Jesus, Jocks, and the Jukebox

After years of overpaying for free agents and trading for washed up superstars, the New York Rangers have finally put together a Stanley Cup contender. With the second best record in the league, the Rangers have been the most consistent team in the league this year, with the main reason being the play of ensuing Vezina candidate Henrik Lundqvist. The Sens on the other hand, have exceeded all expectations by even making the playoffs. And like they have all season, they will be relying on Jason Spezza to build off a stellar regular season to an equally solid playoff campaign. As great of a story the Sens have been, they are no match for Lundqvist and the strikingly deep Rangers.

Prediction: Rangers in 5

(2) Boston Bruins vs (7) Washington Capitals

Last year, the Boston Bruins out-muscled and out-matched their opponents to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. The Bruins were fast and tough, and they have essentially the same team as they did last season. The Capitals have kept a fairly similar line-up as well, but have vastly underachieved this year. The most notable of this underachievement is that of forward Alexander Ovechkin, who has looked like a shell of his old self despite scoring 38 goals this season. But he has been great lately, and if he can regain his former flare then this is going to be a great series. And I think he will. But unfortunately for the Caps, the Bruins are so deep. With Tyler Seguin emerging as an all-star this season, this Bruins team is a better team than last year. It won’t be a cakewalk, but I expect the Bruins to move on.

Prediction: Bruins in 7

(3) Florida Panthers vs (6) New Jersey Devils

In what looks like it will be the least exciting series of the playoffs, the superstar-less Southeast Division champion Florida Panthers take on the notoriously boring New Jersey Devils. Winnipeg Jets fans have seen a lot of the Panthers this year, and despite having any notable superstars, they’ve put together a respectable season. Lead by the ageless wonder Patrik Elias and a great second half from Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils have more firepower than the Panthers, and it will show in this series.

Prediction: Devils in 6

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) Philadelphia Flyers

You don’t like hockey if you’re not excited for this series. The Flyers look a lot different this season with the additions of Ilya Bryzgalov, Wayne Simmonds, and the legendary Jaromir Jagr to name a few, but they also gave up their captain in Mike Richards, and one of their leading scorers in Jeff Carter. That being said, they’ve looked great this season, and would arguably have one of the best records in the league if it weren’t for the injuries they’ve had to endure to key players. It should also be noted that Flyers forward Claude Giroux has turned into one of the top players in the league with 93 points this season despite suffering a mid-season concussion. The Penguins on the other hand, have arguably the best two players in the league in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and when the two of them are healthy this is an extremely dangerous team. As much as I like these new look Flyers, the Penguins are so deep, and with Crosby playing the way he is right now, I don’t see how any team can knock them off. This is going to be fun. Oh yeah, and they did this last week…

Prediction: Penguins in 7

I assume some of you disagree with these picks, and that's fine. Let me know in the comments what you think. And stay tuned for when I post my Western Conference picks tomorrow.