Ummm

I'm just a tad surprised by the Habs coming back from 3-1 to beat the Ovechkins.

So, how did Adrian & I do in the first round?

• Montreal-Washington - Adrian said Caps in 5; I said Caps in 6 - Advantage Dean
• NJ-Philly - Adrian said NJ in 4; I said the same - Advantage Flyers
• Buffalo-Boston - Adrian said Buffalo in 7; I said Boston in 7 - Advantage Dean
• Pittsburgh-Ottawa - Adrian said Crosby in 6; I said in 7 - Advantage Adrian

Adrian knows the West better than I do; let's see how he does!

• San Jose-Colorado - Adrian said SJ in 4; I said SJ in 5 - Advantage Dean
• Chicago-Nashville - Adrian said Chicago in 6; I said Nashville in 7 - Advantage Adrian
• Vancouver-LA - Adrian said Canucks in 5; I said in 4 - Advantage Adrian
• Phoenix-Detroit - We both said 7 games; I said Detroit, Adrian said Phoenix - Advantage Dean

Final tally - Dean is up 4 series to 3, with one tie.

My picks for round one

Firstly, I have to agree with Dean that the Flames were the biggest disappointment of the year. And I say this happily as an Oiler fan, because we all think were it not for the Flames, it would have been us with that crown.

They would have been pummeled by the Sharks anyway...

So, let's get to it shall we? East first;

Washington over Montreal in 5

I don't see the Habs doing much, sorry. They do have some offense, but it's not Ovechkin/Semin/Backstrom/Green offense. Yes the Caps' goaltending is suspect, but unless the Canadiens can put up 6 every night, they won't win. I don't see that happening.

New Jersey over Philadelphia in 4

I can't stand the Flyers. I hope they blow up in a really embarrassing way. I don't like the Devils either, but I have to pick someone...

Buffalo over Boston in 7

Dean called it; this'll be the series to watch in the first round. I like Buffalo. No reason. Better play-by-play guy on TV I suppose.

Pittsburgh over Ottawa in 6

Sadly, the Sens have become the late 90's Oilers; pretty good year, but derailed by the Stars in the playoffs each year. They did get by the Stars once though, so who knows...

And the West;

San Jose over Colorado in 4

This looks like a repeat of the Vancouver/St.Louis series of last year; a team achieving a little sooner than they should getting handled by a very good team that's been there before. Colorado, just hope that you don't go the way of St.Louis.

Chicago over Nashville in 6

I don't think either of these teams have top notch goaltending. So they cancel each other out, and the power of the Hawks' skaters moves them through to round 2

Vancouver over L.A. in 5

This looks like a repeat of the Vancouver/St.Louis series of last year; a team achieving a little sooner - hey wait, I already said that. As much as I can't stand the Canucks, they'll win this easily.

Detroit over Phoenix in 7

A team with monster playoff experience getting white-hot at the exact right time against a team that's never been here (Sorry, but I refuse to consider the Coyotes to be the same 'franchise' as the Jets. Nothing the Jets ever did has any effect on this team). The Coyotes will pick up a couple wins and expose Jimmy Howard as the ECHL back-up goaltender he truly is, and then Babcock will put Osgood in, and it's over.

My Playoff Predictions

Montreal-Washington: Washington in 6 - a tougher series for the Caps than most think
New Jersey-Philadelphia: New Jersey in 4 - Boucher will be blown out in the first game
Buffalo-Boston: Boston in 7 - I predict lots of overtime games in this series
Pittsburgh-Ottawa: Pittsburgh in 7 - Sens will push the Penguins all the way

and in the West:

San Jose-Colorado: San Jose in 5 - Colorado is happy to make the playoffs this year
Chicago-Nashville: Nashville in 7 - Chicago's goaltending will let them down
Vancouver-Los Angeles: Vancouver in 4 - a powerhouse against another team happy to make the playoffs
Phoenix-Detroit: Phoenix in 7 - Detroit looks scary on paper, but Phoenix has a great team