The long, drawn-out marathon that is the NHL regular season finally has concluded, with the puck set to drop on the Stanley Cup playoffs on Wednesday.
And you can bet the NHL is looking forward to this postseason like no other in recent years. The reason? Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.
The dynamic duo are in the playoffs together for the first time, with Crosby's Penguins one of the favorites in the East and Ovechkin's Caps one of the hottest teams in the league at the end of the year.
In the West, Detroit reigned as usual, while the Ducks hope for another late-season surge to retain the Cup. Colorado could be a darkhorse with Peter Forsberg back in the mix.
Here's a look at each series (check with WagerWeb.com for updated odds):Eastern Conference No. 1 Montreal vs. No. 8 Boston Rundown:
On paper, this should be a sweep. Montreal is 8-0 vs. the Bruins this season and has won 11 straight against its Original Six foe. Montreal ranked second in goals per game, while the Bruins were a distant 24th, and the Bruins' leading scorer, Marc Savard, is not likely to be 100 percent due to a lingering back injury.
The pick: Habs in 5.
No. 2 Pittsburgh vs. No. 7 Ottawa Rundown:
A rematch of last season's opening round playoff series, won 4-1 by the Sens. But neither team is the same in 2008. Pittsburgh, which went 3-1 vs. Ottawa this year, has added Marian Hossa, for starters. With he, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, this team has more offense than any in the league. Ottawa has been sliding since starting the season 15-2-0 and won't have injured captain Daniel Alfredsson.
The pick: Penguins in 5.
No. 3 Washington vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Rundown:
Alexander Ovechkin, who will win the NHL MVP this season, led the Caps to 11 of 12 wins down the stretch as the team reached the postseason for the first time since 2003. After losing 10 straight in February, the Flyers righted themselves with a 7-1-1 record down the stretch. Still, ever since it got Cristobal Huet, Washington has been one of the best teams in the league. The season series between the teams was tied at 2.
The pick: Caps in 6.No. 4 New Jersey vs. No. 5 N.Y. Rangers Rundown:
Another series that would appear to be a mismatch, with the Rangers winning seven of eight in the regular season. The Devils still have one of the best goalies alive in Martin Brodeur, but they were shut out a franchise-record 11 times this season. The Rangers' 25 home wins were second in the league.
The pick: Devils in 7.
Western Conference No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 8 Nashville Rundown:
This series was tight in the regular season, with each winning three games in regulation (Detroit won two in shootouts as well). And the Wings had a rough stretch February, going 1-8-2. But now they are healthy and have only lost once in regulation in their last nine.
The pick: Wings in 5.
No. 2 San Jose vs. No. 7 Calgary:
Rundown: San Jose was the hottest team in the NHL before finishing the regular season with back-to-back
losses. But the Sharks also didn't have much to play for in those games. San Jose led the West in home wins, but Calgary was No. 2. However, San Jose, which lost the season series 3-1, had two lengthy road
winning streaks this season.
The pick: Sharks in 6.
No. 3 Minnesota vs. No. 6 Colorado:
Rundown: The Wild lost just twice in regulation in their final 14 games. And they won the season series, 5-3. But the Avs are getting healthy at the right time. Led by captain Joe Sakic, who returned after missing 38 games with a hernia, the Avs went 5-0-1 in their last six.
The pick: Avalanche in 7.
No. 4 Anaheim vs. No. 5 Dallas:
Rundown: The Ducks are 20-5-1 since Teemu Selanne returned to the lineup. Only Detroit recorded more home wins than the Ducks' 27. The Stars finished the season 4-8-2 and won the season series 5-3. Still, the Ducks have the best defensive tandem in the league, and Chris Pronger should be fresh after missing eight late-season games due to a suspension.
The pick: Ducks in 6.
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