If the Stanley Cup playoffs started today...

If the NHL playoffs started today:

Boston v Buffalo, Washington v Rangers, New Jersey v Florida, Philadelphia v Montreal. San Jose v Dallas, Detroit v Minnesota, Calgary v Columbus, Chicago v Vancouver.


However:
If they went to a bracket format (1-16), it would look like this:

Sharks/Penguins, Bruins/Blue Jackets, Red Wings/Hurricanes, Capitals/Sabres, Devils/Rangers, Flames/Panthers, Blackhawks/Canucks, Flyers/Canadiens.

Call me crazy, but I think that's more interesting.
You've got the best team in the league going against Sid the kid.
The Bruins get an easy road to the 2nd round with the untested Jackets.
The Wings and Canes meet up in a rematch of their 2002 Finals appearance.
The Caps and Sabres would be a great series to watch.
The Devils and Rangers would get great ratings in the NY area.
The Flames and Panthers would be an interesting dynamic, although terrible on the teams for travel.
The Hawks would battle Luongo and the Nucks.
And my Flyers would sweep the Habbies on their Centennial. Haha.

Second round predictions to come!