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New Jersey Devils(1) vs. Boston Bruins(8) – Boston
boasts a very gritty team which will no doubt put up quite a fight in this
first round. However, the sheer
firepower of the New Jersey Devils should get them through this series with
ease...especially since J-S. Giguere is still somewhat inexperienced. My prediction: New Jersey in 5 games
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Ottawa Senators(2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs(7) –
Toronto has a very young, inexperienced back end (goaltending and defence) and,
despite their offensive firepower, will likely fall to the more experienced
previous Mule Cup Champions. Super
Mario, Joe Sakic, and Rob Blake tend to be nearly impossible to stop when the
post-season rolls around. My
prediction: Ottawa in 6 games
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Philadelphia Flyers (3) vs. Montreal Canadiens (6) –
Philedelphia boasts the most powerful offense in the MuleFHL as well as a
defence built for playoff hockey. What
Montreal has is depth and the energy of youth, but still with great veteran
presence, as well as one of the league’s best goaltenders in Jose
Theodore. This will be a tremendous
series, and I predict: Philadelphia in 7 games
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Florida Panthers(4) vs. Washington Capitals(5) – The
difference in this series is going to be Roberto Luongo. Washington will likely outplay the Panthers,
as their team is much more playoff-built, with the grit and hard-hitting
defencemen. However, if young Roberto
is on his game, he’ll steal this series for the Panthers as he’s done all
season long. My prediction: Washington
in 7 games and 8 OT periods
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Colorado Avalanche(1) vs. Vancouver Canucks(8) – The
Vancouver Canucks have really come a long way over the last half of this season
and will be a much more difficult opponent than the Avalanche will expect. However, the Avalanche often rise to the
occasion during pressure situations, especially with the legend, Patrick Roy,
between the pipes. My prediction: Colorado
in 6 games
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Detroit Red Wings(2) vs. San Jose Sharks(7) – This
will be a pure battle between superstar power (San Jose with Roenick, Nolan,
Ozolinsh, Alfredsson) and Depth with goaltending (Detroit...CUJO). However, I feel that the playoff grit factor
is well in Detroit’s favour, so my prediction is: Detroit in 6 games
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Edmonton Oilers(3)
vs. Columbus Blue Jackets(6) – On paper, give this series to the
Edmonton Oilers, as they have an unbelieveable amount of offensive firepower as
well as one of the best goaltending tandems in the game. However, don’t count the Blue Jackets out because
they’ve done nothing but surprise since they entered this league. My prediction: Edmonton in 6 games
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St. Louis Blues(4) vs. Dallas Stars(5) – St.
Louis has exceptional depth and has a very very tough team, and Fred Brathwaite
has once again proven the critics wrong, putting together a tremendous season
(including the league’s 2nd best save%.) Dallas, on the other hand, has experience and leadership, which
is invaluable at this time of year.
This series will without a doubt be the most intense one of the first
round, with the Blues barely coming out alive after a hard-fought 7
games.