2012 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

As is my custom every April, it's time for me to post my picks for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Last season, I came up a single game short of successfully predicting the Stanley Cup champion for the third year running, but compared to how my March Madness brackets have fared in recent years, I think I've got a pretty good track record with predicting the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

The sixteen playoff teams are seeded as follows:

Eastern Conference: 

1. New York Rangers (Atlantic Division Champion) - 109 points 
2. Boston Bruins (Northeast Division Champion) - 102
3. Florida Panthers (Southeast Division Champion) - 94 
4. Pittsburgh Penguins - 108 
5. Philadelphia Flyers - 103
6. New Jersey Devils - 102
7. Washington Capitals - 92
8. Ottawa Senators - 92

Western Conference: 

1. Vancouver Canucks (Northwest Division Champion) - 111
2. St. Louis Blues (Central Division Champion) - 109
3. Phoenix Coyotes (Pacific Division Champion) - 97
4. Nashville Predators - 104
5. Detroit Red Wings - 102
6. Chicago Blackhawks - 101
7. San Jose Sharks - 96
8. Los Angeles Kings - 95

A quick review of the playoff format for those playing along at home:

• Seeding is determined by total number of points earned in an 82-game season, with 2 points given for a win, and 1 point for a loss in overtime or a shootout.  Ties are broken by most non-shootout wins.  The three division champions in each conference are automatically seeded first through third. 
• The highest-seeded team in each conference plays the lowest-seeded team, the second-highest seed plays the second-lowest seed, and so on.  
• Each playoff series is best-of-seven, with the higher-seeded team hosting the first, second, fifth, and seventh games, and the lower-seeded team hosting the third, fourth, and sixth games.  
• The remaining playoff teams are re-seeded after each round.  
• Seeding in the Stanley Cup Final is based on most points, and is not affected by standing within either team's conference.  

And now, on to my picks.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: 
Rangers over Senators in 5 games
Bruins over Capitals in 4
Devils over Panthers in 5
Penguins over Flyers in 6

Western Conference Quarterfinals: 
Canucks over Kings in 6
Blues over Sharks in 5
Coyotes over Blackhawks in 7
Predators over Red Wings in 6

Eastern Conference Semifinals: 
Rangers over Devils in 6
Penguins over Bruins in 7

Western Conference Semifinals: 
Canucks over Predators in 6
Blues over Coyotes in 4  

Eastern Conference Finals: 
Penguins over Rangers in 5

Western Conference Finals: 
Blues over Canucks in 7

Stanley Cup Final: 
Penguins over Blues in 7 

As always, feel free to use the comments to question my rationale (in a civilized manner, please!) and/or make your own picks. 

Stay frosty, y'all, and GO PENS!  

B-)