My Favorite Time Of Year

It is spring...My Birthday, the weather gets better...and the playoffs are on! Not only good hockey, but great hockey, every night. The playoffs are my absolute, favorite time of year. It is the time of year that I think about hockey, and nothing but hockey. It consumes my waking moments for two months, and it is the perfect showcase of athletic competition. Further, there is the Stanley Cup itself. No sports trophy is as instantly recognizable. I have said for years, that, IF you put the Stanley Cup, Vince Lombardi trophy, Larry O' Brien trophy, and the Commissioner's trophy on display in a shopping mall in a non-hockeyown like Birmingham, Alabama, the Stanley Cup will stil be the most recognized trophy of all of them.

What follows are my first-round playoff predictions. Now, understand that the first-round has often proved to be kryptonite to my bracketology, as I seem to improve as the playoffs go on...

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Rangers-Washington-The Rangers won their way in on the last weekend of the season, while the Caps dominated. The fact is...the Caps are simply the better team, and will win in six games.

Buffalo-Philadelphia-I smell an upset coming here. I believe it has everything to do with Ryan Miller, who backstops the Sabres to a seven-game victory.

Montreal-Boston-This is the most contested playoff matchup in history, with over 200 playoff games played. Despite the 7-0 shellacking the Habs took a couple of weeks ago from the Bees, They have matched up well during the season with Boston, and IF Carey Price plays like he did in the regular season, and not the last two playoffs, he could have the Habs primed for s seven-game upset.

Tampa Bay-Pittsburgh-Steve Yzerman's Lightning are the most improved team in the playoffs this year. They are also the weakest defensively(more goals allowed than scored), while the Pens have been winning close games during the abscence of Sidney Crosby. The Pens are better defensively, and will win in seven.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Vancouver-Chicago-The Canucks dominated the league this year, winning the President's Trophy, while becoming the first team since the 1978 Montreal Canadiens to be first in goals scored, and the least goals allowed, while the defending champion Hawks are simply not the same team that won the cup last year. The Hawks may have been the Canucks bugaboo in the past, but no more. Canucks in six.

San Jose-Los Angeles-The Sharks and Kings are meeting in the playoffs for the first time ever. The Sharks are better. 'Nuff said. Sharks in five.

Detroit-Phoenix-The Wings and 'Yotes met last year, and the Wings won in seven. IF Henrik Zetterberg can return for Game Two, the Wings should win in seven again, as he, Jimmy Howard, and Mike Modano could be X-Factors.

Nashville-Anaheim-The Ducks have been the hottest team in the league, with Hart Trophy candidate Corey Perry leading the way. It will be another short spring for the Predators. Ducks in Six.