2006 NHL Playoffs First-Round Preview
	Fourballs.com knows most of its readers out there probably have not kept up with the new and improved NHL this season. So to help you get caught up we've been kind enough to map out the first round playoff matchups for you. Here's how it's all going to go down over the next two weeks: Eastern Conference 1) Ottawa vs. 8) Tampa Bay - Both hockey fans in the Tampa area are extremely excited about the defending champs' chances at an upset here.  Ottawa goalie Dominik Hasek is still recovering from groin surgery last month as his body is slow to take to the implant he had put in. Prediction: Tampa wins in 7 games. 2) Carolina vs. 7) Montreal - With their backs against the wall, the Canadiens signed cagey forward Claude Lemieux out of retirement for this series. You can take the Whalers out of Hartford but you can't take the mediocrity out of the team as a painful replay of 1987 will occur, minus the all-green uniforms.*  Prediction: Montreal in 7. 3) New Jersey vs. 6) NY Rangers - The Devils adapted well this season to the rule-changes designed to break up their boring defensive style of play. Their success will continue into the playoffs as their Goalie-Crease Trap will stifle Jagr and the Rangers who won't come within 25 feet of the net. Prediction: Devils in 4 games, by a combined score of 4-0. 4) Buffalo vs. 5) Philadelphia - The return of star Peter Forsberg is good news for the inconsistent Flyers. But it remains to be seen just how good he can be as he tries to play through a broken neck, three cracked ribs, a blown ACL, a snapped Achillies tendon, 4 hangnails, and an undescended left testicle. Prediction: Sabres in 6. Western Conference 1) Detroit vs. 8) Edmonton - The Red Wings continue to out-run Father Time as their aging veterans led the team to the best record in the league for the third time in four years. The Oilers will spend the next two weeks reminiscing about the 1980's as they are easily beaten by guys the same age as Gretzky and Messier. Prediction: Red Wings in 4. 2) Dallas vs. 7) Colorado - An intriguing matchup because of the many parallels between the two teams. Both squads play with a terrific balance of offense and defense. Both the Stars and Avs have streaky goaltending. Oh, and back in the 90's both teams left hockey-mad Northern cities for markets where hockey was relatively unknown. So there's that too. Prediction: Stars in 6. 3) Calgary vs. 6) Anaheim - This series pits what is good about hockey versus what is wrong with the sport. The hard-nosed, small-market Flames from up North look to return to the Cup after losing in the finals back in 2004.  The fancy-skating Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim hope to rekindle their own magical Cup run from 2003. Old-time hockey beats Disney characters every time. Prediction: Calgary in 7. 4) Nashville vs. 5) San Jose - Be honest, did you even know these two cities had professional hockey teams, let alone good ones? That's what I thought.  So I could say anything about the teams here and you'd buy every word of it? Last month I was playing in a Rec League game down in Canton, MA and both the Sharks and Predators were on hand to scout me. After the game I turned down contract offers from both teams out of respect to my Rec League teammates. Prediction: San Jose in 6. * - I feel like I sold my soul for that laugh. Sorry Ronnie, long live the Whale.
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