Finally! The playoffs are here. Typically the first round is the most exciting, and this season really shouldn't be any different. The matchups are amazing, and in some cases too good. The Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks series is at the top of my list. The only thing that sucks about it, is that one of these juggernauts will be gone in the first round. My second pick (and not by much), is the Ottawa Senators vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have provided some of the best hockey I've seen this year (except for the Sabres and Habs....). Below are the matchups and the schedules for the first round (provided by Detroit's own Jeff) as well as my insight onto who wins, how many games, and playoff beards to look out for!

2007 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Series A - #1 Buffalo vs. #8 NY Islanders

Most have the Sabres pounding the life right out of the Islanders and wrapping this one up quick. I don't think that will be the case. The Islanders are riding some serious momentum entering the playoffs, and had to battle down to the final seconds of the season to make the playoffs. Islanders goaltender Wade Dubielewicz was also a big part of his clubs salvation and his continued solid play could provide that magical post season push. Does anyone else find it poetic that Ted Nolan's return to hockey and the playoffs comes against his former club? All that being said, this series has me hearing upset. However, the Sabres rock, and have rocked all season. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller should pick up where he left off last post season, as should the rest of the Sabres team. I do expect this to be a test for Buffalo, and if they think they can walk past the Islanders with little effort, they will be mistaken. Playoff Beard Watch: Buffalo: Ryan Miller, Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell. New York: Sean Hill, Wade Dubielewicz, Trent Hunter.

Bosh's Prediction: Sabres in 7 games.

Thu., April 12 8:00 p.m. at Buffalo TSN
Sat., April 14 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo VERSUS, TSN
Mon., April 16 7:30 p.m. at NY Islanders VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 18 7:30 p.m. at NY Islanders VERSUS, TSN
*Fri., April 20 7:00 p.m. at Buffalo VERSUS, TSN
*Sun., April 22 7:00 p.m. at NY Islanders VERSUS, TSN
*Tue., April 24 TBD at Buffalo TSN

Series B - #2 New Jersey vs. #7 Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the best lines in hockey consisting of Martin St. Louis, and 50 goal scorer (52 actually) Vincent Lecavalier, but come playoff time it doesn't really matter. The one thing they are lacking, and have lacked since they captured the Stanley Cup is goaltending. The Lightning can play Marc Denis and Johan Holmqvist in net silmultaneously and it won't matter. Tampa is going to lose to the New Jersey Devils. Even when things were going well, GM Lou Lamoriello saw room for improvement and made a coaching change. There is a fresh fire lit under them and desire to win yet another Stanley Cup. Oh yeah, they have Martin Brodeur in net, and I hear good things about him.Playoff Beard Watch: New Jersey: John Madden, Jay Pandolfo, Scott Gomez. Tampa Bay: Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards.

Bosh's Prediction: Devils in 5 games.

Thu., April 12 7:30 p.m. at New Jersey RDS
Sat., April 14 7:00 p.m. at New Jersey CBC, RDS
Mon., April 16 7:00 p.m. at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
Wed., April 18 7:00 p.m. at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
*Fri., April 20 7:00 p.m. at New Jersey CBC, RDS
*Sun., April 22 TBD at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
*Tue., April 24 TBD at New Jersey CBC, RDS

Series C - #3 Atlanta vs. #6 NY Rangers

This one was tough for me, but I have to go homer. The New York Rangers should take this series. Unlike last year, they come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league, led by the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist. Brendan Shanahan should add some veteran leadership that was also missing from last seasons playoffs. The Thrashers while riding a high after making their first playoffs and clinching a division title I believe will lack the experience to go much further. Granted their are some proven playoff winners and performers on the team, but the Thrashers pulse rests on the inexperienced Ilya Kovalchuk, Kari Lehtonen, and the playoff underachiever Marian Hossa.Playoff Beard Watch: Atlanta :Scott Melanby, Steve Rucchin, Greg DeVries. New York: Brendan Shanahan, Henrik Lundqvist.

Bosh's Prediction: Rangers in 6 games.

Thu., April 12 7:00 p.m. at Atlanta TSN
Sat., April 14 3:00 p.m. at Atlanta NBC, TSN
Tue., April 17 7:00 p.m. at NY Rangers TSN
Wed., April 18 7:00 p.m. at NY Rangers TSN
*Fri., April 20 TBD at Atlanta TSN
*Sun., April 22 1:00 p.m. at NY Rangers NBC, TSN
*Mon., April 23 7:00 p.m. at Atlanta VERSUS, TSN

Series D - #4 Ottawa vs. #5 Pittsburgh

Oh yeah the Eastern Conference's first round gem! This series should go the distance, and Bryan Murray you can play the lip service game all week, your team is not the underdog buddy. However they are going to lose. That's right, Bosh said again. Much to everyone's dismay the Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to be the cake-walk everyone thinks they will. I think they are goind to surprise quite a few teams this post-season, starting with Ottawa.Playoff Beard Watch: Ottawa: Dany Heatley, Ray Emery, Daniel Alfreddson (he will be sporting the Friesen). Pittsburgh: Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts.

Bosh's Prediction: Penguins in 7 games.

Wed., April 11 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sat., April 14 3:00 p.m. at Ottawa CBC, RDS, NBC
Sun., April 15 6:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tue., April 17 7:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thu., April 19 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa CBC, RDS, VERSUS
*Sun., April 22 1:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh NBC, CBC, RDS
*Tue., April 24 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa VERSUS, CBC, RDS

*if necessary

2007 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Series E - #1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary

This is going to be a massacre, and for two reasons. The Flames farted their way past the finish line, barely getting into the playoffs (in fact had the Avs not dropped that game to the Preds Saturday night, the Flames would be out). They ride a 4 game losing streak going into their post season affair with the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are not going to allow another early playoff dissappointment, and unfortunately for Calgary, they are going to be well motivated. This one is going to be over quickPlayoff Beard Watch: Detroit: Henrik Zetterberg, Matthieu Schneider, Chris Chelios, Todd Bertuzzi. Calgary Flames: they won't have time to grow beards.

Bosh's Prediction: Red Wings in 4 games.

Thu., April 12 7:00 p.m. at Detroit VERSUS, CBC
Sun., April 15 1:00 p.m. at Detroit NBC, CBC
Tue., April 17 10:00 p.m. at Calgary CBC, VERSUS
Thu., April 19 TBD at Calgary CBC, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21 3:00 p.m. at Detroit NBC, CBC
*Sun., April 22 TBD at Calgary CBC, VERSUS
*Tue., April 24 TBD at Detroit CBC, VERSUS

Series F - #2 Anaheim vs. #7 Minnesota

I think the Anaheim Ducks are going to find out that regular season success doesn't necessarily translate into post season victories. Allow me to introduce my first round upset. The Minnesota Wild have been hotter than hot down the stretch and look like a team that may make a big run during the playoffs. Even Anaheim's towers on defense of Chris Pronger and playoff beard jedi master Scott Niedermayer will have difficulty stopping the speedy forwards of the Wild. Expect the Wild to make some noise similiar to the last time they were in the post season.Playoff Beard Watch: Anaheim: Jean Sebastien Giguere, Scott Niedermayer, Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf. New York: Nicklas Backstrom, Pavol Demitra, Brian Rolston.

Bosh's Prediction: Wild in 6 games.

Wed., April 11 10:30 p.m. at Anaheim TSN
Fri., April 13 10:30 p.m. at Anaheim TSN
Sun., April 15 8:00 p.m. at Minnesota TSN
Tue., April 17 9:00 p.m. at Minnesota TSN
*Thu., April 19 10:30 p.m. at Anaheim TSN
*Sat., April 21 TBD at Minnesota TSN
*Mon., April 23 10:00 p.m. at Anaheim TSN

Series G - #3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas

Roberto, enjoy your first playoff experience, it may be a short one. While Luongo has certainly provided the promised stability between the pipes that the Vancouver Canucks desired for so long, I think they are going to fall short in the playoffs. One reason is goaltender Roberto Luongo's playoff inexperience. The big reason? Turco! Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco who has been a perrenial playoff flop is going to finally rise to the occassion this year. Unfortunately Canucks fans, your team will have to be the first of many stepping stones Marty will saunter across in order to capture his Stanley Cup Trophy.Playoff Beard Watch: Vancouver: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo. Dallas: Sergei Zubov, Marty Turco, Brendan Morrow.

Bosh's Prediction: Dallas in 6 games.

Wed., April 11 10:00 p.m. at Vancouver CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Fri., April 13 9:00 p.m. at Vancouver CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sun., April 15 9:30 p.m. at Dallas VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tue., April 17 8:00 p.m. at Dallas CBC, RDS (JIP)
*Thu., April 19 TBD at Vancouver CBC, RDS, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21 8:00 p.m. at Dallas VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Mon., April 23 TBD at Vancouver CBC, RDS, VERSUS

Series H - #4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose

This has to be the toughest series to call, and as I said earlier the most dissappointing because we are going to wave goodbye to one of these teams. They are separated only by 3 regular season points and both are tied with the most wins in the West with 51. So who will take the series? Nashville. In the words of the Sherminator "It was just my time boys." It certainly was, and now it is Nashville's time. The Predators have been quietly building towards this all season, and their acquisition of Peter Forsberg will prove to be a blockbuster much to the dismay of the San Jose Sharks. Make no mistake this series will be a bloodbath, and unfortunatley the victor may not go much further after this round, but this matchup is going to be epic. Playoff Beard Watch: Nashville: Peter Forsberg, Tomas Vokoun. San Jose: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau.

Bosh's Prediction: Predators in 7 games.

Wed., April 11 8:00 p.m. at Nashville TSN
Fri., April 13 8:00 p.m. at Nashville TSN
Mon., April 16 10:00 p.m. at San Jose VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 18 10:00 p.m. at San Jose VERSUS, TSN
*Fri., April 20 9:00 p.m. at Nashville VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sun., April 22 10:00 p.m. at San Jose VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Tue., April 24 TBD at Nashville VERSUS, TSN

*if necessary

Ok, there you have it! Right now you many of you are thinking, "Bosh, are you trying to alienate all of your Canadian fans?" Of course not. For you newcomers, there is a little something at Playoff Beard.com we like to call the Captain's Curse. Essentially, when I throw my support or well-wishes behind a team or player..... that team loses, and that player either succumbs to an injury or goes on a month long scoring drought. That being said, my picks could be viewed as votes of confidence, because if I have picked against your favorite team, chances are I have guaranteed them victory. Sorry Sabres fans!

Games of the Night:
Pittsburgh at Ottawa 7:00 PM
San Jose at Nashville 8:00 PM
Dallas at Vancouver 10:00 PM
Minnesota at Anaheim 10:30 PM

You get them all! A predominantly Western Conference evening, with a little Sens/Pens as an appetizer. I love this sport! Enjoy the games my friends!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh