We’re deep enough into the first round of the NHL Playoffs that it’s time to look back at our original predictions and see what we can make of all this excitement.

The first big story of the NHL Playoffs is that the Detroit Red Wings took care of the Phoenix Coyotes without a hitch.  The Red Wings took the first series in game 4 by sending Phoenix packing to go home….to Winnipeg? Who knows the fate of the Coyotes next year but here’s a look at the remaining games in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.

	#7		Buffalo Sabres	vs.	Philadelphia Flyers	#2
Buffalo has played Philly tough, as expected, and pushed the series to a 2-2 tie.  Philly has lost a bit of composure in game 4 which allowed Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to blank the Flyers and sent them home confused.  The Flyers have the skills and depth to beat the Sabres but have really yet to show it in a consistent form.  That’s why I’m still going with Buffalo to tough this series out.   PREDICTION : Sabres win series 4-3, my upset pick of the week Results : Series tied 2-2, still up for grabs by Sabres
	#8		New York Rangers	vs.	Washington Capitals	#1
The Rangers for a brief period of game 4 and 5 looked to give the Caps a run for their money.  Something happened in game 4 as the Caps held on into OT to sneak a goal in for the win and totally deflate the Rangers hopes.  The Caps are just too strong and stubborn for the Rangers and it could easily turn into  a win for the Caps in game 5 with an extra benefit of time off before the next round.  PREDICTION : Caps win series 4-2 RESULTS: Game 5 heads to DC, Caps should wrap up.
	#6		Montreal Canadians	vs.	Boston Bruins	#3
The Bruins dropped 2 at home but showed up in style to take 2 hard-fought games in Montreal to even the series.  In the end the Bruins are stronger and deeper than the Canadians and have a chance to take the series momentum away from the emotional Habs squad.  The series is about as we expected it here as both teams are punching it out like heavyweights.  Key here is the Boston netminders.  They need to reach down deep and pull out a magnificent game to break the spirits of Montreal to get to the next round. PREDICTION: Bruins win series 4-3 RESULTS: Tied 2-2, but Bruins looking to snap out of hybernation
	#5		Tampa Bay Lightning	vs.	Pittsburgh Penguins	#4
Despite having what seems like all their talent on IR, the Pens have used solid “D” and goal tending to hold off the Bolts.  In the end I see the Pens lacking the depth to go far into the playoffs but they are riding a high at the moment and are easily handling a Tampa squad lacking the ‘pop’ they need to go to round 2.   PREDICTION : Sabres win series 4-3, my upset pick of the week RESULTS: Pens dominate to the tune of 3-1.  Should be an easy wrap for Pittsburgh
	#8		Chicago Blackhawks	vs.	Vancouver Canucks	#1
The Canucks looked on their way to an easy first round win until the Canucks’ Raffi Torres hit Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook with a controversial check in Game 3.  Something about that hit seemed to wake up the ‘Hawks and the series now heads back to Chicago with Vancouver up 3-2 after the Canucks were up 3-0.  The Canucks lost 2 in a row by blowouts as Chicago got into the head of Roberto Luongo and blew him off the ice.  Game 6 is now in Chicago and the Canucks, if they are for real, will have to wake up and win this game.  The series shows the Canucks are highly vulnerable, especially at goal, and for them to even consider playing with the big boys in the next round they have to wake up. I expect the Canucks to fire up and take game 6 even though it’s at Chicago.  That’s what good teams do and I still believe the Canucks are a better team here. PREDICTION: Canucks win series 4-2 RESULTS : Canucks lead series 3-2, should win but look soft.
	#6		Phoenix Coyotes	vs.	Detroit Red Wings	#3
The big story of the NHL Playoffs is that the Detroit Red Wings took care of the Phoenix Coyotes without a hitch.  A lot of us expected more of a fight from the ‘Yotes since this is the same team that rushed the Wings in the Playoffs last year to give Detroit a scare.  Instead, the young Coyotes will disappear into the fog of the offseason not knowing where they will end up.  That’s because the franchise is such a mess that it will most likely end up somewhere else.  The NHL is keep the franchise afloat in Phoenix and that means all the other owners are helping out.  I’m sure that won’t last long mostly when there are more than suitable owners in Winnipeg and Quebec will to take on the debacle that is the Phoenix Coyote team. And not everyone is happy about the possible move to the relatively unknown city for most American fans. Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is quoted today as stating that “he’d rather play in the KHL next season.” Maybe he can join his buddy Evgeni Nabokov over there.  Unless either of them would like to play for the Islanders?  Yeah, maybe not. Now the Red Wings can relax and wait for the next round.  Not a bad scenario for an older team who could use the rest. PREDICTION: Red Wings win series 4-2 RESULTS: Red Wings won series 4-0
	#5		Nashville Predators	vs.	Anaheim Ducks	#4
Like the Canucks, the Predators lost their goaltending and look soft.  The Ducks can outscore almost any team on the ice but against the brick wall of the Predators Pekka Rinne it looked like the Preds might make their first trip into the second round of the playoffs.  That is until the Ducks figured out Rinne.  It’s a whole new game here as without Rinne the Preds are going nowhere fast.  Should Pekka show up to his regular series form then Nashville will be OK. Nashville has never won a game 5 and heads to Cali without Martin Erat, who took a cheap hit from Jarkko Ruutu.  Erat won’t make the trip out west but it hurts both teams as the NHL suspsended Jarkko Ruutu for game 5. PREDICTION: Nashville win series 4-3 RESULTS: Series tied 2-2, heads to Anaheim for game 5. Fate of series decided by Rinne’s play.
	#7		L.A. Kings	vs.	San Jose Sharks	#2
The Kings limp into the playoffs with some of their best talent on the IR but somehow jumped out early to threaten San Jose, who looked stale at times in the first two games.  A solid win in OT in game 3 seemed to wake up the Sharks who easily rolled in a 6-3 win in game 4.  Game 5 is in San Jose and the Sharks should take the series early.  PREDICTION: Sharks win series 4-1 RESULTS: Sharks lead series 3-1 and should easily wrap up during game 5.

Things are finally going right in Boston. With current Vezina Trophy Winner Tim Thomas, and Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara, I’m picking Boston to take home the Stanley Cup in 2010. They also have the 2009 Jack Adams winner in Claude Julien who was given a three year extension this off season. It appears that they’re going to lose Phil Kessel lead their team in goal scoring, but I expect him to be traded before he signs an offer sheet.

I truly am starting to believe that Savard can make anyone score, which is why the potential loss of Kessel doesn’t concern me. With little cap space left ($1.8 million according to NhlNumers.com), I also don’t expect them to make many additions. What I would like to see though is the addition of a stay at home defensemen for them.

Jeff Gesner is the owner/operator of a small sports apparel/memorabilia business
called “The Stadium”. He spent some time in the scriptwriting business for film. The transition has been satisfying for Jeff being a sports fanatic.

Obviously picking Detroit, San Jose or Pittsburgh are sensible choices for the 2010 Stanley Cup Winner, but there is another team that I feel has improved this off-season and will make a push for the Stanley Cup. That team is the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers have improved an already solid roster, they acquired goaltender Ray Emery this summer, and as well they added all-star defenseman Chris Pronger. Emery’s off ice problems haven’t been kept confidential, we all know about his road rage issues and the party scene he enjoyed while being in Ottawa, but he did go to the Stanley Cup finals in the 2006-07 season, so unlike Biron and Niittymaki, he has some experience. I think Philadelphia will be a good fit for Ray as long as he is willing to stay away from the problems that eventually ended his career in Ottawa.

Chris Pronger doesn’t need to be hyped-up, he’s been a top blue liner in the NHL for over a decade, Pronger has a Norris Trophy, Hart Trophy, and a Stanley Cup on his resume, along with being a five time all-star. Pronger is going to be the key to Philadelphia’s success this year.

Returning to the Flyers roster is Simon Gagne, Jeff Carter, and team captain Mike Richards. I feel both Carter and Richards will be top 10 in scoring amongst the NHL this upcoming season, I’m also watching for Danny Briere to have a comeback year. Scott Hartnell put up career high 30 goals last season, and sophomore sensation Claude Giroux will add a scoring presence as well.

Philadelphia possesses youth, experience, scoring punch, and of course that Flyer toughness. If players such as Briere and Gagne can stay healthy, they have a legit shot at winning the cup in 2010.

Adam Steevens is a student, author and blogger who has semi-coherent thoughts about the NHL

I admit, this is a dark-horse pick, (In vegas, Vancouver is sitting at 18/1 odds) but the Canucks have the balanced formula it takes to bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993. You can’t ignore Roberto Luongo; he is arguably one of the best netminders in the league, and championships are often won or lost on goaltending alone. Luongo kept a stellar .920 save percentage over 54 games, and stayed consistent throughout the playoffs last year (.914 over 10 games). Not only is Roberto hungry to win a cup for Vancouver, but he’s competing for starting job for Team Canada in the Olympics; expect him to have an outstanding year.

The Canucks have a top-six that can compete in the stacked Western Conference, (D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Wellwood, Demitra, Kesler, Burrows, Johnson) and expect a breakout year from youngster Alexandre Burrows; he netted 51 points in his third year in the NHL last season, and proved he can score clutch goals when he knocked St.Louis out of the first round with an overtime, series-ending goal.

The Vancouver blueline looks like one of the best in the Western Conference (Ehrhoff, Edler, Schneider, Bieksa, Lukowich, Salo), and with the recent acquisition of Ehrhoff and Schneider, they continued to build up depth on defense. Couple this strong defense with the world-class goaltending in Roberto Luongo, and it’s clear that the Vancouver Canucks are a serious contender for the 2010 Stanley cup.