For my first blog ever on CBS Sports I'm going to stick with my roots and my number one passion. Hockey.

I'm not sure how many Americans will be drawn towards this first entry because of the lack of televised games on a Nationwide network like ESPN which leads to less highlight time on Sportscentre (yes in Canada we spell it "re"), and that leads to less interest. But to tell you the truth, I couldn't care less.

So without further ado- The NHL Playoffs, and a thought about the seeding.....

The NHL playoffs have been probably my favourite time of year since I was 5, and every year I enjoy the heartbreak, and trauma of being a Leaf fan, whether they're in or not. But there is one thing that needs fixing now more then ever. The seeding.

The seeding for the playoffs go like this: Each of the three division winners in each conference recieve a top three spot in their conference no matter how many points they earn in the regular season. The problem with this is, a team in a weak division (ahem...Southeast...ahem) can win that division with a .500 record and get a top 3 spot in the playoff seeding no matter what.

This year Carolina has 56 points right now, which is ninth in the east, but because they are leading their division they sit third ahead of teams with 63, 60, 59, 59, and 58 points.

Now don't get me wrong I understand that winning your division is an accomplishment, but to get a top three seed by beating sub .500 teams 8 times a year each is not worth getting a top three spot in either confeerence.

In the NBA division winners occupy three of the top four spots which isn't great either but it is atleast better than automatically getting a top three spot in the NHL.

Anyways thats just a thought from an Elf.

Now to my predictions. This is what I think will happen in the playoffs:

EAST

1. Ottawa

2. Philly

3. Carolina

4. Pittsburgh

5. Montreal

6. New Jersey

7. NY Rangers

8. Buffalo-Watch and See.

What will happen..... Ottawa will beat Buffalo in 7 games, Philly will beat the Rangers in 7 games, New Jersey will beat Carolina in 7 games, and Pittsburgh will beat Montreal in 7 games.

Round 2

Ottawa will beat New Jersey in 7 games

Philly will beat Pittsburgh in 7 games

EAST FINALS

Philly will beat Ottawa in 6 games

WEST

1. Detroit

2. San Jose

3. Minnesota

4. Anaheim

5. Dallas

6. Calgary

7. Colorado

8. Vancouver (will beat out St. Louis on last day)

What will happen..... Detroit will beat Vancouver in 6 games, San Jose will beat Colorado in 6 games, Calgary will beat Minnesota in 7 games, and Anaheim will beat Dallas in 6 games.

Round 2

Calgary will beat Detroit in 6 games

San Jose will beat Anaheim in 7 games

WEST FINALS

San Jose will beat Calgary in 6 games

NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS

THE SAN JOSE Sharks WILL BEAT THE PHILADELPHIA Flyers IN 5 GAMES

Conn Smythe: Nabokov

Thoughts?....

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

Heh Leafs3life, looks like it is time to recast the dice. Things have certainly changed a lot in the last little while. Plus I think just getting the top 8 seeds in each division is ambitious enough. Look at Philly now, are they working there way out of a play off spot?. Are washington and Buffalo working there way in? Remember the last couple of years how both Montreal and Boston looked good and ended up missing the play offs.

In the western side it is the same thing, Anaheim sky rocketing, San Jose looking a little vunerable., a real log Jam. This is what makes hockey great, a team that takes two weeks off can miss the play offs all together. The only other sport like that is Football.

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

I can't see the Flyers getting past the Habs. If Montreal completes a trade that gets them either Hossa or Havlat, that team will have one of the fastet, most talented 3 lines in the Eastern Division. If the Senators pick up the pace, they will be the team to beat, both for the Eastern Conference and Stanley cup champs. ( they need goaltending to do their part though, and the Habs have that X 2 )

I watched the Redwings play last week, and thought that they were the best team I've seen in the transition part of the game, bar none. Dallas has a great team, but I don't think they have the depth for a deep playoff run.

My predictions: Habs-Redwings with the Habs winning in 6 games.

Leafs4life

Thoughts from an Elf.....

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions

NHL Playoffs Seedings, and Predictions