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Today was the last day of the regular season in the NHL, so that brings the NHL playoffs to the forefront of the american sports scene. Ok, the CANADIEN sports scene, but still... I'm excited to see things get started. Last year I wasn't that excited about the playoffs, this year I'm really pumped for the matchups.

The most noteworthy thing that happened today was that my pre-season suprise playoff pick, the New York Islanders, have made the playoffs. Despite their crazy owner, I thought that their parts would actually make them a decent team. The pickup at the trade deadline of the Oilers' former captain, Ryan Smythe, was a great deal, and I think it will help them in their first-round playoff matchup against the overrated Buffalo Sabres. (Heh, that should get a few good comments).

The best part of the Islanders making the playoffs? That, coupled with Toronto's win over Montreal yesterday, means both Toronto and Montreal are eliminated from the playoffs. Because of the intense media scrutiny, and quite honestly how horribly the media treats both these teams, I'm actually happy to see them miss the playoffs - especially Toronto. Maybe now the Toronto media will start calling for a rebuilding process (which is actually what the Leafs need to do), instead of calling for temporary solutions. I'd like to see a good team wearing the Maple Leaf uniform, but they haven't been decent in a while.

So, yeah, NHL playoffs. I'm just hoping I can watch one or two Red Wings vs. Calgary games - hopefully they will either be on Versus or NBC. They won't be on TV here in Washington, DC, no doubt. Nor will Martha let me watch many of them on our only TV....

So, now that the brackets are set, here are my picks:

Eastern Conference
#1 Buffalo over #8 New York Islanders in Six - The Sabres offense will be just too much for the Isles
#2 New Jersey over #7 Tampa Bay in Five - I like the Lightning's scoring, but the Devils suffocate you with defense
#6 NY Rangers over #3 Atlanta in Seven - Jagr will explode in this series, and i think the Rangers' experience helps
#5 Pittsburgh over #4 Ottawa in Five - I just feel like the Pens have things going right

Western Conference
#1 Detroit over #8 Flames in Six - I'm going to regret this pick. The Wings aren't good with the Flames...
#2 Anaheim over #7 Minnesota in Four - this is probably the only sweep I'll predict. I just don't feel it from the Wild.
#3 Vancouver over #6 Dallas in Seven - Dallas will make this close, despite bad goaltending from Turco
#5 San Jose over #4 Nashville - the beginning of the end for the team in Nashville.