Playoff Picks: Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo over (8) New York Islanders.

You don't think Ted Nolan is going to unleash 10 years worth of fury on the franchise which dumped him after a successful two year stint behind the bench? Think again. Too bad that telling your charges to play it rough with Buffalo's skilled, stocked roster won't produce anything but a ton of short-handed situations - which plays right into the Sabres' ability to drown any team with a deluge of goals. The Islanders might surprise Buffalo in one game at HSBC, but I'm seeing New York's only series win in Uniondale. That's not to say the Islanders won't be competitive in the series - they won't be blown out of any game - but Nolan can't squeeze enough out of his team to make a serious statement. Playing without Rick DiPietro in net is also a huge handicap. Sabres in five.

(2) New Jersey over (7) Tampa Bay.

True, the Lightning boast a slick, skilled attack, and Vinny Lecavalier is the Rocket Richard Trophy winner, but the Bolts come into the postseason with hockey's version of Barbaro's limp. Plus, even if Johan Holmqvist and Marc Denis suffered a bizarre accident which fused them together, they still wouldn't have the impact in the net that Nikolai Khabibulin did. New Jersey can turn on the tap when they wish, and, as usual, it will just be enough to back up their Hall-of-Fame goaltender. The Devils and Martin Brodeur will wring every single second of the clock they can to win games in this series, but there will be at least one game where Tampa lets loose the offensive beast. It won't be enough, though, as Brodeur once again proves to be the difference maker. Devils in six.

(6) New York Rangers vs (3) Atlanta

This is the booby prize for winning the weakest division in your conference - a date with the Rangers, who now have some fighting spirit with Brendan Shanahan at the controls. Yes, Jaromir Jagr wears the "C" but Shanahan runs the locker room, has earned the respect of his teammates, and is the firebrand general Jagr could never be. Each of these clubs can play whatever style is needed - open, pond-hockey game, or a taut defensive, close-checking manner. Bob Hartley and Tom Renney will be locked into a chess match each game for sure, but every game will eventually rise to a crescendo as the best players take the initiative. I see the Rangers getting a split in Atlanta, which will allow them to take control of the series. The combined playoff savvy of Scott Mellanby, Bobby Holik, Steve Rucchin and Keith Tkachuk won't be enough to keep the Rangers from spreadin' the news that their loss to the Devils last season was an aberration. New York in six.

(4) Ottawa over (5) Pittsburgh.

This series is like a Disney movie as far as the Penguins are concerned. They've been saved from extinction in their home town, rose as high as first place, got a playoff berth, so why would anyone dare to pick against these lovable kids with hearts of gold? Because they've never had to deal with the pressure of a playoff series, that's why. Even though the Senators have the 200-pound albatross of previous postseason failures on their collective backs, at least their numerous playoff failures constitute so much more actual experience than Pittsburgh (Mark Recchi - one Cup). This is the most important series in the careers of a number of Senators, because losing to Buffalo, Toronto and New Jersey in the past is one thing, but to lose to a bunch of diaper dandies wearing a skating Penguin logo is another. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, et al., are facing baptism by fire, but they have absolutely nothing to lose. Is Michel Therrien going to let them try to recreate the 1981 Oilers? Heck no, but he's not going to crack the whip every shift. Bryan Murray will be, and it will be enough to get the Sens to another round. Ottawa in six.