With the parity, there isn't many series that would really be upsets.
Boston/TBL vs. NJ -- Devils have been playing great hockey so they should be able to put up a fight. I wouldn't bet on it, but I could see NJ pulling off an upset
VGK vs. LA -- Interesting to see how Vegas looks. They've been terrific against the Pacific all year, but they're an unknown going in.
NSH vs. COL -- Nashville should easily be able to handle COL without Johnson and Varlamov. Colorado hasn't been particularly hot either.
WSH vs. CBJ -- Blue Jackets are in the same boat as the Devils here. Terrific run to end the year that they could ride it and play spoiler.
Agreed. Good evaluation.
I'd choose NJ over TBL. NJ vs Boston - is pick 'em, imho. I think such a series would go 7. Tampa may be struggling, but, I think Toronto is one team they could beat. If they have to play the speedy, improved Devils, then I think it's a different story. They might take the Devils to 6 or 7 but I don't see how they would beat them.
VGK vs COL - VGK keeps having it easy. That would be an upset if COL beat them.
WSH vs CBJ - The Caps don't seem to be the same. The pressure is off? Maybe, that helps them. But, Holtby used to be called one of the best goalies in the NHL but now it's being reported that the Caps might move to a new #1 soon? Ovechkin scored 49 goals and has a lot on his plate in that the Caps have been disappointments the past several seasons in the playoffs. To add to all that, they are playing the red-hot CBJ. I guess I won't try to pick a winner here. The BJ seem like the winners here but that series might be close. I'll say, maybe it goes 7 and it takes OT(s?) to determine the winner?