Eastern Conference Predictions...

Given that I dont see as much Eastern Conference hockey (aside from the now irrelevant Toronto Maple Leafs) as Western Conference stuff, my picks for the NHL's "other half" are less based on fact and more based on gut feeling and stat-perusing.

With that in mind, enjoy!

Ottawa (1) vs Tampa Bay (8)

It's going to be a rough go for the defending champs, methinks. While it looks like they won't have to be facing Hasek in the first round, the Lightning will have their hands full worrying about their own suspect goaltending. In the absence of the 'Bulin Wall, neither Grahame nor Burke managed a save percentage above .900. With that in net and against a high powered Senators offense, I can't see T-Bay lasting long - even if players like Kubina and St. Louis suddenly re-discover their 03/04 form.

Prediction: Ottawa in 5.

Carolina vs Montreal

It's hard for me to decide one way or the other when it comes to this series. I didn't get to see the Hurricanes play AT ALL this year, so I can't really speak to their legitimacy as a top seed. In contrast, the Habs went through numerous see-saw phases all year. To date, they haven't even decided who their #1 goalie is.

On the one hand, Carolina has been relatively weak down the stretch, have an untested 'tender (in terms of the post-season) and a rather thin blueline. Late season acquisitions Recchi and Weight have failed to fill the gap left by the injured Eric Cole as well.

On the other hand, the Canadiens have two relatively untested goalies and some underperforming forwards (Koivu, Ribeiro, Ryder), but a stronger blueline with Rivet, Souray and Markov. If Staal rediscovers his scoring touch from the first half, then expect a Carolina win. If not, Huet will have to outperform Gerber. Also...

...ahh forget it. Toss a coin.

Prediction: Montreal in 7

New Jersey vs New York

Talk about a last minute reversal. For most of the season, it was the Rangers with the upper hand, standings wise. However, thanks to some stumbling down the stretch plus the Devil's 11 game winning streak to end the season, the Big Apple Jagrs are suddenly the underdogs.

While New York enjoyed a revival of sorts over the course of the regular season, I can't see them moving past the Brodeur backed Devils in the first round. The Rangers are populated by a lot of softies (Nylander, Straka, Ozolinsh) who will most likely disappear if the going gets rough. And, as good as Lundqvist was in his rookie year, I still bet on Brodeur out-duelling him this post-season. Add in the fact that Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Patrick Elias are red-hot right now and it looks like the it's gonna be hell for the blueshirts...

Prediction: New Jersey in 6

Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Another head-scratcher. Is Buffalo for real this year? Will Forsberg stay healthy? Can Robert Esche actually stop a puck?

I'm gonna say "yes", "no", "no".

The quick and shifty Buffalo forwards match-up well with the lumbering behemoths on the Philadelphia blueline. And, while Miller may be a rookie, Im still willing to bet he's a superior netminder to Esche. Gagne or no Gagne, Philly's injury woes and lack of consistent goaltending will get the best of them.

Prediction: Buffalo in 6

As mentioned in the intro, Im not as informed or confident about these picks as I'd like to be - so any wagers placed according to the above predictions are by no means my responsibility.

Unless, of course, you win. Then I expect a cut.