NHL Playoffs Set to Begin

Hockey and the NBA have one thing in common: they play really long seasons and reward too many teams with playoff berths.  But as opposed to the NBA, which hasn't been a true team sport in over a decade, playoff hockey is as exciting as ever. 

Other than between the pipes, it's nearly impossible for one player to carry a team on his back in the NHL playoffs.  You get non-stop action (as opposed to constant fouls and clock stoppages), so the game is always flowing.  Tempers flare, and inevitably we are treated to at least one 3-overtime-or-more gem a year.  You don't need to know the players' names to enjoy the game of hockey.

Hoping my Wings can make it back-to-back Stanley Cups. Other interesting quests include San Jose trying to get out of a second round despite having (yet again) a top team, the Blackhawks' return to the playoffs, and Columbus getting playoff fever finally.  Boston is back as a powerhouse, and Calgary-Chicago could an an all-out bloodbath.

The games begin Wednesday with four Game 1's.  These made-for-TV schedules kind of suck in that they can make for competitive advantages when you get into the second round.  But anyways... some pointless predictions for Round 1:

- Boston over Montreal in 6

- NY Rangers over Washington in 7

- Carolina over New Jersey in 6

- Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in 7

- San Jose over Anaheim in 5

- Detroit over Columbus in 6

- St. Louis over Vancouver in 7

- Chicago over Calgary in 6

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Chase Parker believes in the East Coast bias, stretching triples into doubles, and considers Tommy Boy to be the greatest athlete of our generation.

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

Comments

[Joe]

GO BLACKHAWKS!!!! Hey - just getting back into the playoffs is, in and of itself, a MAJOR FEAT for my Hawks!!!

[corrective_unconscious]

The captain of the Black Hawks used to be really cute, but I'm not sure he is anymore. I was a fan and played starting in grade school and through to the New York Gay Games, but lost interest in the pro sport when they over expanded the league and over extended the season.

[Vector]

Ah the NHL playoffs, sadly hockey will be no different than last year's stanley cup finals. I was rooting for the Black Hawks, but Detroit came up big. My bet is on the Red Wings.

[Laun]

Red Wings will win.