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| John Tavares and Henrik Lundqvist lead their teams into the first round. Getty Images |
The mad dash of a condensed 48-game schedule is over. Now, comes the hard part for the remaining 16 survivors. Just making the playoffs is an accomplishment in a four month sprint that’s had peaks and valleys. It’s not how you start but how you finish. The Caps, Rangers and Islanders are clear examples in the East while out West, the Red Wings are in the tournament for a 22nd consecutive season. The new look Wild survived with the help of a hideous call edging out a deserving Blue Jackets, who did everything possible to overcome a bad start. They’ll be worth watching next Fall.
Already, last year’s Cup runner-up has booked tee times with the NHL Draft Lottery tonight. Ironically, the Devils host the Draft at the Prudential Center in Newark. The defending champion Kings are a No.5 seed who might have to take a similar path. Road warriors. They start at St. Louis. Is Brian Elliott this year’s Jon Quick with David Backes playing the role of Dustin Brown? Other surprise entries include the rebirth of hockey in Canada with the Canadiens and Maple Leafs both chasing Lord Stanley. Montreal surprised many by capturing the Northeast and No.2 seed. Toronto is back in for the first time since ’04 when Mats Sundin still was prominent. They’ll meet the Bruins in a potential blood bath. The Habs have to contend with Canadian rival Ottawa. A pesky bunch who overachieved without Jason Spezza. Erik Karlsson is back and faces Norris hopeful P.K. Subban.
The Rangers were picked by many to finish first. Instead, teaming Rick Nash with Marian Gaborik failed, forcing Glen Sather to move Gaborik at the deadline to bolster the lack of depth. Derick Brassard and John Moore have transformed them into a deeper team. They’ll try to do it on the road against Alex Ovechkin and the Caps, who don’t play a dull style anymore. The Islanders are a great story with John Tavares carrying them along with indispensable Evgeni Nabokov. All they have to do is upset the star studded Pens, who loaded up at the deadline and could have Sidney Crosby back for Game One with Evgeni Malkin.
It was the Blackhawks who were the best team in the regular season featuring dynamic duo Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They start against Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise. The Canucks gradually improved to win another Northwest led by The Sedins and Cory Schneider, who has the most pressure. Ryan Kesler is back. They draw the Sharks, who could make things interesting. Antti Niemi had a good year and Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski are dynamic. Also back in are the Ducks, whose great start allowed them to capture the Pacific and No.2 seed. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan lead the charge. Is this Teemu Selanne’s final ride with Finn buddy Saku Koivu? Can Viktor Fasth match his big year or does Jonas Hiller relieve him? They start against the dangerous Red Wings, who feature Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Jimmy Howard has never been a great postseason netminder but enters hot. Potential upset?
Who’ll survive and advance in the First Round? The West starts up tomorrow while the East begins Wednesday.
EAST
Derek’s Picks:
(1) Pens over (8) Isles in 6
(2) Habs over (7) Sens in 7
(6) Rangers over (3) Caps in 6
(4) Bruins over (5) Leafs in 7
Hasan’s Picks:
(1) Pens over (8) Isles in 5
(7) Sens over (2) Habs in 6
(6) Rangers over (3) Caps in 6
(4) Bruins over (5) Leafs in 7
WEST
Derek’s Picks:
(1) Hawks over (8) Wild in 5
(7) Wings over (2) Ducks in 6
(3) Canucks over (6) Sharks in 7
(5) Kings over (4) Blues in 6
Hasan’s Picks:
(1) Hawks over (8) Wild in 5
(7) Wings over (2) Ducks in 6
(6) Sharks over (3) Canucks in 6
(5) Kings over (4) Blues in 7
hasan4978
Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
Holy crap I went 8-8 the last round? I should have bothered to pick more than the first round lol
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