(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Tonight marks the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and even though the Flyers aren't playing, the playoff matchups in the first round are interesting. Many expect to see a Chicago vs Pittsburgh matchup in the finals. That is if they both make it out of the first round. These first matchups should be fun to watch. Here are the picks of our staff writers for the first round.
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #8 New York Islanders
Bill Leifholtz: Pittsburgh in 6
Kevin Yorke: Pittsburgh in 5
Kevin Durso: Pittsburgh in 5
Andrew Sifari: Pittsburgh in 5
Caleb Weiler: Pittsburgh in 5
Andrew Gillen: Pittsburgh in 5
#2 Montreal Canadiens vs #7 Ottawa Senators
Bill Leifholtz: Ottawa in 7
Kevin Yorke: Montreal in 5
Kevin Durso: Montreal in 6
Andrew Sifari: Montreal in 5
Caleb Weiler: Montreal in 6
Andrew Gillen: Montreal in 4
#3 Washington Capitals vs #6 New York Rangers
Bill Leifholtz: Washington in 5
Kevin Yorke: New York in 6
Kevin Durso: Washington in 7
Andrew Sifari: Washington in 6
Caleb Weiler: Washington in 6
Andrew Gillen: Washington in 7
#4 Boston Bruins vs #5 Toronto Maple Leafs
Bill Leifholtz: Boston in 6
Kevin Yorke: Boston in 6
Kevin Durso: Boston in 6
Andrew Sifari: Boston in 6
Caleb Weiler: Boston in 5
Andrew Gillen: Boston in 5
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs #8 Minnesota Wild
Bill Leifholtz: Chicago in 4
Kevin Yorke: Chicago in 4
Kevin Durso: Chicago in 5
Andrew Sifari: Chicago in 6
Caleb Weiler: Chicago in 5
Andrew Gillen: Chicago in 4
#2 Anaheim Ducks vs #7 Detroit Red Wings
Bill Leifholtz: Detroit in 6
Kevin Yorke: Anaheim in 7
Kevin Durso: Anaheim in 7
Andrew Sifari: Anaheim in 7
Caleb Weiler: Anaheim in 6
Andrew Gillen: Detroit in 7
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs #6 San Jose Sharks
Bill Leifholtz: Vancouver in 7
Kevin Yorke: Vancouver in 6
Kevin Durso: Vancouver in 6
Andrew Sifari: Vancouver in 5
Caleb Weiler: San Jose in 6
Andrew Gillen: Vancouver in 6
#4 St. Louis Blues vs #5 Los Angeles Kings
Bill Leifholtz: St. Louis in 6
Kevin Yorke: Los Angeles in 6
Kevin Durso: Los Angeles in 6
Andrew Sifari: Los Angeles in 6
Caleb Weiler: St. Louis in 7
Andrew Gillen: Los Angeles in 5
