NHL Playoff Preview/Predictions

The “REAL” season begins in just over 24 hours for the NHL, as the 2008 playoffs kick off on several fronts.  Can the Ducks repeat?  Who is this years dark-horse?  And most important, will my Pittsburgh Penguins win a round or four perhaps??!!  All the answers in my first ever Duke of Sports NHL playoff predictions. 

Eastern Conference

Habs over Bruins in 6 (Unless the Montreal PP goes in the tank, they should be able to conquer the Boo-ins)
Pens over Sens in 5 (Not too often you see a team so crappy make the playoffs like Ottawa)
Devils over Rangers in 7 (Low scoring bore-fest, but Marty should outduel Henrik in the end)
Flyers over Caps in 7 (I know Ovechkin is on fire, but the Flyers like to goon it up, I sense an upset)

Habs over Flyers in 6 (Price could be in full swing “Patrick Roy” mode by this series, game over Philly)
Pens over Devils in 6 (This is a fact, Marty Brodeur has his worst career stats vs the Pens, trend continues)

Pens over Habs in 7 (Bell Centre will be silenced by Sid and the boyz, with Fleury outshining Price)

Western Conference

Wings over Preds in 6 (The Preds won’t be a cake-walk, but it’s asking much for them to upset)
Sharks over Flames in 6 (Maybe the best opening rounder, with Thornton out-dueling Iginla)
Avs over Wild in 7 (A mild upset, but the Avs played well down the stretch, and plus I hate Lemaire!!)
Stars over Ducks in 7 (One and done for the Ducks, there will be a new Cup champ come June)

Wings over Avs in 6 (I still think the Wings are over-rated, but they should be able to outclass Colorado)
Sharks over Stars in 6 (This is the year of the Shark I do believe, Nabokov will be key in this low scorer)

Sharks over Wings in 6 (Cue up the Jaws theme, the Sharks are going to their first ever Stanley Cup Final)

Stanley Cup Final

Sharks over Pens in 6 (It pains me to say, but the Pens are still one year away from being “THE” team to beat.  Nabokov over Thornton and Crosby for the Conn Smythe)