2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round One

The NHL should be very pleased with the first round match ups in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

There is the classic rivalry between Boston and Montreal. Then the game's top player, Alexander Ovechkin, will be playing in the media capital of the world - New York. And there are three good regional showdowns: Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh in another battle of Pennsylvania; San Jose vs. Anaheim in the first Battle of California since 1969; and Detroit vs. Columbus.

Here is a break down of the first round series'.

Eastern Conference	Western Conference
(1) Boston (53-19-10, 116 pts) PP - 23.6% - PK - 82.4% (8) Montreal (41-30-11, 93 pts) PP - 19.2% - PK - 82.4% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Bruins lead 5-1 Oct 15: at Canadiens 4, Bruins 3 (SO) Nov 13: at Bruins 6, Canadiens 1 Nov 22: Bruins 3 at Canadiens 2 (SO) Jan 13: at Bruins 3, Canadiens 1 Feb 1: Bruins 3 at Canadiens 1 Apr 9: at Bruins 5, Canadiens 4 (OT)	(1) San Jose (53-18-11, 117 pts) PP - 24.2% - PK - 83.3% (8) Anaheim (42-33-7, 91 pts) PP - 23.6% - PK - 79.7% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Sharks lead 4-2 Oct 9: at Sharks 4, Ducks 1 Oct 17: at Ducks 4, Sharks 0 Dec 11: at Sharks 2, Ducks 0 Mar 15: Sharks 1 at Ducks 0 Apr 4: Ducks 5 at Sharks 2 Apr 5: Sharks 3 at Ducks 2
(2) Washington (50-24-8, 108 pts) PP - 25.2% - PK - 8o.6% (7) NY Rangers (43-30-9, 95 pts) PP - 13.9% - PK - 87.8% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Capitals win 3-1 Nov 8: at Capitals 3, Rangers 1 Dec 23: Capitals 5 at Rangers 4 (OT) Jan 3: at Capitals 2, Rangers 1 Feb 11: at Rangers 5, Capitals 4 (SO)	(2) Detroit (51-21-10, 112 pts) PP - 25.5% - PK - 78.3% (7) Columbus (41-31-10, 92 pts) PP - 12.7% - PK - 82.1% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Tied 3-3 Nov 28: at Red Wings 5, Blue Jackets 3 Jan 6: at Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 0 Jan 27: at Blue Jackets 3, Red Wings 2 (OT) Feb 13: at Blue Jackets 3, Red Wings 2 Mar 7: Blue Jackets 8 at Red Wings 2 Mar 15: Red Wings 4 at Blue Jackets 0
(3) New Jersey (51-27-4, 106 pts) PP - 18.9% - PK - 79.9% (6) Carolina (45-30-7, 97 pts) PP - 18.7% - PK - 80.4% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Hurricanes win 3-1 Jan 6: at Hurricanes 3, Devils 2 Mar 18: at Hurricanes 4, Devils 2 Mar 28: Hurricanes 2 at Devils 1 Apr 11: at Devils 3, Hurricanes 2	(3) Vancouver (45-27-10, 100 pts) PP - 18.8% - PK - 81.4% (6) St. Louis (41-31-10, 92 pts) PP - 20.5% - PK - 83.8% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Tied 2-2 Jan 9: Blues 6 at Canucks 4 Feb 10: Canucks 6 at Blues 4 Mar 19: at Canucks 3, Blues 0 Mar 26: at Blues 4, Canucks 2
(4) Pittsburgh (45-28-9, 99 pts) PP - 17.2% - PK - 82.7% (5) Philadelphia (44-27-11, 99 pts) PP - 22.5% - PK - 83.0% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Penguins lead 4-2 Oct 14: at Penguins 3, Flyers 2 (OT) Nov 13: at Penguins 5, Flyers 4 (SO) Dec 13: at Flyers 6, Penguins 3 Jan 13: Penguins 4 at Flyers 2 Feb 21: Penguins 5 at Flyers 4 Mar 22: Flyers 3 at Penguins 1	(4) Chicago (46-24-12, 104 pts) PP - 19.3% - PK - 80.6% (5) Calgary (46-30-6, 98 pts) PP - 17.0% - PK - 83.4% REGULAR SEASON SERIES Blackhawks win 4-0 Nov 9: at Blackhawks 6, Flames 1 Dec 19: Blackhawks 3 at Flames 2 (OT) Jan 4: at Blackhawks 5, Flames 2 Feb 5: Blackhawks 5, Flames 2

Here's your first round game and television schedule.

I think it is pretty wide open this year. With good health and couple of breaks, I would not be surprised by any team making it to the Stanley Cup finals.

I do not like making predictions at the best of times. If I can make up my mind today, I will make my prediction (also known to the team I choose as the kiss of death) on Wednesday morning!

In the meantime let me know what you think. Post your thoughts in the comments.