My Annual NHL playoff predictions!

After a crazy regular season it is now time to turn our eyse to the playoffs where the second season takes center stage and where every game is played as if its your last (cause it could be!)

I will start in the East:

Boston (1) and Montreal (8)
We all know I am a die hard Montreal fan. This season has been one of few ups and many downs. In a season where many predicted Montreal would sail away with the Eastern Conference title the Habs finish the season with the 8th and final seat.
Boston on the other hand was predicted to not even make the playoffs by some. The emergence of Krejci certianly helped and Tim Thomas is again proving he is a top flight goalie (and will likely win the Vezina trophy, who would have predicted that at the start of the season!)

My heart is with Montreal but my mind doesn't know how they can pull it off. They will steal a game or 2 but Boston will prevail. If Markov and Lang can find their way back into the lineup I will change this around. But without them..
Boston in 5

Washington (2) vs Rangers (7)
This will be a great series, I love watching the Capitals its amazing what a few years can do for a team. The Rangers have become underachievers and have continued a tradition of buying talent and hoping they all gel. Unfortunately they do not form a cohesive team that will go the distance. Avery helps shake things up and I am sure he helps sell tickets in NY but he can only do so much.
Lunqvist is a super star goalie and I give him the edge over Theo, but the big guns of Washington may just revert Theo to the mess he was just a year or so ago. Therefore my prediction is...
Washington in 6

New Jersey (3) vs Carolina (6)
The focus seems to be on NJ faltering late season, pundits are sure this will carry over and Carolina will squeak by and take NJ. I take another road. New Jersey lost Brodeur this season and came out and did better than they have in years. They unleashed their offense and you had the likes of Parise and Elias scoring at a torrid pace.
Carolina has a lot of tools but you only need to look at Brind'amour to know this is not the same carolina team that won the Stanley Cup. -23 for the teams leader, heart if you will is very telling.
I think Jersey could go far as long as I am right and they put the ship in the right direction.
New jersey in 6

Philadelphia Flyers (4) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (5)

I hate the Flyers. I thought I would put that out there right now to show that yes I am biased. On the other hand Pittsburgh has a superstar in Malkin that I love to cheer for. But this is about the playoffs so..
Philadelphia 's Biron isnt bad but he doesn't have the consistency of Fleury. Fleury has come a long way since the early days in the league where he was brought in much to early and had a continuous trial by fire on the job learning experience. Fleury was a boy when he entered the league, and has emerged a man ready to carry the weight of the post season on his shoulders.
The forwards are where all the fun is though, Pits has 3 big centers in Malkin, Crosby and Staal. While Staal can be hit or miss that still gives 3 lines that Philly will have to try and contain.
All this to say I am confident that Philly cannot contain the offense of Pitts and Pitts will be able to steal a few goals that Philly would otherwise be due.
Pittsburgh in 6