EAST

#1. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VERSUS #4. NEW YORK ISLANDERS

This series offers one of the best offenses in the game from the Penguins versus one of the best defenses on the ice. The Islanders I will throw out there. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has a grinding style of play that could wear out the Penguins superstars. Penguins I always pick, but every year they are a disappointment with their early exits. Islanders meanwhile you think they will be quickly eliminated but always find a way to get deep in the playoffs. Fool me once, fool me a dozen times… I’m Going New York in this one. Besides good defenses prevail mostly over good offenses in sports.

PREDICTION: ISLANDERS IN SIX

#2.WASHINGTON CAPITALS VERSUS #3.BOSTON BRUINS

The Capitals biggest question is the goalie. Capitals are banged up as well. The Bruins finished the season off strong. Bruins have played well since acquiring Taylor Hall from Buffalo. Boston now has more than one line on this team that can do Van-damage, unlike last year’s team.

PREDICTION: BRUINS IN FIVE

#1.CAROLINA HURRICANES VERSUS #4.NASHVILLE PREDATORS

I like the Hurricanes winning the entire thing this post-season. The Hurricanes have the best power play and penalty kill of any team in the post season.

The Predators will not survive the hurricane that Carolina has to offer. Predators lack scoring. Look for the Nashville team to be extinct after this series. Straight to the tar pits for them.

PREDICTION: HURRICANES SWEEP

#2.FLORIDA PANTHERS VERSUS #3. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The battle of Florida seriously in hockey. I think of Florida rivalries and I think of College football in the sunshine state. This might be the best series in the first round of the playoffs. I would like to see a Joel Quenneville team go deep into the playoffs.

The former Blackhawk coach has the Panthers playing some inspired hockey this season. The champs are too much to handle for this Panther team. The Lightning experience is the X-factor in this one. It will go the distance in this Rocky Balboa Vs. Apollo Creed fight.

PREDICTION: LIGHTNING IN SEVEN

WEST

#1.TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VERSUS #4. MONTREAL CANADIANS

The Canadians picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue.

Canadians are backing into the playoffs playing terrible hockey. Look for the Maple Leafs finally getting to the next round for the first time since 2004.

PREDICTION MAPLE LEAFS IN FIVE

#2.EDMONTON OILERS VERSUS #3.WINNIPEG JETS

The Jets can’t stop Oilers Superstar Connor McDavid and it is the key to the series and the Edmonton dismantling the Jets. McDavid averaged 2.4 points per game off the Jets this season. The Oilers match up well versus the Jets unlike last year when the Blackhawks upset Edmonton in a short series.

PREDICTION: OILERS IN FIVE

#1.COLORADO AVALANCHE VERSUS #4. ST.LOUIS BLUES

Avalanche have 22 home wins compared to the Blues’ 12 home wins. Avalanche should easily put St. Louis down in this series. The Avalanche has too many weapons and too much fire power. The fat lady has already sung and it was not the Blues.

PREDICTION: AVALANCHE SWEEP

#2.VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VERSUS #3.MINNESOTA WILD

I think the Wild will make this an interesting series while the Golden Knights figure out who will be their goalie. The one that will be the brick wall of stopping the most shots by Minnesota. The Golden Knights have the best goalie tandem in Robin Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury. Golden Knights are built to go deep in the playoffs. Wild have shown they played better this season than last year. Golden Knights at the end will prevail.

PREDICTION: GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN SIX