Eastern Conference

The last three Stanley Cups have come from the Eastern Conference. Can they do it again? We will see. And we will of course have a slew of NHL picks during the playoffs. “Sid the kid,” is the youngest scoring champion in sports history at the young ripe age of 19, will go up against a great team in the Ottawa Senators. This is probably the highest scoring of the four other Eastern Conference series and its going to be a blast to watch. Watch out for the Tampa Bay Lighting taking on New Jersey. Lecavalier can take over a series but Brodeur can shut you down. If Tampa can overcome having a rookie (Johan Holmqvist) start in net they may upset the No. 2 seed in the East. Did somebody say Buffalo? Tied for the most points in the league this season with 113, you had better mention Buffalo. Our pick from the Eastern Conference will come from the high scoring Sabres, watch out they may just sweep this first series. Last but not least the Thrashers go up against the Rangers. Let’s go RANGERS! Ok, ok no picking sides here but who doesn’t love Ranger’s playoff hockey? Come on now! The Rangers have their hands full in Hossa and Kovalchuk. But who knows, maybe Brenda (I’ve always wanted to say that) Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr could pull out a series win.

Western Conference

Check out our free hockey picks. One of the most intriguing matchups in the Western Conference is between (4) Nashville and (5) San Jose. Nashville ended with 110 points but San Jose was right behind them with 107. Oh ya’ and “Peter the great”plays for Nashville now, one of the most clutch playoff players of recent years. The Western Conference has seven teams with over 100 points! Any team in the West could go to the Stanley Cup this year. However, one team stands out in our minds and that is the Anaheim Ducks. I mean who can go against one of the top defensive players in the league in Chris Pronger? Scott Niedermayer, Andy McDonald and Teemu Selanne are a few more players the Wild have to watch out for. Although Calgary struggled late in the season they still have a shot against Detroit. Stranger things have happened. Well maybe not, a No. 8 seed beating a No. 1 seed has happened before so Calgary has a shot. Luongo, Luongo, Luongo. That’s our motto this playoff season. Goaltending always plays a huge part in the playoffs and this year will be no different.

Vancouver has the league’s finest penalty-killing unit and Luongo boasts the fourth-best save percentage in the league with .921.

Vancouver lost Bertuzzi but gained great goaltending and solid defense. We will ride Luongo all the way to the Stanley Cup, taking

Vancouver from the Western Conference.

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