NHL - Playoffs Preview

The 2013-14 NHL regular season is in the books and now it's time for playoff action.
The Chicago Blackhawks will be looking to defend their Stanley Cup title as they face the struggling St. Louis Blues in the opening round in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins (2010-11 champions) will be looking to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals after losing in six games to Chicago last year.
The sport of hockey is very unpredictable, especially when the playoffs come around and this year could be more of the same. There is good balance in each conference with six out of the eight playoff teams in the West getting 100 or more points this season. In the East, four of the teams totaled 100 points or more. Boston and Anaheim are the top seeds in their respective conferences this year.
Having a hot goaltender always works wonders for a team in the post-season as well and the Bruins have the great Tuukka Rask in the nets while Chicago boasts Corey Crawford, who led the way for the Blackhawks last year. Not to be over looked is Ryan Miller with the St. Louis Blues and Gold Medal goaltender (from Canada) Carey Price with the Montreal Canadiens, who along with the Detroit Redwings, took three of four games against the Bruins this season.
Look for some surprises along the way over the next two months as the teams battle it out and settle things in early June with the Stanley Cup Finals.

Here is a capsule style breakdown of the first round playoff matchups with predictions following, including the Stanley Cup finalists and eventual champions.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche - The Avalanche should bury the Wild. (Colorado in five games)
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues - This series could go the distance and provide some great excitement along the way with two of the best goalies in the NHL taking part in the action. (Chicago in six games)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars - This could be a surprise in the making if the Ducks take the Stars too lightly. Beware!  (Anaheim in six games)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings - The Kings could very well crown the Sharks in this opening round series. (Los Angeles in seven games)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit Redwings vs. Boston Bruins - The Bruins have shown to be the best team in the NHL during the regular season ... now they must prove it in the post-season. (Boston in six games)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - The Canadiens have been one of the hotter teams in the NHL down the stretch. (Montreal in six games)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - This could be over in a real hurry. (Penguins in five games)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers - Two fierce rivals go at each other in what could be the best opening round series of the playoffs. (Philadelphia in seven games)

The rest of the way . . .

WEST                                                                                  EAST
Chicago over Colorado in seven games                               Montreal over Boston in six games
Los Angeles over Anaheim in seven games                         Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in six games

WEST FINALS - Chicago over Los Angeles in five games

EAST FINALS - Pittsburgh over Montreal in six games




 



                                                   






      STANLEY CUP FINALS

                                                                           

                                      Pittsburgh Penguins over Chicago Blackhawks in seven games