Leafs4life

Alright folks here is my updated version of what I think will happen in the NHL standings, and playoffs..... Beware the East is really similar to what my predictions are right now.....

EAST

1. Ottawa- As much as I hate them, I think they'll hang on to first place.

2. Pittsburgh- If they are doing this well without Sid, just wait. But still need another Defensman to go with Whitney, and Gonchar.

3. Carolina- Expirience will edge out Washington.

4. Montreal- Edge out New Jersey for 4th.

5. New Jersey- If they can pick up another forward at the deadline, this team should be on the short list of Cup contenders.

6. Rangers- Should be better than they are right now.

7. Philly- If Forsberg, or Prospal, or both are aquired, this team COULD be trouble.

8. Buffalo- BEWARE OF THIS TEAM, IF I AM THE FIRST TO SAY THIS, LOOKOUT!

FIRST ROUND

Buffalo over Ottawa in 6- Yes you heard me correctly, I'm calling the upset.

Pittsburgh over Philly in 7 thrilling games.

Rangers over Carolina in 5-6

New Jersey over Montreal in 7

SECOND ROUND

Buffalo over Pittsburgh in 7- Cinderella continues the march

Rangers over Devils in 5- No help for Brodeur

EAST FINALS

Rangers over Buffalo in 7- Slipper doesn't fit for Buffalo as they lose their 3rd straight East finals.

WEST

1. Detrot- Built a huge lead, but like Ottawa VERY vulnerable.

2. San Jose- Nine points behind Dallas now, but 5 games in hand, and Ithink will edge them out.

3. Minnesota- Good team, tough to beat at home.

4. Anaheim- Everyone's chosen team.

5. Vancouver- One word- Luongo.

6. Dallas- Drops off a bit, but still a threat.

7. Calgary- Dfense, Defense!

8. Colorado- With the big guys back they'll sneak in.

FIRST ROUND

Detroit over Colorado in 7, the old time rivalry lives up to hype.

San Jose over Calgary in 6- Good test for Sharks.

Minnesota over Dallas in 7- Most boring series of all time.

Anaheim over Vancouver in 5- Walk in the park for Ducks.

SECOND ROUND

Anaheim over Detroit in 6- Similar to last year's conf. finals

San Jose over Minnesota in 5- Good fight from Wild, but no match for San Jose.

WEST FINALS

Anaheim over San Jose in 7- THRILLER!

STANLEY CUP FINALS

Anaheim Over Rangers in 5, Webbed-feet Repeat.

CONN SMYTHE: Ryan Getzlaf.

For my first blog ever on CBS Sports I'm going to stick with my roots and my number one passion. Hockey.

I'm not sure how many Americans will be drawn towards this first entry because of the lack of televised games on a Nationwide network like ESPN which leads to less highlight time on Sportscentre (yes in Canada we spell it "re"), and that leads to less interest. But to tell you the truth, I couldn't care less.

So without further ado- The NHL Playoffs, and a thought about the seeding.....

The NHL playoffs have been probably my favourite time of year since I was 5, and every year I enjoy the heartbreak, and trauma of being a Leaf fan, whether they're in or not. But there is one thing that needs fixing now more then ever. The seeding.

The seeding for the playoffs go like this: Each of the three division winners in each conference recieve a top three spot in their conference no matter how many points they earn in the regular season. The problem with this is, a team in a weak division (ahem...Southeast...ahem) can win that division with a .500 record and get a top 3 spot in the playoff seeding no matter what.

This year Carolina has 56 points right now, which is ninth in the east, but because they are leading their division they sit third ahead of teams with 63, 60, 59, 59, and 58 points.

Now don't get me wrong I understand that winning your division is an accomplishment, but to get a top three seed by beating sub .500 teams 8 times a year each is not worth getting a top three spot in either confeerence.

In the NBA division winners occupy three of the top four spots which isn't great either but it is atleast better than automatically getting a top three spot in the NHL.

Anyways thats just a thought from an Elf.

Now to my predictions. This is what I think will happen in the playoffs:

EAST

1. Ottawa

2. Philly

3. Carolina

4. Pittsburgh

5. Montreal

6. New Jersey

7. NY Rangers

8. Buffalo-Watch and See.

What will happen..... Ottawa will beat Buffalo in 7 games, Philly will beat the Rangers in 7 games, New Jersey will beat Carolina in 7 games, and Pittsburgh will beat Montreal in 7 games.

Round 2

Ottawa will beat New Jersey in 7 games

Philly will beat Pittsburgh in 7 games

EAST FINALS

Philly will beat Ottawa in 6 games

WEST

1. Detroit

2. San Jose

3. Minnesota

4. Anaheim

5. Dallas

6. Calgary

7. Colorado

8. Vancouver (will beat out St. Louis on last day)

What will happen..... Detroit will beat Vancouver in 6 games, San Jose will beat Colorado in 6 games, Calgary will beat Minnesota in 7 games, and Anaheim will beat Dallas in 6 games.

Round 2

Calgary will beat Detroit in 6 games

San Jose will beat Anaheim in 7 games

WEST FINALS

San Jose will beat Calgary in 6 games

NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS

THE SAN JOSE Sharks WILL BEAT THE PHILADELPHIA Flyers IN 5 GAMES

Conn Smythe: Nabokov

Thoughts?....