2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The puck will drop on the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs this week. If you're a hockey fan, it doesn't get better than this. Once again, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorites to hoist the cup. The Pens have battled injuries of late, but certainly have the most talented roster on paper. Pittsburgh and and the President's Trophy-winning Chicago Blackhawks have been the two best teams all season. I picked these two to square off in the Stanley Cup Finals before the season began. I am sticking with that, despite the knowledge that the best team in the NHL rarely walks away the champion. There are a number of teams that have the potential to knock off the Penguins or Blackhawks, I just don't see it happening until they face one another. Here is a look at how I expect the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs to play out.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

      
1 Pittsburgh (-450) vs. 8 NY Islanders (+350)

The Islanders exceeded everyone's expectations this season and slipped into the playoffs. Their reward? Playing the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh is the favorite to win the Stanley Cup according to the experts in Las Vegas. The Islanders haven't won a playoff series in 20 years. The Pens will extend that drought and show why they are the favorites by breezing through this series.

Prediction - Pittsburgh over NY Islanders 4-1

      
4 Boston (-240) vs. 5 Toronto (+190)

How great is this? Two of the most storied franchises in the NHL playing against each other in the playoffs. Boston seized control of the Northeast division toward the end of the year, but a couple late losses cost them the division crown and backed them up to a 4-seed. Toronto hasn't made the playoffs in nearly a decade and want to extend their visit. This series is going to be a lot of fun, and will have an old school feel to it.

Prediction - Boston over Toronto 4-2

      
3 Washington (-110) vs. 6 NY Rangers (-110)

The Washington Capitals played miserable hockey at the beginning of the season. They picked it up in time to win the atrocious Southeast division and get into the playoffs. They will meet the New York Rangers who played underwhelming hockey throughout much of the year, but turned it on late as well. The winner of this series could be very dangerous in the East.

Prediction - NY Rangers over Washington 4-2

      
2 Montreal (-155) vs. 7 Ottawa (+135)

It is always exciting when two Canadian cities square off against one another. The Senators may not be the premier team north of the border, but they still represent Canada well. They are poised to pull off an upset. The Canadiens surpassed expectations this year and want to make a deep run in the postseason. Montreal has had the better season, but something tells me Ottawa will have the longer season.

Prediction - Ottawa over Montreal 4-3

Western Conference Quarterfinals

      
1 Chicago (-425) vs. 8 Minnesota (+325)

The Chicago Blackhawks had a historic start to the season. And though they cooled off a bit, they still finished with the best record in the NHL and won the President's Trophy. I picked them to win the Stanley Cup before the season began, and they haven't disappointed me yet. Minnesota is looking to win their first playoff series in a decade. They made the major offseason signing of Zach Parise and it paid off. But will it deliver a playoff series victory? I doubt it.

Prediction - Chicago over Minnesota 4-1

      
4 St. Louis (-110) vs. 5 Los Angeles (-110)

This is the most evenly matched series of the opening round in my opinion. The Blues are playing their best hockey of the year. The Kings are the defending Stanley Cup champions. LA knows how to win in the playoffs, and they will put an end to Saint Louis's recent hot streak.

Prediction - Los Angeles over St. Louis 4-2

      
3 Vancouver (-120) vs. 6 San Jose (+105)

The Vancouver Canucks are at it again. They won their 5th consecutive Northwest division title this year. In all of those seasons, they have yet to walk away winners of the Stanley Cup. They will be on a mission to make a deep run this year. San Jose wasn't supposed to be very good this season, but here they are in the playoffs for the 9th consecutive year. These two franchises have been as consistent as they come. Unfortunately one of them has to go home early.

Prediction - Vancouver over San Jose 4-3

      
2 Anaheim (-140) vs. 7 Detroit (+120)

Anaheim was probably the most surprising team in hockey this season. The Ducks came out of nowhere to claim the Pacific division title and the 2-seed in the West. The up and coming Ducks will face off with the old and crafty Red Wings. Detroit scratched and clawed to get into the playoffs for an amazing 22nd straight season. Now that they are in, they can make some noise.

Prediction - Detroit over Anaheim 4-3

Here are my picks for the remainder of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Eastern Conference Semifinals
1 Pittsburgh over 7 Ottawa 4-1
6 NY Rangers over 4 Boston 4-3

Western Conference Semifinals
1 Chicago over 7 Detroit 4-1
3 Vancouver over 5 Los Angeles 4-3

Eastern Conference Finals
1 Pittsburgh over 6 NY Rangers 4-2

Western Conference Finals
1 Chicago over 3 Vancouver 4-3

Stanley Cup Finals
1 Chicago over 1 Pittsburgh 4-3