The NHL playoffs are finally here. Here are my 2007 NHL Playoff predictions:

Western Conference

• Detroit (1) vs. Calgary (8). Detroit will win in 5 games. Calgary has a lot of heart but Detroit has so much damn skill it's scary. How can you lose with Zetterberg and Datsyuk? Plus their 75-year-old goaltender (Hasek) is still awesome.
• Anaheim (2) vs. Minnesota (7). The Wild will win in 7 games. I'm picking the Wild only because I'm a fanboy, and these teams split their regular season series 50/50.
• Vancouver (3) vs. Dallas (6). Dallas finished the season with more points than Vancouver even though Vancouver is seeded higher. Both teams have great goaltending. Vancouver will win in 7 games.
• Nashville (4) vs. San Jose (5). I really liked Nashville until they traded for academy award-winning Peter Forsberg. It's time for both of these teams wo win the Cup. They've both been building and building for years and have great teams. I know the Wild can beat the Sharks, so I'll say Nashville in 6 games.

In the semis, we'll see Detroit beat the Wild in 5 games, and Nashville will beat Vancouver in 5 games. Nashville will go to the finals.

Eastern Conference

• Buffalo (1) vs. NY Islanders (8). The Islanders just squeezed into the playoffs on the last day of the season. Buffalo is a juggernaut. Buffalo will sweep in 4 games.
• New Jersey (2) vs. Tampa Bay (7). New Jersey still has a super-human goaltender and Tampa has a tiny point total. Tampa also has the highest goals-against total of all playoff teams. New Jersey in 5 games.
• Atlanta (3) vs. NY Rangers (6). I'll give the edge to the Rangers because Atlanta will rely more on skill than heart and tough play. Rangers in 6 games.
• Ottawa (4) vs. Pittsburgh (5). Pittsburgh has the 2nd-highest total of goals against of all playoff teams. Like Atlanta, their skill only take them so far. Ottawa in 6 games.

In the semis, Buffalo will beat the Rangers in 5 games, and New Jersey will beat Ottawa in 7. Buffalo will beat New Jersey to go to the finals because they have grit and an insane ability to score goals - as long as they can solve Martin Brodeur. Buffalo wins in 7 games.

In the finals we'll see Buffalo and Nashville. Buffalo will win in 5 games.

tags: nhl playoff predictions hockey