Who Plays Who?

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers

Here's what I look forward to or wonder about with these East match-ups:

• Two Original Six franchises go to war: B's and Habs. If you type in 'bruins canadiens' into youtube, you'll see the words "fight" and "brawl" appear as the 2nd and 3rd options. Just sayin'.
• Alexander Ovechkin comes to the biggest city in the world and on the biggest stage at Madison Square Garden.
  
• Can Marty Brodeur cool off one of the league's hottest teams? 
• The battle of Pennsylvania featuring 4 of the NHL's best centers in Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues

#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames

Here's what I look forward to or wonder about with these West match-ups:

• A Sharks-Ducks match-up is what Barry Melrose has been clamoring for since early March. If it's as physical as he expects, this will be the series to watch.
• Can the Blue Jackets hang with the defending champs in their first-ever playoff series?
• I was more excited about a Canucks-Blues series when players like Pavel Bure, Cliff Ronning, Al MacInnis and Brett Hull were involved, but this one should be interesting as the Blues have come out of nowhere to claim this #6 spot.
• Won't it be cool to see Chicago Stadium, er the United Center, rocking again for playoff hockey?

Playoff predictions and much more coming tomorrow and Wednesday.