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!