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

The parity in the NHL is so great that for me, this is the most difficult year to try to figure out who will win each playoff series, much less the Stanley Cup.

There is probably only one series I'd bet my first born on (Wait a second...I will actually have a first born soon! Scratch that). That series is the New Jersey Devils over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have been playing so bad and have no business being in the post-season, squeaking into the final game playing a lousy New York Rangers team who couldn't make it despite Henrik Lundqvist mustering up nearly 50 saves in the loss. Being anchored with Brian Boucher in goal is the kiss of death.

There is no one powerhouse running roughshod over the entire league. Every team is beatable, and I think anyone who is considering wagering large amounts on who's going all the way this year is, well, likely is a bit reckless in other areas of their life.

Having said all that, the first round I think will go this way:

East:
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens: Caps in five
New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers: Devils in four
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins: Sabres in five
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators: Pens in seven (Prove me wrong Alfie, please!)

West:
San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche: Sharks in six
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators: Hawks in six
Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings: Canucks in five
Phoenix Coyotes vs Detroit Red Wings: Wings in seven