I would like to begin by writing on how I think my team in the east (the Canadiens) will do in this years playoffs… I would like to but thanks to the stupid Leafs I don’t get to do this.
However, I can point and laugh at how the Islanders eliminated the Leafs by winning their final game of the season in a shootout. 
I have hopes that coverage of the Leafs will fall down to “normal” levels for a team that is yet again not in the post season, but we all know that TSN and CBC (Don Cherry in particular) will have a year in review, and a breakdown of what went wrong, and news flashes every time Darcy Tucker cries himself to sleep.
Enough about them, and I will say this to my canadiens: RE-SIGN SOURAY!
Dump Aebischer, you have Halak, Danis, and now Price waiting in the wings. Dump Niinimaa, too expensive for what he brought to the team this past season.
Playoff predictions:
Buffalo – NYI:
Winning their last 4 games with “Dubie” in net is a reason for hope.. but not when you look at the depth of the Buffalo lineup. Vanek (43 goals) and Afinogenov (61 points) were part of their third line and it only gets better from there as you move to the top line.
NYI – thank you for eliminating the Leafs, you will be joining them in 4 games.
NJ – Tampa Bay:
The best goalie in the game today vs the only team this season with two 100 point players.
While NJ doesn’t seem to have a lot of weapons, the balance is severely tipped by the presence of Brodeur in net. his ability to win games single handedly is enough to convince me that Richards and Lecavalier will be back playing X-Box 360 in no time.
NJ in 6
Atlanta – NY Rangers:
Congratulations Atlanta.. you made the playoffs for the first time ever! If you can find a way to keep Jagr from getting motivated to actually play hockey you have a chance. Lehtonen needs to be better but I think that Lundqvist will win the goalie duel. Plus I think Avery will draw far too many thrashers in to penalties that will cost them the series.
NY Rangers in 6.
Ottawa – Pittsburgh:
The most anticipated playoff series in the east sees the Ottawa “when will we win a playoff series” Senators vs the Sidney Penguins.This should be a high scoring affair, as I seriously doubt either team has a goalie that can lock the game down completely. I think this is the year for Ottawa, and I think they will win in rather convincing fashion over the really really young Penguins.
Senators in 5.
Well Alan nice predictions. I just want to say that it will be nice to Souray in the Oiler colors next year.
I hope the Habs re-sign Samsonov.
Samsonov has one year left in his contract, and will either be bought out or getting his “fresh start” he is hoping for this coming season as a member of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Seriously. the guy passed through waivers and nobody wanted him… where is this fresh start coming from??
Souray will likely not be back (from the tone and “reading between the lines” on comments made by him and the coaching staff), but if he has to go somewhere I hope it is to the Oilers.. they need his help badly.
and Souray is exactly the kind of guy Lowe should be (and likely is) hunting for.