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Henrik Lundqvist's play will be in the spotlight as the NY Rangers enter the Stanley Cup playoffs as the East's top seed.
The wait is finally over.
The NHL took three full days off following the conclusion of the regular season, but on Wednesday night the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs get underway, with the Flyers at th e Penguins, the Red Wings at the Predators and the Kings at the Canucks.
What better way to prepare for the Rangers' run at the Cup and a flood of intense playoff hockey than to build our postseason Power Rankings and pick our winners all the way through the Finals?
Check out our picks:
1. St. Louis Blues (No. 2 in West, 109 points, Central Division champions)
Still the most imposing forecheck I've witnessed in person this season, and they win no matter who's in net.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 4 in East, 108 points)
If they're healthy late in the playoffs, Pittsburgh is the team to beat (looking at you, Kris Letang).
3. Rangers (No. 1 in East, 109 points, Atlantic Division champions)
The two primary factors that will dictate how far New York advances: the power play and Henrik Lundqvist.
4. Vancouver Canucks (No. 1 in West, 111 points, Northwest Division champions, Presidents' Trophy winners)
Hopefully if the Canucks get back to the Finals, we can keep those riots to a minimum.
5. Boston Bruins (No. 2 in East, 102 points, Northeast Division champions)
Defending Stanley Cup champions always a threat.
6. Nashville Predators (No. 4 in West, 104 points)
Similar to the Rangers and Bruins, the Preds play a physical style suited to the postseason and have an elite goaltender in Pekka Rinne.
7. New Jersey Devils (No. 6 in East, 102 points)
The biggest sleeper of the playoffs. A second-round series with the Rangers would be a war.
8. Philadelphia Flyers (No. 5 in East, 103 points)
Philly's got skills, but they've also got the Penguins in round one.
9. Detroit Red Wings (No. 5 in West, 102 points)
Tons of experience and talent, but not physical e nough. Too much all-or-nothing. Can't win on the road.
10. Chicago Blackhawks (No. 6 in West, 101 points)
United Center is a tough building to play in, which is why Vancouver's home-ice advantage in the second round will be huge, in addition to its advantage in net.
11. Ottawa Senators (No. 8 in East, 92 points)
A dangerous sleeper but, unlike the Devils, Ottawa tends to hemorrhage goals.
12. Phoenix Coyotes (No. 3 in West, 97 points, Pacific Division champions)
Winning the division a huge accomplishment for Don Maloney's club amid swirling rumors or relocation. Now when do the Arizona Cardinals start playing?
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