It's finally the time of year when your Center Ice subscription finally becomes worth it because otherwise you're too ******* busy to use it .

First round predictions:

VAN vs CHI, VAN in 6: should be a good series but the Hawks have underachieved badly this year and the Canucks should be able to get revenge, though they will not beat them as easily as they should.

SJS vs LAK, SJS in 6: this one I probably won't pay too much attention to, though the matchup is pretty good.

DET vs PHX, DET in 6: Detroit is much worse than their record suggests, basically all their wins in the 2nd half of the season came against non playoff teams, but the Coyotes never impressed me and the Wings always have their number. I should be able to see my team win at least one series.

ANA vs NSH, ANA in 6: Ducks looking scary with Perry playing out of his mind for the last couple of months. Nashville can't score, and Ducks D + G are pretty close to the Preds'. Rinne steals a couple of games.

WSH vs NYR, WSH in 5: Caps new more defensive style makes them a worse team I think, that last year was just a choke job and a hot goalie combined. But they should still easily beat the Rangers.

PHI vs BUF, PHI in 4 (add one game for each game Pronger misses): I can't believe the Flyers choked away their top spot in the east , they have Buffalo completely outclassed though, except for in net and Miller has fallen back to earth. But they need Pronger like humans need oxygen.

BOS vs MTL, BOS in 4: Another lopsided series in the East, Boston should absolutely have no trouble with Montreal. I'd say Price would steal a game against basically any other team but Thomas will negate that steal here.

TBL vs PIT, TBL in 5 (6 if Crosby plays significantly): Gonna be one of the ones I watch most closely. PIT has incredible team defense and Fleury is playing at his potential, but losing Crosby and Malkin seals their fate. Even if Crosby will be back, he probably won't be anywhere near at the level he was earlier this season. PIT can't win with shootouts anymore, and TBL with St. Louis and a rejuvenated Lecavalier are dangerous, even if Stamkos is cold. Gagne has finally woken up a bit.