If the playoffs started today

It's to be that time of year where every hockey fan starts paying extra close attention to the standings. Fans watch the bottom teams to see who will make that 8th spot for the playoffs to see who their team will play and some are hoping it's their team that get's that 8th seed. This playoffs will welcome many faces we've seen in the past few years but it will also bring many new faces to the playoffs. Teams such as the Columbus Blue Jackets have never made the playoffs and are in position to do so this year. The Chicago Blackhawks haven't made the playoffs since 2002.

Now if the playoffs started today this is what the match ups would look like:

First off, I am disappointed in seeing that the New York Rangers would not make the playoffs and the Carolina Hurricanes would. I can only hope that the Rangers start winning and the Canes start losing. I am also disappointed in Dallas. I saw them taking the 5th seed in the West and that went down hill after the All-Star break. They'll be lucky if they get the 8th seed.

If the playoffs started today here would be my predictions for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

First Round

• Boston vs Florida. 5 games, Boston takes the series.
• New Jersey vs Carolina. 6 games, New Jersey takes the series.
• Wasington vs Pittsburgh. 7 games, Washignton takes the series. (This would be Bettmen's dream series).
• Philedelphia vs Montreal. 6 games, Montreal takes the series.

Second Round

• Boston vs Montreal. 6 games, Boston takes the series.
• New Jersey vs Washington. 6 games, New Jersey takes the series.

Eastern Conference Finals

• Boston vs New Jersey. 6 games with Boston taking the series.

Western Conference

First round

• San Jose vs Nashville. 6 games with San Jose taking the series. (I can see Nashville giving the Sharks a run for their money.)
• Detroit vs. Edmonton. 5 games with Detroit taking the series. (If the Wings play playoff hockey it'll be 5 games, if not it will be 7 games.)
• Calgary vs Columbus. 6 games with Calgary taking the series.
• Chicago vs Vancouver. 5 games with Vancouver taking the series.

Second Round

• San Jose vs Vancouver. 6 games with San Jose taking the series.
• Detroit vs Calgary. 7 games with Detroit taking the series.

Western Conference Finals

• San Jose vs Detroit. I honestly don't really have a prediction for this series. However, who ever wins this series will win the Stanley Cup.

So, those are my predictions. I will make sure to make another prediction blog when the playoffs are about to start. Now my question is, if the playoffs started today, what would your predictions be?