Predicting the First Round of the 2013 NHL Playoffs

Predictions for Each First Round Playoff Series

With the 2013 NHL Playoffs getting underway, 16 teams are facing off, each with hopes to kiss the Stanley Cup when it is all said and done. There are eight match ups between the top teams of the NHL and all of them are ready to destroy their opponents to get a chance to hoist the cup. But who will come out victorious during this first round? Who will outshine the other? These are the questions we are all asking right now, and predicting the answers is part of the playoff fun.

The first round of the playoffs pits the top seeds of each conference against the lowest seeds. This may not give the lower seeds much of a chance to make it through to the next round, but upsets are not unheard of. Will we have any this season? Looking at the playoff schedule, there are a couple that we could certainly see. Here are the match ups for both conferences

NHL Eastern Conference.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8. New York Islanders

2. Montreal Canadiens vs. 7. Ottawa Senators

3. Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

4. Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL Western Conference.

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 8. Minnesota Wild

2. Anaheim Ducks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings

3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. San Jose Sharks

4. St Louis Blues vs. 5. Los Angeles Kings

There is plenty of drama in this year’s playoffs, and coming off of a shortened season, anyone could go on a run. Of course, the Blackhawks and Penguins are the favorites, but they have to get past their first round opponents to have a chance.

As always, if you would like to give your predictions, or share your thoughts on any of these predictions, please leave a comment in the section provided below. You can also join the conversation on twitter using the hash tag #RML, for Rant My Life.

Jeff Everette is a NFL columnist for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @jeverettesports, “like” his page on Facebook, “Trust” him on Sulia, or join his community on Google+.

Eastern Conference 4 vs. 5

The Boston Bruins (4) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (5) are two of the original six NHL teams, and their history goes back as far as NHL history goes, so this is nothing new for either team. The Bruins have won the last three playoff series between the two, and even though the last series was just over 30 years ago, the Bruins keep it going by dominating the Maple Leafs in this series. Bruins win 4-1

Western Conference 4 vs. 5

Last season the St. Louis Blues (4) were among the teams the Los Angeles Kings (5) decimated on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. The Blues were swept in that series, and will not be letting it happen again. They won the first game of their 2013 NHL playoff series with a an overtime victory, and are hoping to finish the Kings off. Unfortunately, the Kings are not quite ready to give up their crown just yet. Kings win in seven.

Eastern Conference 3 vs. 6

Another rematch from last season’s playoffs, the Washington Capitals (3) and New York Rangers (6) played seven knockdown drag-out matches to finally decide a victor. The Rangers came out of that series as the victors, and they beat the Capitals two out of three games this season. Both teams went on impressive runs to put themselves in the position they are in, but the Capitals run may be a bit more impressive considering how far they were back just 21 games ago. From out of the playoffs, to the third seed in the East is impressive and Alex Ovechkin has been unreal. He drives Rangers goalie Henrick Lundquist crazy in this series, and the Capitals go on to the next round. Washington wins series 4-2.

Western Conference 3 vs. 6

The San Jose Sharks (6) fell short of earning home ice to start the playoffs, but they have the confidence of sweeping the season series against the Vancouver Canucks (3), including one on the road. The Canucks have an interesting situation in goal, where they have been splitting time between two goalies, while the Sharks are blessed with one of the best in the league. Antti Niemi has always been known as a tough goaltender, but this season he has possibly been playing the best of his career. Niemi is the difference in this series, and the Sharks pull off the upset, San Jose wins 4-2.

Eastern Conference 2 vs. 7

The Montreal Canadiens (2) and the Ottawa Senators (7) promise the fans a great series. The Senators could have easily been a higher seed, but injuries kept them from winning the number of the wins they eventually had. The Canadiens were actually boosted into the number two seed thanks to the Senators winning their final regular season game. The two teams split their season series two each, and they will not disappoint in the playoffs. Ottawa pushes the series to seven and then steals the final game in Montreal. Senators advance 4-3.

Western Conference 2 vs. 7

The Detroit Red Wings (7) are not used to being on the road to start the playoffs, but with 22 straight years in the playoffs, it is not like it is the first time. They match up well against the Anaheim Ducks, who won the first game of the series 3-1. As the old saying goes, the Ducks won the battle, but they will not win the war. Red Wings advance winning the series 4-3.

Eastern Conference 1 vs. 8

The top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins (1) went in to the trade deadline with a great team, they came out on the other side of it with an unbelievable team. They get the New York Islanders (8) in the first round, which means the Islanders playoff appearance will be short lived. Penguins show why they are the best and Pittsburgh sweeps the series 4-0.

Western Conference 1 vs. 8

The Chicago Blackhawks went on an unbelievable run to start the season, which was exactly what the NHL needed. After an ugly lockout, the Blackhawks run without a regulation time loss brought positive publicity to a sport that would have suffered without it. Their opponents, the Minnesota Wild (8), do not care about the Blackhawks regular season success. They pushed first game of the series into overtime before falling to Chicago, and they will not go out without a fight. Blackhawks win the series 4-1.