Hockey playoffs started!!!!

Four series began last night. ESPN's experts weighed in on each series. Let's see what they said and what transpired.

4 Pittsburgh versus 5 Ottawa

First of all, fuck Pittsburgh. They did the same fucking thing last year where they failed to win enough games to sew up the two seed which would lead to a potential Eastern Conference Finals pitting Crosby against Ovechkin. Anyway, according to Scott Burnside, the Penguins have too much depth at center and their goaltending is too good. Before the series started, he predicted Pittsburgh in 6. Game 1? 5-4 Ottawa.

2 New Jersey versus 7 Philadelphia

New Jersey ACTUALLY won the Atlantic division, earning the 2 seed and (theoretically) avoiding Washington until the conference finals. According to Pierre LeBrun, you should never bet against Martin Brodeur in a 7 game series, and in fact sees New Jersey prevailing in 7 games. Game 1? 2-1 Philadelphia.

4 Phoenix versus 5 Detroit

Pierre LeBrun picks the Wings. Of COURSE he picks the Wings. You always pick the Wings. They always fucking win. It would be boring except their teams are so damned awesome year after year. Their stars weren't quite as good as years past, they dealt with some injury problems, and Lidstrom finally started looking old, but after the Olympic break no team in hockey won more games. Phoenix is a nice story of a decent hockey team struggling in a stupid market that has no business hosting an NHL team. But hey they won enough games to lock up the 4 seed, something they only did one other time since the playoffs switched to their current format back in '93-'94. It was fun while it lasted but let's let the real hockey teams on through. Game 1? 3-2 Phoenix.

1 San Jose versus 8 Colorado

San Jose is ALWAYS the top seed. They ALWAYS lose. It's just one of those things. It couldn't possibly happen again, could it? Not with Dany Heatley adding to the scoring punch. Not matched up against a reeling Colorado team who surprised everyone just making the playoffs but struggled mightily since the Olympic break. The San Jose team is too deep, too talented, and too experienced. Scott Burnside certainly think so, he picked the Sharks in 5 games. Game 1? Uh, I guess the Sharks will win 4 straight because Colorado took it 2-1.

So there you have it. Four series predictions from ESPN and four supposed upsets in game 1. At least they're consistent!