Playoffs! Finally!

It's finally here, the time we've been waiting for since September, the Stanley Cup playoffs. And boy, what a playoff this will be.

The first round is full of really exiting match-ups, the Flyers-Caps series is certainly one of them. Philadelphia will have to find a way to contain the Ovechkin-Backstrom combo, however, the Flyers have no shortage of offensive power themselves.

Philadelphia 4 - Washington 3

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When the season started, I don't think the Boston Bruins were planning on making a serious push for the Cup, their plans lay a little further in the future, but now, here they are and it's anyone's game. Against conference winners Montreal, the Bruins can play without pressure, but ultimately, the Habs will be too much for them. But this will be a fun series to watch since these two Original Six teams have faced off against each other once or twice before in the playoffs.

Montreal 4 - Boston 2

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The Rangers have the Devils' numbers, they won 7 of eight games this season against their Hudson rival. None of that matters now and I wouldn't be surprised if this series goes to seven games. The Brodeur-Lundqvist match-up could be future classic. However, this is where the neighbor across the river shows they're the better playoff team.

New Jersey 4 - NY Rangers 1

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I think the Ottawa Senators are actually enjoying being the underdog all of a sudden. The Penguins are stronger and have more scoring depth than last year, but if Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher are healthy, this series isn't as easy to predict as most seem to think. Can Malkin produce along side Crosby?

Pittsburgh 4 - Ottawa 2

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That was the East. I'll do the West tomorrow.

By the way, I am as happy as everyone else about Washington making the playoffs, because it would really suck to see the big dance start without the leagues best player, Alex Ovechkin. And since they did, thanks to an impressive end of the season-winning streak, there is no way they can give the Hart Trophy to anyone else than the Caps' super-Russian.