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:

Canucks vs Predators - NHL Playoffs - Western Conference Semi-Final

This is it! 1,230 games have been completed and the 2nd season begins. 16 teams participate and 1 will hoist the most coveted trophy in professional sports: the Stanley Cup. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and P&B will be your round by round guide.

(Photo via sports.yahoo.com)

1

VS

5

2011 Season Series:

Tied at 2

What's the Story?:

Nashville is the only team in the West to take out a higher seed in the first round. They knocked the top heavy 4th seeded Ducks in 6 games and accomplished a franchise first: won a playoff series.

Where Legends are Made : NHL Playoffs - Western Conference - Round 1

This is it! 1,230 games have passed and the 2nd season begins. 16 teams participate and 1 will hoist the most coveted trophy in professional sports: the Stanley Cup. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and P&B will be your round by round guide.

(Photo via canucksarmy.com)

1   

VS

8

2011 Season Series:

Tied at 2-2

What's the story?:

Like the Rangers in the East, the Blackhawks benefited from a team's loss to slip into the final playoff spot.

Quick Shot Predictions for the Western Conference - NHL PLayoffs - Round 1

My full post for the Western Conference isn't ready yet, so I'm giving you my predictions very quickly in this post since the playoffs start tonight.

Don't want y'all to think that I'm cheating on my predictions by letting a full day of action pass by! ;)

1-Canucks vs 8-Blackhawks

Canucks win in 5

2-Sharks vs 7-Kings

Sharks win in 7

3-Red Wings vs 6-Coyotes

Upset! Coyotes win in 7

4-Ducks vs 5-Predators

Ducks win in 5

The complete Round 1 post for the West will be ready tomorrow.

-Paqman