We do these picks every year, right? Let's see how wrong these turn out to be:
First round
1) Washington over 8) NY Rangers in 5
2) Philadelphia over 7) Buffalo in 6
6) Montreal over 3) Boston in 6
4) Pittsburgh over 5) Tampa in 6
1) Vancouver over 8) Chicago in 4
7) LA Kings over 2) San Jose in 7
3) Detroit over 6) Phoenix in 4
5) Nashville over 4) Anaheim in 5
Conference semis
1) Washington over 6) Montreal in 5
2) Philadelphia over 4) Pittsburgh in 7
1) Vancouver over 7) LA Kings in 5
3) Detroit over 5) Nashville in 6
Conference finals
1) Washington over 2) Philadelphia in 5
1) Vancouver over 3) Detroit in 6
Stanley Cup finals
1) Vancouver over 1) Washington in 5
I know how much realmofotalk wants a Ducks-Kings matchup in the Western Conference finals. Or at any point. Can't see it happening.