The top sports handicapper in the world is Joe Duffy of GodsTips. Even he checks out the Bodog previews of the 2010 Lord Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Who has the easiest path in the 2010 NHL playoff bracket? Who has the hardest? In the East, Washington certainly takes advantage of its first-place finish—the Capitals get the Canadiens in the first round, who have backed into the playoffs with three straight losses.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, draws a tough Ottawa team that went 7-2-1 down the stretch. Worse yet, the Pens will eventually have to face Washington or New Jersey—if not both—and they managed a brutal 0-8-2 record against those teams.
Out West, the first-place Sharks are trying to avoid yet another playoff collapse; they get Colorado in the first round, with the Avs losing their last three outings. Despite finishing fourth and getting home-ice in the first round, Phoenix has the unenviable task of facing Detroit. The defending Western Conference champs are 16-3-2 since the Olympic break.
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The 2010 NHL playoff schedule is here! The action begins Wednesday, with four series getting underway. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins get things started in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators.
Another highlight that night should be Game 1 of the Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes series. The Coyotes have been an inspiring surprise this season, but Detroit has been the best team in the NHL since the Olympic break—and is the defending Western Conference champion.
If it's Alexander Ovechkin you're interested in, you can catch him Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET when the Caps take on the Montreal Canadiens. Also be sure to follow Boston at Buffalo that night; it could be a goaltending showdown between Ryan Miller and Tuukka Rask.
The 2010 NHL playoff schedule is packed throughout the weekend. There are five games slated to go Friday, three on Saturday, and another five on Sunday.
Carefully planning your NHL Playoff Picks & Predictions can mean nothing if you run into a hot goalie. Here are this year's five-star goaltenders, including some fresh faces.
Ryan Miller, Sabres. He couldn't get a gold medal at the Olympics—can he find redemption with a Stanley Cup? Miller has been brilliant (2.22 GAA).
Ilya Bryzgalov, Coyotes. Bryzgalov (2.29) is the biggest recent for Phoenix's surprising turnaround. He was fantastic in the Olympics, too.
Tuukka Rask, Bruins. Surprised to see Rask here? Don't be—he's been unbelievably good this season (1.97).
Roberto Luongo, Canucks. Louie's numbers weren't off the charts this season (2.57), but he proved he can cut it with the game on the line during Canada's gold-medal run.
Martin Brodeur, Devils. Brodeur is seeking his fourth Stanley Cup, and his numbers this season (2.24) certainly imply there's a great chance he'll get it.
We'll continue our NHL Playoff Picks & Predictions with a look at the top five star forwards making postseason appearances.
Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals. Alexander the Great finished third in points (109) and goals (50) this season despite missing 10 games. He looks unstoppable.
Sidney Crosby, Penguins. Sid the Kid notched his fourth 100-point season while scoring a career and league-high 51 goals. The Pens went 0-8-2 against Washington and New Jersey this season, though.
Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Canucks. Come on, it's the twins—you can't have one without the other. Henrik led the NHL in scoring with 112 points, while Daniel managed 85 of his own despite playing just 63 games.
Patrick Kane, Blackhawks. The Chicago winger shook off a controversial offseason for the best season of his young career (88 points).
Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals. Backstrom exploded for 101 points this season, and he's smoking-hot heading into the playoffs.
Get your NHL Playoffs Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook!
