The 2015 NHL playoffs are just a couple days away, which means it's time for my annual playoff predictions.
Last year I went 12-3 in predicting playoff series, but this year's playoff bracket is as wide open as ever so it may be tough to duplicate that record.
Nevertheless, I already posted my Western Conference playoff predictions for the 1st round, so now I'll do the same for the East.
Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Prediction: Senators in 6
I know I'm going to hear it for this one, but I'm pretty confident in this pick.
The Habs had a great regular season and Carey Price is my MVP, but even with Max Pacioretty in the lineup (he's expected to play Game 1) I'm not crazy about Montreal's forward core.
No playoff team scored less than Montreal in the regular season, and I don't see them filling the net against a red hot Andrew Hammond, though I think he'll regress a little at some point.
The Senators are the hotter team entering the playoffs, they're the better offensive team, and they're the better possession team.
Led by P.K. Subban Montreal has the better defense core, but Erik Karlsson can routinely play 25-30 minutes, which should help Ottawa hide from their defensive depth a little bit.
When all is said and done I think Ottawa wins this series.
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction: Rangers in 7
I think this series is going to be a lot closer than many expect.
The Rangers have more depth, the better goaltender and better defense - in large part due to injuries to Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, Christian Ehrhoff, etc. - so I think they'll get by, but the Penguins have the two best players in the series in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Those two have been among the best point producers on a per game basis over the last few decades, and both have the potential to single-handedly win games.
Again, I like the Rangers in this series but I don't think it's going to be a breeze like many expect.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction: Lightning in 6
The Lightning led the league in goals, have the 2nd best goal-differential in hockey (+51) and have no glaring weakness.
Their defense is better than given credit for, and with Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, and Nikita Kucherov, among others, they can throw wave after wave of high-end offensive guys at you, which makes them extremely tough to defend.
I like this Red Wings team, and think Mike Babcock is the best coach in hockey, so I don't think it'll be a cake walk for Tampa Bay, but I think they'll win and don't see it going the distance.
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Prediction: Caps in 7
The Islanders can score with the best of them and have an unbelievable amount of team speed, but the Caps are no slouch when it comes to scoring goals, either.
The Capitals are also the better defensive team, and I think they have the edge in goal with Braden Holtby.
I think this will be a highly entertaining back and forth series - sort of like what we saw from New York and Pittsburgh a couple years back - but I like Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals to get it done at home.
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