Fancy epic post to come later, if at all. I've done my fair share of them lately, so yeah, I just want to enjoy the games. Being around 90 minutes from Boston these days means I can actually head up and out to Boston for a few of the games, if I so please.
Boston over Detroit in 6. Boston really needs no descriptor, basically do everything right. In an otherwise meh conference, Boston should eventually get the Prince of Wales Trophy easily.
Tampa Bay over Montreal in 6. Neither is as good as they look, but Montreal is rather overrated in so many ways. Tampa isn't great either, middle of the pack team, among all 30, but you only have to be better than your opponent.
Pittsburgh over Columbus in 5. Unless Bob gets hot, meh. Snore-fest for the non-Pittsburgh fan.
New York over Philadelphia in 5. Rangers are very underrated. They win this, and assuming Pens beat the Jackets, I'm calling them to upset Crosby, right here, right now.
Dallas over Anaheim in 7--my research says this is likely a huge upset. Anaheim is much worse than paper says, seems like the easy betting money upset pick this year.
Los Angeles over San Jose in 7. My god, watch this series, it'll be amazing. Could go either way, and it's likely the best pure hockey matchup this round.
Colorado over Minnesota in 7. This wouldn't shock me if the Wild won either, but it will be close. Colorado is also overrated, with what Varlamov did stealing games. Avalanche are just enough better (see Tampa and Montreal), but if either survives the 2nd round, I'd be stunned.
Chicago over St. Louis in 6. Least interesting, but still really fun, of the West teams. Chicago is just that good.
