Play-off Predictions

Western Conference:

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (8)

Prediction: Red Wings in 6

Why the Oil will lose:

The Oilers are the sentimental favorite, and always put up a good fight in the play-offs, but don't have the mental toughness to beat the Wings. They'll make it close, but their highly emotional style of play works against them when they’re losing. The Oil are either really up, or really down, there is no in between. On the other side, the Red Wings racked up points in a division that featured three of the NHL's worst teams, so their 124 points should be taken with a grain of salt. But make no mistake, this team is no slouch. Manny Legace and Dwayne Rolosen are the wild cards in this series.

Dallas (2) vs. Colorado (7)

Prediction: Dallas in 4

Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix will be the leagues smartest man or the leagues biggest idiot by the end of this season. It all depends on how well Jose Theodore plays in the play-offs. Lacroix took a flyer on the former Hart Trophy winner in hopes he could find his old form. Early returns say no, but if Theodore gets hot, he has the potential to out duel Marty Turco handily. Dallas won 12 games in the shootout this season, which won't happen in the play-offs, but they only won 2 in overtime. That may be cause for concern. Unfortunately, I don't think Theodore will find himself before this series is over.

Calgary (3) vs. Anaheim (6)

Calgary in 7

Calgary has the top goalie in the Western Conference, and stifling team defense. However, someone besides Iggy needs to find a scoring touch, or Calgary will be golfing much earlier than anyone predicted. J. S. Giguere has been phenomenal as of late. If he and Selanne can get it going, Anaheim could be headed to the conference finals. Anaheim has the edge because they have more depth on offence, and a better blue line, but Kipper is going to steal this series for the Flames.

Nashville (4) vs. San Jose (5)

San Jose in 4

Nashville peaked way to early in the season, then lost their best player, goalie Tomas Vokoun, maybe for good. San Jose is peaking at the right time, and has the unstoppable Thornton - Cheechoo combination. Nashville has the talent to win, but as with Detriot, their record is somewhat watered down thanks to a week division. San Jose was red hot coming into the play-offs, but history shows that means absolutely nothing. Still...


Eastern Conference:

Ottawa Senators (1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (8)

Prediction: Tampa in 7

Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza were the leagues top line combination when they were healthy. Ottawa boasts the leagues top group of defenseman in Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, Brian Pothier, and Andrei Meszaros. Ottawa's goaltending is superior to Tampa Bay's. So what gives? Intangibles. This is still the same team that won the Stanley Cup two years ago (minus Cory Stillman who did nothing practically nothing during that run, except get pounded by Andrew Ference). If Burke or Graham get hot (a big if) Tampa's got it. The wild card in all this is Martin Havlat, who missed most of the season with an assortment of injuries and suspensions.

Carolina Hurricanes (2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (7)

Predictions: Montreal in 7

The Hurricanes pulled the same trick as Nashville and peaked to early in the year. You could almost say the same about Montreal. Huet has tailed off lately, but Chris Higgins and Garth Murray have really come on. Are those two going to be able to carry the team? Absolutely not! Montreal usually has trouble with bigger teams, but the Canes aren't a physical team, which plays right into Montreal's hands. Carolina has a lot of talent, but it's old talent. A long play-off series isn't going to help them.

New Jersey (3) vs. New York (6)

Prediction: New Jersey in 5

The Rangers accomplished their goal of making the play-offs. Now that they're there, they're going to call it a successful season and pack it in. New Jersey is smoking hot right now. I don't care how good Jagr is, Brodeur is better. New Jersey has no Scott Neidermayer, and no Stevens, but neither does New York, and they don't have Brodeur, either. Make no mistake, the Rangers are good, but they lack the mental toughness to get past the Devils.

Buffalo Sabers (4) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5)

Prediction: Buffalo in 6

Philly has the talent to win, but can they stay healthy? If Forsberg gets hurt, Buffalo wins in a cakewalk. Philly gets the goaltending edge, but the Sabers youth and speed are built for the play-offs. This series will be greatly affected by the quality of the officiating. If the refs call it tight, Buffalo wins, but if the game turns into a hook and hold clutch fest, well, Philly will walk all over the smaller Sabers.