There are a handful of questions that will be answered when the 2010 NHL Playoffs begin on Wednesday.
Will the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings find a way to emerge from the middle of the pack and reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the third consecutive year?
Can the Washington Capitols ride their offensive juggernaut throughout the playoffs? Will the Phoenix Coyotes be able to maintain their regular season magic?
Which goalie will become the dominate force during the playoffs and help carry his team deep into the NHL playoffs?
These questions and more will be answered in the 2010 NHL playoffs. Here is a quick look at each match-up and which team will advance to the next round.
Eastern Conference
# 1 Washington Capitals vs. # 8 Montreal Canadians
The Capitals have a potent offensive attack that is led by the best player in the league, Alex Ovechkin, and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals are on a mission and have no plans in letting the Canadians get in their way.
Montreal can make this a competitive series if their power play unit finds continual success against the average penalty killing unit of the Capitals.
Prediction: Capitals win the series in 5
# 2 New Jersey Devils vs. # 7 Philadelphia Flyers
The Devils success in the first round depends on how well Martin Brodeur is able to perform between the pipes. If he can maintain his Hall of Fame form, this series will be over before it starts.
The Flyers come in ready to play and will be a handful for the Devils. Though the Flyers can be exposed at goal, they will have enough to overcome this deficit.
Prediction: Flyers win the series in 6
# 3 Buffalo Sabres vs. # 6 Boston Bruins
Injuries could not have come at a worse time for the Sabres, who will be relying upon goalie Ryan Miller to continue his incredible season.
The Bruins dominated the Sabres during the regular season and will be looking to continue this trend. Boston is solid and showed they have what it takes to earn an upset in the first round.
Prediction: Bruins win the series in 7
# 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. # 5 Ottawa Senators
The Penguins will need to find that magical button and press it if they want to come away with a first round win. Sidney Crosby needs to continue to perform in the playoffs if he wants to be one of the greats.
The Senators have their hands full with a dangerous Pens team. The key to their survival will be if they can shut out Evgeni Malkin. If they find a way to neutralize him, they could be upset Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Penguins win the series in 6
Western Conference
# 1 San Jose Sharks vs. # 8 Colorado Avalanche
Can the Sharks avoid another early round exit from the NHL playoffs? If they do, it will be because of their goalie Evgeni Nabokov who has been on fire down the stretch with a .921 save percentage to go with his 7-1-1 record.
Although the Avalanche are lucky to be in the playoffs, they know this is the start of a new season. The lack of experience will be a problem for Colorado and could be their downfall in this first round series.
Prediction: Sharks win the series in 5
# 2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. # 7 Nashville Predators
During the regular season, the Blackhawks showed they can score by having six players with 20 goals or more. Marian Hossa is going to need to make his presence known in the playoffs if the Blackhawks are going to succeed.
Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne came on strong as the season progressed and is one of the main reasons for their success. If he can out play Blackhawks’ goalie Antti Niemi, this could be an upset in the making.
Prediction: Blackhawks win the series in 5
# 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. # 6 Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks are able to score and have experience on their side against an inexperience Kings team. Center Henrik Sedin has stepped up his game and will need to continue to be a presence on the ice if they want to advance to the second round.
The Kings are going to rely upon their superior defensive ability to slow down the offense of the Canucks as they try to steal the series. If they are able to get some early goals on goalie Roberto Luongo, they may have a chance to win the series.
Prediction: Canucks win the series in 7
# 4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. # 5 Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings sputtered along during the season but once the injured players returned after the Winter Olympic Break, they were one of the best in the NHL. Pavel Datsyuk will need to find a way to score in the playoffs if the Red Wings want to advance.
The upstart Coyotes will have their hands full against an experienced Red Wings team. While goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will be tending his first playoff series, he has what it takes to be the ‘hot goalie’ and carry a team to the Stanley Cup.
Prediction: Red Wings win the series in 6
