Steph Tsafaras:  I’m glad to have both Leafs and Penguins in the playoffs. My emotions will be all over the place but to see them both strive will be great.

DF: Who was your favorite player growing up? Who is your current?

ST:  I’ve always been a Mario Lemieux fan. My current favourite player is of course Sidney Crosby for obvious reasons but Nazem Kadri is also a favourite of mine.

DF: If they play each other, who do you root for?

ST: If Leafs and Penguins played each other, I would be a mess because it would be hard to choose one team since I’ve liked both for a long time. Either way the series goes, I’ll be happy with the outcome.

DF: The Pens have had a great season. What are your keys to a deep run?

ST: Defense have to be on their game this year. Help [Marc-Andre] Fleury out as much as they can. The biggest key to the Penguins making the finals is to stay healthy.

DF: How do you see the Leafs matching up with the Bruins?

ST: The Leafs have struggled against the Bruins tremendous amount of times. I can see the Leafs winning the series as long as the defense is strong in front of [James] Reimer and they have more shots on net. Also, Bruins have more on the line than the Leafs do. Leafs do not have as much pressure on them as the Bruins so they can win the series. It’ll be hard but Leafs can do it.

DF: What’s the buzz been like in Toronto finally back in the postseason?

ST: In all honestly, I feel Leafs fans are more concerned with Leafs facing the Bruins than being happy that Leafs have made playoffs for the first time since losing to Flyers in 2004.

DF: What’s your prediction for Pens/Islanders and who wins Bruins/Leafs?

ST: I can see the Penguins winning in six games and the Leafs winning in seven games.

DF: Pick one player you think flies under the radar for both your teams.

ST: Once Sidney Crosby returns, I can see Jarome Iginla adding a lot to the offense for the Penguins. As for the Leafs, I can see [Nikolai] Kulemin stepping up for the Maple Leafs.

DF: Who else do you like in the first round?

ST:  For the rest of the first rounds, I like Ducks in 6, Blackhawks in 5, Blues in 7, Canucks in 7, Rangers in 6, Sens in 7.

DF: Should Sidney Crosby win the Hart? If not who would you give it to?

ST: Sidney Crosby always makes a big difference when he is on the ice. He makes everyone around him look great. He does deserve to win the Hart trophy but there are players around the NHL that are the reason teams had a big success this season like Sergei Bobrovsky. Blue Jackets almost made playoffs, he was one of their biggest assets to the team.

DF: Your East winner. Who do you like out West?

ST: West is a very hard conference to predict but I see Blackhawks-Anaheim or Canucks in the conference finals.

DF: Favorite Jersey

ST: Old school is the Penguins black and yellow jersey. The current favourite in all honestly is the Blackhawks Black, Red, Yellow jersey. I believe it’s their winter classic jersey.

DF: Playoff Superstitions

ST: Must wear a jersey during the game, cannot miss a game. If I watch the games at home I have to sit in the spot in my basement, I always sit and have my leafs blanket/pens snuggie with me.

DF: Toronto wins first Cup since 1967. What happens?

ST: I’d assume Toronto will shut down. Toronto is a hockey city. Seeing them with after 40+ years is huge. Hopefully it doesn’t get out of hand but I wouldn’t be surprised if it does.