The ADD Show is here to cover the first round of the NHL playoffs because…well, no one else will. Dave and Jeff break down the quarterfinal matchups. Check out the podcast of our our conversation or go to the podcasts page. For what it’s worth I submitted my picks to Donald Brashear’s official website which not only features a cartoon likeness that makes him look like a character from the animated Mighty Ducks, but apparently has a $500 grand prize as well. But I would be surprised if anyone picked it accurately seeing as how he doesn’t have the second round matched up correctly.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Montreal Canadiens versus 8. Boston Bruins

Dave: Despite the fact that it looks like Patrice Bergeron could return this series, Boston might not even win a game here. Tim Thomas has been a welcomed surprise in Beantown but Montreal just owns this team. He’ll need more help than is available to him. MONTREAL in 4

Jeff: For me, from looking at the season series (8-0 for the Habs), the Canadians have dominated in every aspect of the game against the Bruins. I look for young netminder Carey Price and scorer Alexei Kovalev to lead the way over the Bruins in 5 games. MONTREAL in 5

2. Pittsburgh Penguins versus 7. Ottawa Senators

Dave: Yes, Marc-Andre Fleury has done well lately. Yes, it appears that Sidney Crosby’s ankle doesn’t hurt when he doesn’t have to face the Flyers. And yes, Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher are out for “weeks“. But Ottawa always plays well in the playoffs and with the added veteran leadership of Cory Stillman, and the power of Spezza and Heatley, the Sens have a shot. OTTAWA in 6

Jeff: The key matchup in this series will be the pens penalty kill against the senators’ power play. If the Pens can stay out of the box, look for their explosive offense to destroy an Alfredsson-less Senators team. PITTSBURGH in 6

3. Washington Capitals versus 6. Philadelphia Flyers

Dave: Despite entering the playoffs on back-to-back shutouts, Marty Biron and the Flyers will be underdogs. The Capitals have won 11 of 12. Cristobal Huet is playing great hockey. But the Flyers are such a deep team and if they take the effort to shut down Alexander Ovechkin’s game (far easier said than done), Washington doesn’t have much depth. PHILADELPHIA in 6

Jeff: Player of the Year, Alex Ovechkin will have to play an incredible role for his Capitals team if they are going to go anywhere in the playoffs. A fire has sparked under this young and talented Capitals team that picked up tested-veteran Sergei Federov and goaltender Christobal Huet at the trade deadline. I see Ovechkin continuing his dominance into the second round. WASHINGTON in 6

4. New Jersey Devils versus 5. New York Rangers

Dave: Despite having the ultimate playoff weapon in Martin Brodeur, the Devils lost –count em’– SEVEN times to the Rangers in the regular season. With the Rangers holding on for a playoff spot in the last couple weeks of the season, Chris Drury came up big and he will continue to lead the Blueshirts. NEW YORK in 6

Jeff: Can’t they just both lose? We can only hope that they will beat the living crap out of each other, whoever comes out on top. Marty Brodeur is one of the best goaltenders of all time for a reason. NEW JERSEY in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Detroit Red Wings versus 8. Nashville Predators

Dave: I hear brooms are on sale in Detroit. It’s impressive that the Preds made it to the post-season, mostly on the shoulders of goalie Dan Ellis. But this Detroit defense won’t allow many shots, and those that aren’t stopped by Rafalski and Lidstrom will surely be stopped by the stellar goaltending of Hasek or Osgood. DETROIT in 4

Jeff: The Red Wings ended up with the best record in the NHL this season for a reason. Behind Norris Trophy Winner (again…and again) Nicky Lidstrom, this veteran team should be able to dispose of the Predators pretty fast. But, if history tells anything, they wont. But, I’ll say Wings fans will be waving their brooms around after Game 4. DETROIT in 4

2. San Jose Sharks versus 7. Calgary Flames

Dave: This San Jose Sharks team is so physical and so deep in terms of their scoring ability. If somehow Calgary’s defense (which aside from Dion Phaneuf isn’t anything special) finds a way to hinder the play of Joe Thornton, he’ll still have help. The Flames have some offense too, but not enough. Plus Calgary has Jim Vandermeer. That’s like killing a penalty every time. SAN JOSE in 6

Jeff: Great matchups all around. Kiprusoff against Nabakov. Iginla against Thornton. This should be a very entertaining series. But, San Jose is probably the hottest team coming into the playoffs right now. SAN JOSE in 6

3. Minnesota Wild versus 6. Colorado Avalanche

Dave: I’m still scratching my head as to how Minnesota won this division. They’re really not that deep offensively besides Brian Rolston and Marian Gaborik. The Av’s have so much chemistry and re-united a core group that won a cup in 2000-01. COLORADO in 6 (I think I exaggerated in the podcast when I said 5)

Jeff:Colorado is having a Cup Reunion Tour with the help of Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote. Bourque…Are you in for one more go-around? Veteran leadership should play a role in the Avs’ victory. Minnesota takes the series the distance before falling to Colorado. COLORADO in 7

4. Anaheim Ducks versus 5. Dallas Stars

Dave: Oh man, this is going to be a great series. Despite the re-uniting of last year’s Cup winning team, I think Dallas pulls this one out in a hard fought long series. I see Brad Richards really coming out strong for the Stars and Marty Turco finally succeeding in the playoffs. ANAHEIM in 7

Jeff: Best series of the first round. Hands down. This one should have it all. Drama, goals, great saves, physical play, and Snoop Dogg. With Sergei Zubov, Dallas would have my vote to come out on top, but without him, forget it. ANAHEIM in 7