It's on like Michelle Kwan!!

Well, I'm hoping for some really good hockey this year, as once again, my team is not participating. But I recall some great games last year, particularly Dallas and Detroit, so hopefully we'll see some more this year.

I'm particularly excited about Chicago - my second team.

Anyway, I've entered my pics in the supercool Google chart that I assume Dean made, but I'll chat about them here for a bit;

I'm calling no upsets in the West - there are some hot teams and goaltenders in the bottom four seeds, but Luongo will probably carry the Canucks, as much as I can't stand that team. I think 6 games, maybe 7 if Luongo falters.

The Flames - though supposedly now heathy - are going to get clobbered. A promising season cut short by injuries. And what was the deal with only icing 9 forwards in the last two regular season games? They were over the cap supposedly - poor management. Probably 5 games max.

The Sharks are just too much, maybe 6 games

Detroit has been very poor lately, and the Jackets have the super rookie Mason - this series is as close to an upset as I see in the West. But you have a team that doesn't know what the playoffs are against a team with at least 27 total Stanley Cup rings. Do the math, and it's Wings in 7.

In the East I have Pittsburgh and Carolina with upsets.

Sorry, but I don't see the 77% all-time winning percentage in playoff series against Boston continuing for the Habs. That magic, and history, probably counts for a couple games, so I think Boston will need 7, but they're too strong. I hope I'm wrong though!

Carolina is super hot - once they got Cole back from the Oilers - and New Jersey, once Brodeur became the all-time guy, got cold. I'll take 'Which team is on a roll for 7 games? Alex...'

I like Pittsburgh just because I don't like Philly for some reason. In 6 or maybe 7.

And the Rangers, again an early exit - Washington is too much this year. In 6 or maybe 5 games.

So, Go Hawks, and I've got my fingers crossed for you St Louis!