The 2009-2010 NHL regular season is already done and over with. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was watching the first games of the year.  Time has really flown. What’s now become a yearly tradition here at blog.dreamrealm, here are my predictions for the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup finals. Hopefully I’ll have a better record than last year! With that being said, go Sens go!

Eastern Conference quarterfinals

Series A: Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens

Washington is the favourite to make it to the finals. Montreal finished the year playing some pretty poor hockey. The offense, defence and goaltending is not strong enough to pull off a win against the dominating Caps.

Prediction: Washington in 4

Series B: New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers

With the addition of Kovalchuk, the Devils now have the offensive punch to score goals and still have one of the best defense in the league. With the Flyers’ lack of goaltending they stand little chance of coming out of this round alive.

Prediction: New Jersey in 5

Series C: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins

This is a tough one to call. Buffalo finished the year on top of the division, pulling together some pretty strong wins. Boston may or may not do well, depending completely on how Tim Thomas performs. This may well come down to goaltending and if so Miller has the upper hand.

Prediction: Buffalo in 6

Series D: Pittsburgh Penguins vs the Ottawa Senators

As a huge Sens fan, this is the series I’m looking forward to the most. For the 3rd time in 4 years these 2 teams will match up in the first round of the playoffs. Both have offensive firepower from most of their lines, and both have good goaltending. I think they key difference is going to be with the defensive corps where I believe Ottawa is slightly superior. The Sens come in as the underdogs; they weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs according to journalists at the start of the season. The Pens will try to repeat their Stanley Cup win. No matter who wins this series we’re going to see some really exciting hockey.

Prediction: Ottawa in 7

Western conference quarterfinals

Series E: San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche

Another tough one to call. San Jose hasn’t had much luck in the postseason. Avalanche accumulated many losses after the Olympic break

Prediction: Colorado in 6

Series F: Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators

I personally think this one’s a no-brainer. I don’t think the Preds have any chance of winning against Chicago.

Prediction: Chicago in 5

Series G: Vancouver Canucks vs LA Kings

Can Luongo take the ‘Nucks to the 2nd round? Do the Sedin twins have it in them to win? Does Quick have what it takes to stop them? This is another tough one to call. All I can do is go with my gut for this one.

Prediction: Vancouver in 7

Series H: Phoenix Coyotes vs Detroit Red Wings

Phoenix has surprised everyone this year. With the turmoil of the team’s ownership hanging over the players all year, they managed to have an amazing season. I think the Coyotes will continue to surprise people and make it past the first round of the playoffs. Detroit won’t go down easily though, having the best winning record after the Olympic break, but I don’t believe that they’ll make another trip to the finals.

Prediction: Phoenix in 7