|  What a game between the Caps and Rangers the other night! Back and forth, Avery was all over Green, Ovechkin was all over the ice, Lundqvist was phenominal and the two teams sure got chippy towards the end. I really liked how loud it was in that building. Up here we see the Canadian teams as the only teams that can make some noise in an NHL rink...but the fans in Washington proved them all wrong last night. It was high energy, fast tempto and just all around great hockey and great hockey atmosphere. I can see an upset coming here. Mainly because of the battle between the pipes. Lundqvist has the ability to steal a game, and Theodore (as proven last night) has the ability to cost his team the game. I can't wait for Detroit and Columbus tonight and Boston and Montreal. Boston and Montreal is going to be the best series of the opening round. So much history, so much hatred, and both teams are built around speed and finesse. This is going to feature some end to end hockey, goaltenders stealing the show, back and forth games, and again, high energy and big time excitement. As far as who is going all the way, I'm going to take...Vancouver out of the West. I know it's not a pick most are making with SJ and Detroit in there, but Luongo is back in a big way and that is some really tight defense. With the additions of Sundin and Demitra they have the offense needed to make a serious impact. And from the East I'm torn between Boston and Pittsburgh. Since the firing of their coach the Penguins have been a team possessed. Fluery has found his game, Crosby found his, and Gino is Gino. They have the depth to make it happen and with Gonchar back and some grit added in Kunitz this team could very well return to the cup finals. Boston is big, strong, physical, fast, potent and widespread offense, and great between the pipes. They are, on paper, the complete hockey team. The total package. But they're too young to make this their year. There needs to be a learning curve and for those guys they rely on, this will be that year. They can make an impact, and they can go deep, but they will need things to go right for them if they want to come out of the East. It could happen, but I'm leaning more towards the Penguins at this point.
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