NHL - 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The puck drops on the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night. Playoff hockey is as intense as it comes. Despite being the 4-seed in the East, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the oddsmakers favorite at 4 to 1 odds. Pittsburgh will have plenty of obstacles though. The Penguins could conceivably have to get through Philadelphia, Boston, and the Rangers to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. That is a murderer's row. What about last year's champs? Boston is poised for another deep run. And so is last year's runners-up, Vancouver. There is no shortage of teams that have the potential to hoist the Cup. That is why this year's playoffs should provide great drama. Here is a look at how I see everything playing out.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals


1 NY Rangers (-240) vs. 8 Ottawa (+180)

Ottawa had a better season than what was expected, but so did the Rangers. The Rangers were the best team in the East through most of the season. They will show why in this series.

Prediction - NY Rangers over Ottawa 4-2


4 Pittsburgh (-190) vs. 5 Philadelphia (+150)

The experts in Vegas love the Pens. They made them the Cup favorites and heavy favorites over their bitter rivals in the Quarters. I agree with Vegas that the Pens will take care of the Flyers more easily than many believe.

Prediction - Pittsburgh over Philadelphia 4-1


3 Florida (+135) vs. 6 New Jersey (+170)

The New Jersey Devils come into the playoffs riding a 6-game winning streak. Despite being seeded lower than Florida, the Devils are actually favored. I think they will ride the momentum of their regular season finish and advance to the East Semis.

Prediction - New Jersey over Florida 4-1


2 Boston (-220) vs. 7 Washington (+175)

This could be a very intriguing matchup. Boston is the defending Stanley Cup champions and had a stellar regular season. Washington is a classic underachiever come playoff time, but this year they underachieved in the regular season. The Caps have the talent to win, but I like the Bruins to advance.

Prediction - Boston over Washington 4-3

Western Conference Quarterfinals


1 Vancouver (-170) vs. 8 Los Angeles (+135)

The Kings were my pick to win the Stanley Cup before the season began. They struggled throughout the year and got the 8-seed. Their reward is a date with the Presidents Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks. The Kings should cause some trouble, but the Canucks are poised for another deep playoff run.

Prediction - Vancouver over Los Angeles 4-3


4 Nashville (-120) vs. 5 Detroit (-110)

This is the most evenly matched series of the opening round. Detroit has faded down the stretch, while the Predators are playing their best hockey of the year. I see those roles reversing in the playoffs. Detroit is a veteran squad that knows how to win playoff games.

Prediction - Detroit over Nashville 4-2


3 Phoenix (-110) vs. 6 Chicago (-120)

Phoenix was supposed to fade away this year. Instead they went out and won the Pacific Division. They run into a talented Chicago team in the Quarterfinals though. The Coyotes will have to wait another year to win a playoff series.

Prediction - Chicago over Phoenix 4-1


2 St. Louis (-160) vs. 7 San Jose (+130)

I always drink the kool-aid of the Sharks. I am doing it again. The Blues came out of nowhere to contend for the Presidents Trophy this season. The Sharks meddled in mediocrity all season, but they certainly have what it takes to pull an upset here.

Prediction - San Jose over St. Louis 4-2

Here are my picks for the remainder of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Eastern Conference Semifinals

1 NY Rangers over 6 New Jersey 4-1
2 Boston over 4 Pittsburgh 4-3

Western Conference Semifinals

1 Vancouver over 7 San Jose 4-2
5 Detroit over 6 Chicago 4-1

Eastern Conference Finals

2 Boston over 1 NY Rangers 4-1

Western Conference Finals

1 Vancouver over 5 Detroit 4-3

Stanley Cup Finals

1 Vancouver over 2 Boston 4-2

That's right. I am picking a Stanley Cup rematch from last year. Only this time I have the Canucks hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup when it is all said and done. The Canucks have a tough opening opponent in the Kings. But Vancouver had the best regular season and the West is going to be easier to make it out of alive than the East this season. The team that won the Presidents Trophy has only won the Stanley Cup once in the last 8 seasons. The Canucks will make that twice in 9 seasons as they get revenge against Tim Thomas and the Bruins. Let's hope the victory celebration is more controlled than the demolition in defeat.