Round One recap coming soon!

Kyle Turris winning Game 4 for Ottawa, and tying the series

I'm obviously too lazy to update my blog after every important game in the playoffs, so I'll just make a big recap post as soon as the first round is over. Get ready for my predictions on the second round as well, since my bracket has a good chance of being completely valueless.

Nashville takes Game One 3-2

Rinne and Weber defending against Datsyuk.

It feels kind of weird to cheer for a certain team when you're predicting the opposing team will beat them. This is especially the case when everyone else you see/know is cheering for the same team. That's how today went at Central Michigan University. Everywhere you went, a Red Wings jersey, hoodie, or t-shirt was present, shining out among everybody walking on the sidewalk. I was one of those people, sporting Henrik Zetterberg's #40 all day. I wonder how many people had the same mindset I did, right now I'm not really upset since my bracket's starting out well.

The Predators proved why they have home ice advantage, winning game one over the Red Wings. Aside from some penalties that shouldn't have been called against Detroit in the first period, Nashville seemed to have the stronger game, even with much less shots in the second and third periods. The first period set the Wings back, and the crowd of "mustard-yellow" jerseys (as Mark Lee of CBC called it) were in it the entire game. Detroit's going to have to fight even harder to get past Rinne and possibly mess up my bracket. Hope Helm's alright, currently getting surgery after taking a skate to the elbow. (That'd be a player the Wings will miss)

It's also really odd to have CMU Cable, and get to choose which playoff game broadcast I prefer to watch. The Detroit-Nashville game tonight was on CBC, Fox Sports Detroit, and CNBC. I obviously chose CBC, no brainer there, as soon as Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond started telling stories rather than actually calling the game below them. (For someone whose dream job is hockey play-by-play, something that little can be pretty annoying)

And from what I've seen so far tonight with the first period of the Canucks vs. Kings, Vancouver has played great so far. I certainly wouldn't rule out an upset though, Los Angeles looks pretty focused...I'm still stunned that Pittsburgh would give up a 3-1 lead to Philadelphia, that'll also be a close series.

AND SO THE PLAYOFFS COMMENCE!!

My 2012 Stanley Cup Playoff bracket

Kessel scored a career high 37 goals this season, currently at 99 with the Maple Leafs and 165 overall.

So once again a season where my beloved Maple Leafs fail to make the playoffs, though Kessel did have an incredible season, 37 goals and 82 points overall.

Now let’s stop right there, enough of Toronto, and onto the playoffs!

Here you go, here’s my bracket. You can click on it to zoom in if necessary.

For all the Detroit fans reading, yes I did just pick Nashville to beat the Wings. As much as I will also cheer on Detroit, I’m getting a little apathetic towards Detroit’s playoff hopes these days, esp. after the last 2 playoffs. Therefore, I completely accept my fate of being roasted when Detroit miraculously defeats Nashville in the first round and supposedly ruins my bracket. I’m certainly not one to predict spoilers, I have the #1, #2, #4, and #6 seeds moving on in each of the first rounds. If you’re better than the other team, why would I not predict you to beat them?

The toughest series for me to decide on was definitely Pittsburgh over Philly. If the Pens win that series, I think they can very likely march straight to the Stanley Cup Finals. (After somehow beating Boston of course) I picked them obviously because of Crosby’s return; and now that it’s once again the Crosby-Malkin duo – who they didn’t have either of in the 2011 postseason – I think Pittsburgh can potentially beat the Flyers. If not Pittsburgh, I can see Boston reaching the Finals again, and defending their cup.

Now for the Stanley Cup choice. Vancouver certainly have the experience of last year; a war against Chicago for the 3^rd straight year in a row, and then a drive to the Finals. The Canucks know what went wrong last year, and I feel like this year they’ve been serious, concentrated, and it got them another President’s Trophy. (They haven’t even had much of goal celebrations!) Hopefully, it can translate into a Stanley Cup for the first time in their history. Obviously Daniel Sedin sitting out a while with a concussion isn't helpful, but if they get him back – which I assume they will – they should be the playoff powerhouse.

Truly the most exciting moment of the 2011 playoffs, Alex Burrows wins Game 7 in OT against the Blackhawks...

So there you go. Here’s my top 3 selections for the Champion:

1. Vancouver

2. Pittsburgh

3. Boston

It’ll be very interesting to see how the Blues do with home-ice advantage in the playoffs, something that hasn’t occurred since 2002. They haven’t won the Central division since they had the best record in the league in 2000. Definitely a valiant effort by the Blues; and maybe a run to their first cup awaits if their stellar goaltending holds up. Plus, the Rangers haven’t been to the conference finals since 1997, can it happen again?

Make your own bracket before Wednesday night! See how yours holds up!