Without having read many of the other posts herein, I'll make my remarks...please forgive any redundancies or now irrelevant commentary
.
Wings vs. Canucks:
For obvious reasons (check my profile) I'm picking the Wings to pull this one out (in six) despite their lack of physicality and speed when compared to the Canucks. Cloutier is not a good goalie, period. He's played well enough for Vancouver to win two games, but in Game One alone, the Wings hit the posts and crossbar a combined five times. Any of those shots go in, and this series would all but be over. That said, Hasek isn't playing well either -- some savior
!
Blues vs. Blackhawks:
The Blackhawks won with smoke and mirrors most of the season, while St. Louis managed to pile up almost 100 points despite numerous injuries and marginal play. Johnson has looked
very good in the nets, and the Hawks have forgotten how to score with the man advantage. By all rights this series should be over in five games, but I say it will take the Blues an extra road game to close out Chicago.
Avalanche vs. Kings:
Dammit! Dammit! Double Dammit!! The Kings could/should be even in this series, but Colorado's endless wealth of luck continues. The Kings will now lose in five, although they should have prevailed in six or seven. Potvin has played one good game in this series (last night) and lost because Roy played even better. Colorado has been anemic all year on offense, and yet they've found the net plenty against the gritty Kings. C'est la vie.
Coyotes vs. Sharks:
Hats off to the 'Yotes and #99 for their outstanding season. Bottom line, though, San Jose in five. Phoenix is totally overmatched and beyond Burke stealing a game, this series is history.
Canadiens vs. Bruins:
Is there anyone who isn't pulling for Koivu and the Habs? Theodore is by far the better goalie, and is reminding folks in Quebec of St. Patirck's great run to The Cup in his rookie season. The Bruins have more talent overall, but Montreal is the pick here in six games.
Hurricanes vs. Devils:
How did Carolina win two games?!? Irbe and Irbe, that's how. I'd say that's it though, as Brodeur and the Devils will advance to the next round before this weekend's finished. The talent level on these two teams isn't even comparable, and much like the Blues, it seems that the devils have found their stride.
Islanders vs. Leafs:
I see this series going seven games, with the Leafs winning a very exciting contest by a 4-3 or 3-2 margin in front of their home crowd. Osgood and the Isles are better than folks are giving them credit for. Meanwhile, Toronto has a habit of extending series that should already be decided by fluke and happenstance.
Flyers vs. Senators:
Who told Ottawa they were allowed to win playoff games
? Who told Radek Bonk he could score in the post season
? For long-suffering Sens fans, the answers are; who cares and it's about damn time!! Neither goalie is worthy of advancing, yet both have played well. The difference here is that Philly cannot score in regulation and Ottawa can. Senators in six.
After these series are over I'll chime back in, but for now I see the Wings (or Sharks) playing the Devils (or Habs) for Lord Stanley's Cup.
! No more digressions from the matters at hand 
