NHL First Round Predictions

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators
Detroit has several players on their roster (Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Rafalski) who should be better than any Nashville player in this round. Lidstrom is likely the second best player in the league this year and will get Hart Trophy votes. Detroit should win.

San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames
Calary has the three same players carrying it - Iginla, Kiprusoff and Phaneuf. But that's pretty much the NHL these days under the salary cap. Joe Thornton, Brian Campbell and Evgeni Nabokov are approximately equal to the big three in Calgary but the supporting cast is better. I'm taking San Jose.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
Colorado really improved down the stretch adding Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote and having Paul Stastny, Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth return from injury. Forsberg hasn't played much but has looked good. Avs should win.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
Anahein is just too strong for the Stars. This one might not be very pretty considering how much Dallas has struggled lately.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins
A classic original 6 match up. Montreal has a very good balanced attack and Carey Price. That should be enough to win in the first round.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa fell apart in the stretch and lost Daniel Alfredsson to injury. Pittsburgh may still have questions in goal, but they made a big trade adding Hossa to go with Malkin and Crosby (who may not be 100% healthy). Pittsburgh looks like the team to beat here.

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Washington has been the best team in the east for the last couple months of the season and needed that run to barely make the playoffs. The Flyers actually finished with a better record but they struggled at the end of the season. Ovechin was the best player in the regular season but has never played in the playoffs. Still I like Washington in this one but I expect it to be close.

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
The Devils have a better team on paper and the better goalie. Still I'm thinking that if an upset is going to happen in the first round, this might be it. So I'm picking New York.