The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

The season has passed by so quickly, and it's amazing how an 82 game season that lasts just over six months can quickly be forgotten in less than two weeks. NHL playoffs are an exciting time for hockey fans, but for some (like myself) it can also be stressful and exhausting. So much emotion can be poured into your team, and sometimes I wonder why I get worked up so much over something I have absolutely no control over. The players don't know who I am...Ben who? SB....D?

But I watch anyway.

Alright, I'm going to make some predictions for the 1st round. I'm going to save my Sens & Penguins prediction for tomorrow. Let's go:

Eastern Conference:

1. Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders - This is probably the only series where I can guarantee a winner. The Islanders, Canadiens and Maple Leafs battled hard to try to get that final spot in the playoffs, but it's only for the right to get creamed by the Buffalo Sabres. SABRES IN FOUR.

2. New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning - Larry Robinson said it's 80% goaltending, and the Devils have the best goaltender in the league, while the Lightning have one of the worst heading into the playoffs. I imagine Lecavalier and St Louis will make it somewhat interesting, but it's Marty the Party's show here. DEVILS IN SIX.

3. Atlanta Thrashers vs New York Rangers - Atlanta is just happy they made it. This is the franchise's first time in the playoffs and I think their third seeding in the East is very misleading. Up front, I like the veteran presence of Shanahan and Jagr moreso than Hossa and Kovalchuk. And I believe in Lundqvist more; I think the Rangers can pull it off. RANGERS IN SIX.

Western Conference:

1. Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames - Despite the picks I made in my pool, I do hope the Flames can get by, but I don't think it's going to happen. They've built little momentum in the last few weeks while Detroit seems unstoppable. Hasek is healthy, and they can make it a nightmare for the opposition to score. They only had 4 regulation losses at home all year. This team is going to be scary...unless Datsyuk remembers he already signed his new contract. RED WINGS IN FIVE.

2. Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild: No team works harder perhaps than the Wild under Lemaire's watch. But Anaheim has too much experience and a much better defensive corps that will make it a battle for any team they face this Spring. Minnesota has gotten healthier while rookie goaltender Niklas Backstrom has had an amazing season. Combined with nothing to lose, they could do some damage, but not that much. DUCKS IN SIX.

3. Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars: Both teams seems to have trouble finding a bonafide scorer. Naslund has just come off one of his worst seasons while Mike Modano has been injured for most of the year. It'll come down to goaltending, and Roberto Luongo may be the best in the West. Marty Turco has struggled in past playoffs, but even if he can regain his regular season form, Luongo is the man every team would want between the pipes. CANUCKS IN SEVEN.

4. Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks. I personally think the Predators are the most overrated team in the West. The addition of Forsberg won't mean much when he's scratched due to injury. I like the Sharks: Joe Thornton is the best forward in the West, and their goaltending is solid. SHARKS IN SIX.