All four have a chance, but if I have to pick just one I'll take Minnesota. I think the Avalanche overachieved and are probably not as good as their standings ranking suggests. And Minnesota is actually the slightly better team at 5 on 5 (possession-wise and scoring-wise, although neither is actually that good at either).

Anaheim I think is overrated by the standings as well, but not by as much as Colorado.

If the playoffs started two weeks ago I might have picked the Blue Jackets, who are, I think, a lot better than they get credit for. But if the Pens are actually healthy (and it looks like they are) that's bad news for Columbus.

I'd love to be able to pick the Red Wings here, but man, Boston. Yuck.

I say Wings can beat Boston. Everyone thinks Boston is this unbeatable team. I dont agree.
- GOA88

Boston peaked in March. They still are the odds on favorite, but this first round matchup is going to be a real challenge for them. Babcock has enough respect around the league that when he will start chirping about Boston's between the whistle stuff, he'll get traction.

I agree 100 % ....Pitt is beat up....I was so nervous that even with the first pick in the Playoff pool I avoided Sid....I also think that Boston had better not take the wings lightly....
- landros 2

The Pens are healthier at this point than they have been at any point in the season since about November. They've pretty much been coasting since the Olympics. The key question is can they notch up the intensity necessary?

I think at least one 7/8 seed will pull off the upset as each top team has its flaws..
colorado/ Columbus - inexperience
ducks- goalie issues
penguins - fleury and depth scoring
Boston - not msbt but also depth scoring could be an issue and young Dcore

I think Columbus and Dallas both take round one with Bob standing on his head and the speed of Dallas giving the ducks slowish D problems.

Hawks in 5
Avs in 6
Boston in 5
sharks in 7
phily in 6
jackets in 7
Dallas in 6

playoff beard in progress lets go playoff hockey I'm pumped! Go hawks

I think at least one 7/8 seed will pull off the upset as each top team has its flaws..
colorado/ Columbus - inexperience
ducks- goalie issues
penguins - fleury and depth scoring
Boston - not msbt but also depth scoring could be an issue and young Dcore

I think Columbus and Dallas both take round one with Bob standing on his head and the speed of Dallas giving the ducks slowish D problems.

Hawks in 5
Avs in 6
Boston in 5
sharks in 7
phily in 6
jackets in 7
Dallas in 6

playoff beard in progress lets go playoff hockey I'm pumped! Go hawks
- EnzoD

missed one series

missed one series
- hamiltonhabfan

Didn't need to include the Habs as they will be gone soon enough.tampa in 4 or 5

Didn't need to include the Habs as they will be gone soon enough.tampa in 4 or 5
- tpd11

5 of the original 6 made this year’s playoffs.
Boston fans, what if it unfolded like this...
* Toronto is out of it. True.
* Detroit vs. Bruins.
* Bruins vs. Habs.
* Bruins vs. Rangers.
* For the Cup? Rematch Bruins vs. BlackHawks.
- coohill

Being a CBJ fan I would love to see us beat Pittsburgh. However, our most experienced forwards; Horton, Umberger, and Foligno are out with injuries. That is a ton of experienced offense sitting out, and only Foligno supposedly has a chance to play in the series.

Some people believed at the start of the season this team would have a chance to sneak into the playoffs, most everyone else left us for dead and even management expected that next season would be the season the Jackets would make noise in the playoffs. When Gaborik got hurt and ultimately didn't work out here it is a miracle the CBJ got in.

My heart believes they will in six, my head tells me this is a four game sweep by the now healthy Pens.

Being a CBJ fan I would love to see us beat Pittsburgh. However, our most experienced forwards; Horton, Dubinsky, Umberger, and Foligno are out with injuries. That is a ton of experienced offense sitting out, and only Foligno supposedly has a chance to play in the series.

Some people believed at the start of the season this team would have a chance to sneak into the playoffs, most everyone else left us for dead and even management expected that next season would be the season the Jackets would make noise in the playoffs. When Gaborik got hurt and ultimately didn't work out here it is a miracle the CBJ got in.

My heart believes they will in six, my head tells me this is a four game sweep by the now healthy Pens.
- jkumpire

Dubinsky is out ....since when

Soooooo

Habs VS Sharks in SCF??

missed one series
- hamiltonhabfan

oops

Soooooo

Habs VS Sharks in SCF??
- soad_live

bruins vs bruins and they will still whine about diving and dirty play

The fact is, as great as Boston is, they almost lost in the first round last season. And the only reason they won was because they were playing the Leafs, who are champions of sepukku (sp?).

The Wings have a chance. I wouldn't bet on them, but they could definitely take the series. When you get a team that's already been playing the playoffs for a few weeks, you never know what can happen.

I still think Boston in 6, but won't be surprised if the Wings find a way to win it in 7.

Dubinsky is out ....since when
- Alexzanki

Ah, for as long as I had my brain cramp.

Fixed. My apologies.

In your opinion... You forgot to add that.

The fact that Detroit made it into the playoffs while their 2 premiere players were hurt for a majority of the season speaks to the resilience and skill of the team.

Plus, it's Detroit, the best run franchise in recent NHL history, and I say that as a Flyers fan.

Perhaps your opinion is just colored by your hate for the Red Wings, or does that argument not go both ways?
- wolfhounds

I realize that I'm going to be screamed at but the Bruins are built more like the past Wings teams than almost any other good team in the NHL.

AND Zetterburg and Datsyuk are great all time players and they are game changers, but it almost seems that there is this idea that with those two healthy they are the best team in hockey......? Bergy and Krejic are pretty good players and have shown it over the last few years in the playoffs, but whatever.

To me looking at play, and health, and FACTS or numbers, the Bruins are the best team in hockey right now and should STATISTICALLY win this series.

I agree that anything can happen thou, but almost half the people polled picked a banged up young Detroit team to win because of a lot of IFs?

And if the B's do loss Julien needs to look in the mirror because of his inability to motivate this team himself. It seems to always need an outside SHOCK or come to Jesus moment, at this point there shouldn't be an excuse for them.

Dallas and Columbus can get through by how they have been playing lately.

Detroit can push Boston to game 6, but inexperienced and fragile guys will cost them.

Minnesota will win a couple.

I think at least one 7/8 seed will pull off the upset as each top team has its flaws..
colorado/ Columbus - inexperience
ducks- goalie issues
penguins - fleury and depth scoring
Boston - not msbt but also depth scoring could be an issue and young Dcore

I think Columbus and Dallas both take round one with Bob standing on his head and the speed of Dallas giving the ducks slowish D problems.

Hawks in 5
Avs in 6
Boston in 5
sharks in 7
phily in 6
jackets in 7
Dallas in 6

playoff beard in progress lets go playoff hockey I'm pumped! Go hawks
- EnzoD

The bruins were one of the best teams in fact, third, in the NHL, in scoring. So depth?

The young D men are the big big hole in my opinion. But I'm not going to be too nervous due to being second in the NHL in GA.

I'm a fan of Detroit. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are beasts. But the Bruins are a juggernaut and imo will steamroll a depleted wings team.
- Iggysbff

The Wings are missing Zetterberg and Ericsson at this point. Weiss- this season is a wash. Cleary- though he had a great playoff run last yr, isn't considered a huge loss at this moment. And hopefully there are no further injuries. The Wings injuries since the lockout ended has been brutal.

As a Wings fan, I'm really excited to see how the kids do. Some got NHL playoff experience last season- but those who didn't- well they won the Calder cup. So they know what it takes and how to win. The biggest question is will they make stupid rookie type mistakes/ allow nerves to take over at the NHL level- that's the only way I see them being "steamrolled". Babs will do all that he can to have em ready. Should be a great series.

The fact is, as great as Boston is, they almost lost in the first round last season. And the only reason they won was because they were playing the Leafs, who are champions of sepukku (sp?).

The Wings have a chance. I wouldn't bet on them, but they could definitely take the series. When you get a team that's already been playing the playoffs for a few weeks, you never know what can happen.

I still think Boston in 6, but won't be surprised if the Wings find a way to win it in 7.
- SolidGoldBricks

I actually agree with you. Someone on the team needs to be assassinated or have there puppy hit by a car before they decide to show up and play there style of hockey. And if it happens again this year, we need to look at the make up and coaches, no excuse to play so crappy out of the gate EVERY YEAR I THE PLAYOFFS.

Boston is a deep team offensive defensive and goaltending but the wings were given a small chance of even making it and they tore right into the playoffs.

Tore right into the last seed?

Would the Hawks over the Blues be considered an upset?
If so
Round 1

Bruins win in 6
Habs win in 6
Pitt wins in 5
Flyers win in 7

Hawks win in 6
Stars in 7
La in 7
Minnie in 6

Would the Hawks over the Blues be considered an upset?
If so
Round 1

Bruins win in 6
Habs win in 6
Pitt wins in 5
Flyers win in 7

Hawks win in 6
Stars in 7
La in 7
Minnie in 6
- PEIHawkFan

Eklund: Monday Poll> Which Wildcard Has the Best Shot At An Upset?
- Eklund

I think Detroit has the best chance. Because they're Detroit.

I think Detroit has the best chance. Because they're Detroit.
- GSDIV