My Picks for the 1st round.

TB and NYI
I'll take NYI in 5. I really like how Dudley has built the Bolts. Even with
the Isles inconstancies all season I don't think TB has the playoff experience
it needs to get past the NYI and the Isles have had their number all season but
look out for TB in the future.

Boston and Mtl
Mtl in 6. This could be the tightest all around comp in the east. Going to
fun to watch and rejuvenate their rivalry who have met 30 times in the
playoffs. Boston has the better skaters but I'll take Jose over Roycroft and
Felix.

Philly and NJ
NJ in 6. Really don't want either of these teams to get past the 1st round but
I'll take NJ for a few reasons. BC's and KH's mouths to finally be put to rest
this season, Martin Brodeur and the Devs defending cup champs.

Tor and Sens
Sens in 7 with everyone getting injured during the series.

Det and Preds.
Preds in 7. Wanna see the elite teams out in the first round. I cannot stand
having the announcers cream all over them. Let them all be gone in the 1st
round hopefully Preds youth and enthusiasm can pull this off! :)

SJ and STL
SJ in 5....As much as I wanted to see StL PO's streak broke and that didn't
happen it could be more embarrassing for them making the PO's for the last
25(?) years and never winning nothing. Which is more embarrassing for them?

Flames and Nucks
Van in 5. Nucks are not over the Bertuzzi incident but have more playoff
experience. Calgary kind of faded down the stretch run. Again hate to see two
Canadian Teams matched up.

Col and Dallas.
Dallas in 6. Get Col. out too for the same reason as the Wings. Less bias
calls in the PO's the better for hockey, least for us real fans.

> TB and NYI
> I'll take NYI in 5. .

Tampa has benefitted by playing in the worst division in hockey (if there
ever is contraction, start with the SE). But they have a lot of talent
(Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards), leadership from Andreychuk and good
goaltending from Khabibulin. The Isles have a talented but inconsistent
offense and goaltending. I'm picking Tampa in 6

> Boston and Mtl
> Mtl in 6.

This one will be fun (in fact, all the Eastern Conference series could be
great). Montreal is my underdog team in the East. Theodore can be
dominating. Habs in 6


> Philly and NJ
> NJ in 6.

Brodeur. Experience. 'Nuff said. Devils in 6

> Tor and Sens
> Sens in 7 with everyone getting injured during the series.

Whoever has fewer bloodied players left will win out. Leafs in 7

> Det and Preds.
> Preds in 7.

As much as I would love to see the Dead Things fall, I don't think it will
happen. Detroit is loaded and Tomas Vokoun is no Jiggy. Wings in 5

> SJ and STL
> SJ in 5

Probably the most boring of all the playoff series. St. Louis got on a
little roll to make the playoffs but the Guppies are a well-balanced club.
San Jose in 5

> Flames and Nucks
> Van in 5.

Calgary is a tough club to play. Very physical but the offense is a
one-trick pony named Jarome Iginla. Goaltending will carry them. Vancouver
has found their heart after the Bertuzzi debacle. Goaltending is still
suspect. Which Cloutier will show up? This one will be tight. Flames in 7

> Col and Dallas.
> Dallas in 6.

Agreed and not just because they're my team. The Avs are hurting and
Aebischer is untested in the playoffs but they're still loaded with
offensive talent and they will test Turco often. Dallas is getting
contributions from up and down the lineup, even with Modano having the worst
season of his career (-21!). As long as Turco keeps his emotions in check,
the Stars should advance.