East

New Jersey vs Ottawa - Jersey in 6
New York vs Buffalo - Buffalo in 5

West

Detroit vs San Jose - San Jose in 6
Anahiem vs Vancouver - Kills me to say it Anahiem in 7

A California vs. California Western Conference showdown would be something else. That said, I'd prefer San Jose/Vancouver.

I'll be honest - I'm scared senseless of Detroit. It's Hockeytown. They were tops in the West in the regular season Winning in the playoffs is what they *do*. Eep.

Ottawa in 7, Buffalo in 6...I'm completely torn in the West.

If you had to force it out of me:
San Jose in 7, Vancouver in 6.
But that's just guesswork and my undying hope San Jose can beat Detroit.

Sabers in 6

Ottawa in 6

Anaheim in 6

San Jose in seven

I am hoping I am wrong in my Anaheim Prediction but the series with Dallas took a lot out of Vancouver. Ottawa looks like they have gotton over their playoff demons. The only way they lose is if Brodeur steals the show which is very possible. I hope Buffalo takes it all b/c I am going to Buffalo later next month and I always enjoy the atmosphere in Buffalo whenever the Sabers are in the playoffs. Last year when they were in the semi finals against the Carolina Hurricanes the people were going crazy.

I predict Sens vs. Canucks for the Stanley Cup finals. http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/290/hockeyno7.gif

I predict Sens vs. Canucks for the Stanley Cup finals. http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/290/hockeyno7.gif

I would be in my glory if that actually happened but I think it is wishful Canadian thinking. It would be nice to have an all Canadian final hasn't been one since Calgary beat Montreal in 89

Eastern Conference

Ottawa vs New Jersey --- Devils in 6

Buffalo vs Rangers --- Sabres in 5

Western Conference

Vancouver vs Anaheim --- Ducks in 7

Detroit vs San Jose --- Red Wings in 6


First round record: 7/8! :)


For me, this round is tougher to predict than the previous one because now that all the so-called pretenders have been eliminated (except for Ottawa :o ) the teams are now more evenly matched and any series can turn on a mistake or a bad bounce. The best example would be the just-completed Vancouver/Dallas series, which featured a goaltending battle for the ages between Luongo and Turco. It's too bad one of them had to lose. For the record, I think Dallas would have taken Anaheim if they had advanced. Right now, I would say Buffalo is the team to beat.

My first round picks were horrible. The Rangers really surprised me in the first round. Buffalo is so deep with 4 solid lines, I'm not sure they can beat them. Sabres in 6

Vancouver looked really tired tonight. I hope they can turn it around, but it is a tough match-up for them. All those OT games I fear have taken their toll on them. Canucks in 7

Detroit doesn't match up well with San Jose, so I think the Sharks will advance. Too much size and speed for the Sharks. Sharks in 7

Ottawa/New Jersey is a toss-up. I'll pick the Senators in a mild upset. Senators in 6

East

New Jersey
New York

West

Detroit
Anahiem