2012 NHL Playoffs: My Top 4 1st Round Series You Need To Watch

(Photo via sports.yahoo.com)

Here we go again! The most wonderful time of the year. Round one of the NHL playoffs kick off this week and puckheads could not be happier. If your household is like most, you need to fight for that precious TV time. Choose your battles wisely, my friends. With that said, here are four 1st round series that you need to watch:

Eastern Conference

5 Philadelphia Flyers

VS

4 Pittsburg Penguins


Season Series

Penguins won 4-2

Why You Need To Be A Witness:

This will be a no-holds barred full scale war. There is so much hate between these Pennsylvanian neighbours, witnessed by all in the final 2 games between these foes. Throw in some mudslinging played out through the Media with a collection of world class superstars and you have yourself a bruising match-up that is bound to entertain. Crosby will be too much to handle and will have his way in this series, and the playoffs for that matter. Expect this to get nasty quickly. Expect it to go back and forth. Expect (possibly) the best series of the year.

If This Series Were A Movie It Would Be:

There Will Be Blood

Paq The Omnipotent Seer says:

Pens in 6


*****Homer Alert*****

8 Ottawa Senators


VS

1 New York Rangers


Season Series:

Senators won 3-1

Why You Need To Be A Witness:

Ottawa stumbled to the finish line, but received a blessing in disguise by drawing the Rangers instead of the Big Bad Bruins. I'm not insinuating that the Sens will walk away easily with this, but they have a better chance of taking this series. New York has a money playoff performer centering their first line in Richards with a world class sniper called Gaborik on his wing. They are one of the most dangerous duos in the league and can hit the offensive zone with authority. Sens All-Star and leading offensive defensman Karlsson is participating in his first NHL playoffs and look for him to make an impact with Spezza and Alfredsson. All of the pundits predicted that Ottawa would finish last in the Eastern Conference. I feel like they are still not taking this team seriously. If the Rangers act the same way, they will be another top seed kicked out in the first round.

If This Series Were A Movie It Would Be:

Rudy

Paq The Omnipotent Seer says:

Sens in 7

Western Conference

5 Detroit Red Wings


VS

4 Nashville Predators


Season Series:

Tied at 3

Why You Need To Be A Witness:

The Preds have a team built to last in the playoffs: solid defense anchored by all-star and beast Weber, outstanding goaltending, and forward depth. The addition of Radulov from the KHL adds some instant offense to a deep top 6. The Wings aren't going to roll over and give this up without a fight. Detroit are the perennial cup contenders in large part to their experience and they set the standard for a cup champ. Biggest questionable factors for Motown are the man behind the mask Howard and a sub par (for Wings standards) defence. Lidstrom has enough gas left in the tank, but can he lead this team to the promised land once again?

If This Series Were A Movie It Would Be:

No Country For Old Men

Paq The Omnipotent Seer says:

Preds in 5


8 LA Kings


VS

1 Vancouver Canucks


Season Series:

Tied at 2

Why You Need To Be A Witness:

Vancouver are not the same team they were last year. GM Gillis tried to address the lack of truculence by adding Kassian (who is injured) and offense through Booth. I hope that the Canucks spent some time with a sports psychologist since they seriously lack that mental edge needed to hang with the Boston Bruins of the world. The Kings experienced a year of change and disruption. The biggest disruption coming in the form of young all-star Doughty's holdout. The change thanks to the acquisition of Richards and Carter. Quick is the bright spot on this club as he delivered a Vezina worthy performance all season.

If This Series Were A Movie It Would Be:

Frailty

Paq The Omnipotent Seer says:

Canucks in 7

-Paqman