Post Your 1st Rd Series Upset

TB
NYR

 Other two series are huge mismatches? HMMMM Really? Is that a mismatch when NYR outscored Wash 18-6 in 4 games this season? Not sure if your math is correct but that is a 3-1 margin on the scoring list. Rangers have won in Wash 3/4 times played there in last 2 years. Something you definately have to take into acct. As well the fact that Rangers are out for revenge and the fact that Wash does not bode well in the playoffs. 6 of wash last 9 games gone to ot or shootout. They are not taking care of business before it's crunch time. I will take the NYR for a first round upset for sure.

 As well I do like Buffalo to take philly down and for Montreal over the bruins.

My 3 picks are

MTL
BUFF
NYR

Tampa

I know it's death to pick chalk in the NHL playoffs, but the other three series in the East should all end 4-1. In the West, the Hawks aren't good enough.  The Kings are toast.  Detroit getting HZ back should be enough.  Assuming there HAVE to be some upsets, I would agree that Buffalo is tempting.

West:

VAN/CHI - Nucks are on a mission. Will be a long series but Vancouver's special teams and home ice will be the difference. I've watched almost every Canucks game this season. This is a different team than past years. They have been consistent since November and play as a unit. The loss of Malhotra is huge and Torres will be missed for Games 1 and 2. The only way the Hawks win is if Luongo collapses and I don't see that happening again based on his play this season.

SJ/LA - Think the Sharks roll here. Kings aren't healthy, while the Sharks are amazingly healthy right now. LA will try to play shutdown defense but won't be able hold off role guys like Pavelski and Clowe (who will be back for Game 1)

DET/PHX - This one really comes down to Jimmy Howard. I don't know how they do it but the Yotes can score by committee. Bryz has the ability to steal a game, but then again so does Howard. This series goes 7 games and I think Detroit gets it done again, this time on home ice.

ANA/NSH - At first I really liked the Ducks but am starting to lean Preds. I really thought Nashville would be able to lock up the 4 seed and home ice which would have been huge. The physicality of guys like Weber and Ward will be key. Rinne will have to have an unbelievable series. Everyone's been talking about Perry, Gelzlaf and Selanne but the Preds Erat, Hornqvist, Kostytsin have been piling up the points too.

East:

WSH/NYR - At the price (+200) I think the Rangers offer the best value for an upset. The Rangers have one of the best (if not the best?) road records in the league. They had 2 blowout wins (7-0, 6-0) over the Caps including one in Washington. NYR has the clear advantage in goal. Having Drury back is also huge and more than makes up for the loss of Callahan. The Caps have had problems scoring all season. They've been inconsistent and I think they'll overemphasize trying to play their new system in the playoffs which may be their downfall. I'm not saying the Rangers win but I'd take a chance at +200.

PHI/BUF - There's been a lot of Sabre love but I wouldn't touch them until I'm convinved that Miller is 100% healthy. There is a huge mismatch in talent on both offense and defense favouring the Flyers. Sure Bobrovsky is a question mark but does no one remember Leighton or Niemi last year? Bob has two pretty good mentors in Boucher and Leighton to help him or step in if necessary. Flyers will step up their game and win easily.

BOS/MTL - This one could be a classic. Will no doubt be a dual between Price and Thomas. Both teams are inconsistent on offense but Boston holds the edge in physicality. At +180 I see value with Montreal. Price has the ability to steal this series and when I think it could go either way take the + money. Wouldn't be surprised if crazy Habs fans managed to buy up a ton of Bruins playoff tickets to minimize the home ice crowd in Boston.

PIT/TB - Even without Crosby or Malkin I still like the Pens here. It takes well balanced, consistent teams to win in the playoffs. And you know the Pens know how to win in the playoffs. Pitt's team defense will be able to neutralize, or at least minimize the damage done by Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavelier. TB has questions on defense and in goal. Staal and Fleury will have a big series.

 Excluding Tampa over Penguins since there are to many variables involved.

the Bugs my #1 "upset" pick and I'm a Penguins fan and it seems the public agrees. the series line has gone down "like a turkey turd from a tall pine tree"

my other is the Coyotes over the Red Wings. riding "The Bryz" 

outside chance of the Rags beating the Caps on the back of Lundqvist and Washington's annual, traditional playoff choke job BUT the line not that great vs the risk

1- Lightning

2- Coyotes

3- Predators

T.bay

Preds.

THERE WILL BE NO UPSETS...1 - 4 WILL BEAT 5-8 IN BOTH CONFERENCES.....

Montreal

Tampa

Buffalo

Anaheim

What makes everyone think the Coyotes are so good? They win the opener, but lose the series to the Wings.

No chance for the Kings, One(series) and done for them.

Flyers barely made it last year and went to the cup, Pronger makes them tougher. Don't count them out.

Canucks 4-2 over the Stars..oops Hawks..haha, stupid ass Stars

TB over Pens is only an upset per the odds.

Caps 4-2 over the Canes..oops Rangers..haha..even more stupid ass Canes

Upsets: TB and maybe the Habs, but that's why they play the games