NBA/NHL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

So, I'm behind on the whole predictions thing, since the NHL playoffs have already been going on for a couple days. But, to hell with it, I'll give my predictions anyway.

First, the NBA playoffs. I'll only comment on series if I feel more analysis is needed (some are pretty self-explanatory- shockingly, I think the Warriors will beat the Rockets easily, for example). Let's go.

First Round

E1 Cleveland Cavaliers over E8 Detroit Pistons (4 games)

E5 Boston Celtics over E4 Atlanta Hawks (7 games)

These teams are pretty even, but I'll take the Celtics due to more wild cards on the court compared to the Hawks (and I think the Celtics will be more physical).

E3 Miami Heat over E6 Charlotte Hornets (6 games)

The Heat are a weird team, and the Hornets are not bad. But I think the Heat just have more good players compared to the Hornets.

E2 Toronto Raptors over E7 Indiana Pacers (6 games)

W2 San Antonio Spurs over W7 Memphis Grizzlies (4 games)

W3 Oklahoma City Thunder over W6 Dallas Mavericks (5 games)

W4 Los Angeles Clippers over W5 Portland Trail Blazers (6 games)

This is a tough one, but I really think that the Clippers are top heavy enough to give the Blazers guff. But then again, I could also seriously see this series shaking out in the reverse.

W1 Golden State Warriors over W8 Houston Rockets (4 games)

Second Round

E1 Cleveland Cavaliers over E5 Boston Celtics (6 games)

E2 Toronto Raptors over E3 Miami Heat (6 games)

W2 San Antonio Spurs over W3 Oklahoma City Thunder (6 games)

W1 Golden State Warriors over W4 Los Angeles Clippers (5 games)

Conference Championships

E1 Cleveland Cavaliers over E2 Toronto Raptors (6 games)

W1 Golden State Warriors over San Antonio Spurs (7 games)

You know how some years one of the Conference Final series is considered the actual NBA Finals? Yeah, this is one of those years. I'm so friggin' pumped for a series like this, and I so desperately want it to go seven games. I think the Warriors would come out on top, but whoever wins this series will win the NBA title.

NBA Finals

W1 Golden State Warriors over E1 Cleveland Cavaliers (4 games)

Yeah, the Warriors are that good. If the Spurs make it to the Finals, it'll also be a four-game series.

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Now let's go over the NHL playoffs.

First Round

C1 Dallas Stars over W2 Minnesota Wild (4 games)

C2 St. Louis Blues over C3 Chicago Blackhawks (7 games)

P2 Los Angeles Kings over P3 San Jose Sharks (7 games)

P1 Anaheim Ducks over W1 Nashville Predators (6 games)

W1 New York Islanders over A1 Florida Panthers (6 games)

A2 Tampa Bay Lightning over A3 Detroit Red Wings (7 games)

M2 Pittsburgh Penguins over M3 New York Rangers (5 games)

M1 Washington Capitals over W2 Philadelphia Flyers (4 games)

Second Round

C1 Dallas Stars over C2 St. Louis Blues (7 games)

P2 Los Angeles Kings over P1 Anaheim Ducks (7 games)

W1 New York Islanders over A2 Tampa Bay Lightning (6 games)

This series is predicated entirely on whether or not Steven Stamkos can play in it. If he can, then the Lightning have a fighting shot. If he can't, I think they'll be competitive, but will ultimately lose. Personally, I think it'll shake out like this.

M1 Washington Capitals over M2 Pittsburgh Penguins (7 games)

This should be a fun, fun series, with both of these teams featuring top-tier offenses and goaltending. They're very evenly matched, and I think it'll take the full seven games, but I think the Capitals will just squeak by.

Conference Championships

P2 Los Angeles Kings over C1 Dallas Stars (6 games)

M1 Washington Capitals over W1 New York Islanders (6 games)

Stanley Cup Final

P2 Los Angeles Kings over M1 Washington Capitals (7 games)

Another possibly fun match-up and another tough choice. I'll go with the Kings based on their awesome defense (third in the NHL this season in goals allowed). I think they could neutralize the Capitals' offense (or, at the very least, they're the team that has the best shot of doing so).

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