Playoffs? Playoffs?

Sorry, but I couldn't help but think of Jim Mora when coming up with a headline for this entry.

"What's that? Uh -- Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?"

Because I'm guessing the reaction from most will be similar. Playoffs? Playoffs? I'm going to predict this year's National Hockey League playoffs in October?

I'm going to try.

On the day that the MLB playoffs begins - the Cubs host L.A. at Wrigley in just a few hours - I'm going to give a go at my ice cold crystal ball.

I do this every year, just for fun. The so-called hockey experts have their say, and I figure why not have mine? I'm a huge hockey fan, I've been following the league since a youngster - my earliest memories the 93-94 season and the infamous 7-game series between the NY Rangers and Vancouver. So here I go.

Earlier in Hawkey Central, I posted predictions for the regular season in the Western Conference - and yes I had Chicago making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here's the match-ups based on those predictions, and I'll walk through my best guesses based on those:

Conference Quarterfinals
1. Detroit vs. 8. Columbus
DET in 5 - No stopping the Red Wing machine.
2. San Jose vs. 7. Phoenix
PHX in 7 - A young team like Phoenix is most capable of pulling off a big upset in the West.
3. Vancouver vs. 6. Anaheim
VAN in 6 - Team captain Luongo and a rejuvenated offense is too much for the Ducks.
4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary
CHI in 5 - Hawks will have the superior offensive talent and special teams.

Conference Semifinals
1. Detroit vs. No. 7 Phoenix
DET in 6 - See above.
3. Vancouver vs. 4. Chicago
VAN in 7 - The Hawks will fall just short, but no shame in returning to the playoffs and losing in 7 in the 2nd round.

Conference Finals
1. Detroit vs. No. 3 Vancouver
DET in 6 - This team is again the team to beat out West, looking poised and ready for a repeat. But will the East stop them?

I say yes. It's the East's year, I just have a strong feeling about that.

Montreal over Detroit in 6 games. A Stanley Cup for the Canadiens to celebrate their 100th season with the National Hockey League.

Just having some fun...who knows how it will turn out, but I think the powerhouses are pretty well defined, and Detroit and Montreal will be among the upper echelon all year long.

Still, don't be surprised to see a team like the Hawks or a team like the Capitals in the East sneak up on everyone and put together a real contender-type run. It should be an exciting season, and I'd love to be wrong on my predictions and see some new teams in the Finals this year. Chicago there would be great. Would be great for my native Buffalo to be there too.

Go Cubs tonight!

KEY UPCOMING DATES:
Thursday, Friday: preseason road games
Sunday: preseason home game
Friday, Oct 10: Regular season begins in New York against the Rangers.

COMING SOON TO HAWKEY CENTRAL:
-Hawks Depth Chart, just in time for the drop of the puck on the 08-09 regular season