I know somewhere Bobby Mac and Dregs are saying; what the heck does he know? But it's the ''second season'' in the NHL and its time to make some playoff picks. After all, post-season selections are as Canadian as maple syrup, poutine and Trish Stratus...
EAST
Washington vs Montreal
The Habs stumbled into the playoffs and face a team almost as powerful as the Justice League of America. Jaroslav Halak is better in goal than Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov but Alex Ovechkin and the gang prevail in the end.
Pick: Capitals in 6
New Jersey vs Philadelphia
The Flyers owned Martin Brodeur and the Devils this season, and I don't think he's quite the same goaltender as he once was. Brodeur is still great, but he's human now.
Pick: Flyers in 7
Buffalo vs Boston
The best goaltender in the East is Ryan Miller. Nuff said
Pick: Sabres in 5
Pittsburgh vs Ottawa
I love the sand paper element that Bryan Murray has put together in Ottawa. Jarkko Ruuttu, Chris Neil, Ryan Sutton, Matt Carkner, Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno, Anton Volchenkov, are all guys not afraid to bang around, and there's tons of playoff experience too. Having said that, Sidney Crosby has been unreal this season, and defending champs know what it takes as a team. Should be a great series.
Pick: Penguins in 7
WEST
San Jose vs Colorado
Time for the Sharks' Big-3 to put up or fold like a tent. Evgeni Nabokov, you need to finally do something in the spring too. The real test comes next round.
Pick: Sharks in 5
Chicago vs Nashville
The Blackhawks are awesome to watch. No better team to wheel with in EA Sports NHL 10. Fingers crossed between the pipes.
Pick: Hawks in 5
Vancouver vs Los Angeles
I picked Van-city to come out of the West last year before they stopped playing in their own end. Love the balance on this team with the wonder twins leading the way.
Pick: Canucks in 6
Phoenix vs Detroit
To me, the Coyotes are the feel good story in the NHL this season. Too bad they're running into the team nobody wanted to face.
Pick: Red Wings in 7
In the long run, I think Pittsburgh comes out of the East, and Vancouver survives the West.
Stanley Cup Pick: The Pittsburgh Penguins repeat