but both have had good results out of their offenses. Heatley, Clowe, and Thornton will lead the Sharks offense past the Stars in a tight battle. I just don't see Lehtonen being able to stop the Sharks down the stretch.
Prediction: San Jose Sharks win the series 4-3

#4. Vancouver Canucks #5. Nashville Predators
These teams have yet to play each other and would make for an interesting matchup. Not interesting to watch, just interesting to predict. The Canucks are tied for second in power play goals but 24th in overall shots on goal. The Predators are 28th in power play goals and 24th in overall goals. The Predators have been too sluggish on offense to keep up with Vancouver in the playoffs.
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks win the series 4-2

Western Conference Semi-Finals
#1. Detroit Red Wings vs. #7. Chicago Blackhawks
Jimmy Howard has already led the Red Wings to 17 wins on the season and has a 91.2% save percentage. The Blackhawks have not been clicking on all cylinders this season and I do not see them being able to pull things together enough to stop the Red Wings.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings win the series 4-2

#5. Nashville Predators vs. #6. San Jose Sharks
San Joe's offense will take care of the Predators in another close series.
Prediction: San Jose Sharks win the series 4-3

Western Conference Finals
#1. Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 San Jose Sharks
Red Wings have the offense to keep up with the Sharks and a great defense, I don't see the Sharks winning more than a game in the series. Detroit moves on to the Stanley Cup.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings win the series 4-1

Stanley Cup Finals
Detroit Red Wings vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Red Wings had the much easier road to the cup in these predictions, but Philadelphia isn't a team that would get worn out easy. Datsyuk and Zetterberg will have a great battle with Timonen and Pronger. This is a fantastic matchup as both teams have great offensive and defensive stars and even hall of famers. When it comes down to the series, I have to go with Detroit in 6 games.
Stanley Cup Champions: Detroit Red Wings