Eastern Conference
(1) New York Rangers vs. (8) Ottawa Senators
Panotch: Rangers could have a team that wins a Stanley Cup this season behind likely Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist. Not a lot of glitz, but it works under coach John Tortorella. Young Senators arent ready for prime time and literally scratched n clawed to get a playoff spot. Erik Karlsson a legit Norris Trophy candidate butPick: Rangers in 6.
Baicker: True, Henrik Lundqvist is the likely Vezina winnerbut he might as well be the league MVP, too. Teams with a lot more firepower than the young Senators couldnt solve him, and even teams with snipers struggled with New Yorks trap. The Rangers havent won a playoff series since 2008, but that should change this year. And it shouldnt be all that difficult. Pick: Rangers in 5.
(2) Boston vs. (7) Washington
Panotch: Yeah, the Caps won the season series, but they are another reeling club down the stretch. Boston wasnt looking like a defending Cup champion in the second half as all those games these past three years catch up to you. Caps cant come close to matching Bruins depth or goalie Tim Thomas. Pick: Bruins in 5.
Baicker: A few weeks ago, we werent expecting the Caps to make the postseason at all. Its been a very disappointing season for the Capitals, and theres no reason to believe that things will change for them against the defending Stanley Cup champions. No, the Boston Bruins havent turned in a particularly impressive performance in the latter half of this season, but as Tim says, they do have a lot of depthand Tim Thomas. Pick: Bruins in 5.
NHL
(3) Florida vs (6) New Jersey
Panotch: Biggest question in the Southeast Division was whether the Panthers would win the division or blow it. This is their first playoff exposure of the decade. Devils have the defense and not much offense to win the series, but they also have goalie Marty Brodeur and Zach Parise. Pick: Devils in 6.
Baicker: Im going to go out on a limb here and pick Florida. Theres gotta be an upset somewhere, right? The Panthers were considered the dream matchup for the teams battling for the sixth seed, and its easy to understand why. But that said, the matchup with New Jersey could be interesting, if the Panthers are able to kick up their offense and put pressure on Devils goalie Marty Brodeur, who has shown some signs of shakiness at times this year. Pick: Panthers in 7.
(4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Philadelphia
Panotch: Hardest series of any to call in the East. Flyers had Pittsburghs number this year but with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Penguins are healthier, but the Flyers seem to have gotten into the Pens heads and they might even intimidate their better players. Evgeni Malkin will take some bad penalties this series. Pick: Flyers in 6.
Baicker: Call it road-ice advantage if you wish, but the Flyers have found a lot of success against the Penguins in Pittsburgh this season. Im going to purposefully overlook last weekends Game 82 loss when I say this, but I think things will continue to go the Flyers way, no matter what the odds makers are saying. They might lose Game 1 and they might lose Game 3 (its in the afternoon), but I think the Flyers will eke this one out. The caveat: Whoever wins this series will go on to the next round with plenty of battle scars. Pick: Flyers in 7.
Western Conference
(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Los Angeles
Panotch: Even though they split the season series, the Kings were fortunate to make the playoffs at the end while Vancouver was a beast much of the season. Canucks are better prepared against the Kings, who have a hero in goal in Jonathan Quick. Status of Daniel Sedin (concussion) remains a question. Pick: Canucks in 6.
Baicker: Sorry, Mike and Jeff, but you guys wont be around long this postseason. The Canucks are simply the more mature, better equipped team in this matchup. Its been an up-and-down season for the Kings, who did have some success against the Canucks in the regular season, but itll be mostly downhill from here. Pick: Canucks in 5.
(2) St. Louis vs. (7) San Jose
Panotch: Nothing seemed to go right for the Sharks most of the season while the Blues flourished once Ken Hitchcock took over the team. Hitch should be the Coach of the Year. Goaltending wins in playoffs and Blues have it over struggling San Jose which has oodles of playoff experience. Blues swept season series, too. Smell upset? Pick: Blues in 7.
Baicker: With Ken Hitchcock at the wheel, the Blues were able to complete a total 180 this seasongoing from bottom of the standings to the No. 2 seed after Game 82. But you always have to be concerned for teams that havent seen the postseason in a while. It wont be easy, but St. Louis will move on to Round 2 (and the Wash. U grad in me is excited for the hockey fans in the Lou!). Pick: Blues in 6.
(3) Phoenix vs. (6) Chicago
Panotch: Maybe if the Isles played in the woefully weak Pacific Division they would have made the playoffs this year. How will Jonathan Toews play coming off a concussion? That could be the series right there. Hawks have better depth. Pick: Blackhawks in 6.
Baicker: As Panotch says, the Blackhawks definitely have the depth. But this one looks like itll really prove to be all about the goaltending. Or, well, whether the goaltending shows up. If the Coyotes can successfully pressure Hawks goalie Corey Crawford, who hasnt been particularly sharp in the latter half of the season, they could eke out a winso Im gonna go with it. Pick: Coyotes in 7.
(4) Nashville vs. (5) Detroit
Panotch: Like the Flyers-Pens, this is the hardest series in the West to call. Both teams split in the season, too. Preds have done a great job under GM David Poile. They need to go deep to re-sign Ryan Suter and keep Shea Weber happy. Detroit is, well, Detroit. They get it done. Still, goalie Pekka Rinne is gonna ruin it for Red Wings. Pick: Preds in 7.
Baicker: Detroit, who was truly stellar on home ice this season, sure could have used home-ice advantage in this one. Its definitely a tough series to call, but Im feeling the Preds here. The Red Wings are the Red Wings, as Tim says, but the Predators have a very tough defense and could trip up Detroits aging core. Pick: Predators in 6.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net or Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com.