It's that time of year again when Jay and I get out the ol' magic ball and produce prognostications of prodigious prestige. Anywho, check out our playoff winners for the first round of playoffs kicking off tomorrow.

STANLEY CUP

JASON

• The Wings have been #1 during the regular season and hold home ice during all the playoffs. Logic says they will continue but the Pens are the new blood. The Hossa move is paying off big time, Fleury is looking like Dryden, and not sure if you've heard of Malkin and Crosby. I think this is the beginning of Crosby's growing legend. Pens in 6.

MIKE

• I watched the Wings dismantle the Stars in Game 6 to clinch a Cup playoff berth; they are the real deal. Osgood may not be as good as Fluery, as all our paid brethren are saying, but he's got it going on. Zetterberg's short-handed goal in Game 6 was a thing of beauty. Franzen will hopefully be back in time to score a few of his own. And Lidstrom will be Lidstrom. I'm going with the Wings in 7.

CONFERENCE FINALS

JASON

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Flyers vs Penguins: Do the Flyers think they are the 1988 Bruins? Sorry, I miss the Bruins. I think their Cinderella run is about over. Pens in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Red Wings vs. Stars: The way the Stars are playing, they could win this with how hot Turco is. Stars in 7.

MIKE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Flyers vs Penguins: I won't mention that slew-footing brother called Malkin nor Sidney "Dive and a Head Snap" Crosby. I promise. I'd like to be objective but can't get there just yet. So, Hartnell separates Malkin from his skates and Steve Downie makes an appearance in Crosby's face. That's what I hope at least. Philly in 7.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Red Wings vs. Stars: I'll be a bit more detached about this one. The Stars surprised me and just about every other hockey prognosticator with their win over San Jose (changes acoming on the West Coast, you can count on that). However, I still think the Red Wings have the edge when it comes to overall game. Osgood has been a godsend in net all season and guys named something other Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been contributing offensively. Dare I say the Wings in 6? I dare.

ROUND 2

JASON

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Flyers vs. Canadiens: Canadiens in 6. The Habs got a major scare from my B's and the Flyers were a surprise to me. When the Habs are on, I think they are too tough for anyone to beat.
• Rangers vs. Penguins: Rangers in 7. The Rangers are built to win now but I think this is just the beginning for the Penguins. The King will be too much for them.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Avs vs. Wings: Avs in 7. The rivalry renews. Theodore is hot and I'm picking Colorado to upset.
• Sharks vs. Stars: Sharks in 6. Maybe this is their year.

MIKE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Flyers vs. Canadiens: Though the B's exposed the Canadiens shortcomings on D, I still think they have enough offense and Price to win this series. Canadiens 4-3.
• Rangers vs. Penguins: If The King plays like The King and Jagr continues his post-season Renaissance, the Rangers will win this series. I think it shall be so. Rangers 4-2.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Avs vs. Wings: Osgood led the NHL in GAA during the regular season. And the Wings goal differential was the best in the league. Add a Zetterberg and Datsyuk and a great supporting cast and its a Wings kinda series. Wings 4-1.
• Sharks vs. Stars: Didn't think the Stars had it in them but they showed the Ducks a thing or two in Round 1. Turco got the playoff monkey off his back last year and has continued his solid play this year. I still think San Jose has a few too many offensive weapons and a Vezina candidate to boot. San Jose 4-2.

ROUND 1

JASON

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Bruins vs. Habs:  B's in 6.  Stop laughing.
• Caps vs. Flyers:  Caps in 5.  Ovi and Co. are rolling and I don't see it stopping in the 1st round.
• Pens vs. Sens:  Pens in 5.  Ottawa is the best-worst team in the playoffs.  What happened?
• Devils vs. Rangers:  This is a tough one but just to get under my partners's skin, I'll go with the Devils in 7.
  

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Red Wings vs. Preds:  Wings in 4.  See Dive.
• Wild vs. Avs:  Avs in 6.  I'm purely going with the Avs because I think Theodore is better.
• Sharks vs. Flames:  Flames in 6.  Worst first round opponent for the Sharks.
• Ducks vs. Stars:  Ducks in 5.  The Stars have fallen apart in the last half of the season.

MIKE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Bruins vs. Habs: Les Habs went 8-o against the B's this season. Montreal's offense and PP will be too much for the B's D and goaltending. Montreal 4-2.
• Caps vs. Flyers:  I should take the Caps as they have been the hottest team in the NHL as of late. But they haven't been in the playoffs since 2003. So the Flyers then? Right? Ah forget it. Caps 4-2.
• Pens vs. Sens:  The Sens are a mess and the Pens have two outstanding goaltenders. And a Crosby. And a Malkin. Pens 4-2.
• Devils vs. Rangers: Rangers took the season series 7-1 though the loss was a costly one as the Devils took home-ice advantage. You know how I feel about my Rangers. Jagr comes up big as he shows the hockey-loving world he can still light the lamp. Rangers 4-3.
  

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Red Wings vs. Preds:  Nashville has been remarkable this year given the mass exodus at the end of last season. But I think this Wings team is ready for the playoffs. Wings 4-2.
• Wild vs. Avs:  Gotta go with my man Jay on this one. Theodore looks like the goalie who won the MVP in 2002-2003. Avs 4-3.
• Sharks vs. Flames:  I haven't watched much of either team but San Jose has been the best team on the road with 27 wins. And they have Joe Thorton. Sharks 4-3.
• Ducks vs. Stars: The Ducks aren't scoring much but still play with that nasty edge (see Pronger). If Perry comes back in time to help light it up offensively, this could be the Sharks series. Dallas ended the season on a losing note going 3-5-2 in its last 10. I think Niedermayer and Selanne still have enough magic to see the Ducks through this series. Ducks 4-2.