The NHL regular season is over, and on April 11th the most grueling playoffs in sports get underway. On the eve of two brutal months of thrilling action, here’s a look at how the playoffs set up with some 2012 NHL Stanley Cup predictions and analysis for the fight to get to the finals:

Best first-round series

This one is a no-brainer. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both very good teams. They also play in the same state. Oh yeah, they also hate each other more than any two other teams in the entire league.

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This isn’t a friendly rivalry. It’s a blood feud.

They played twice in the last week of the season. The second game was basically uneventful, but the first game was a war — brutal hits, a line brawl, coaches swearing at each other — it was crazy. Add in the playoff intensity, and the fact that either of these teams could win their conference if they win this series and you have the recipe for brilliance.

This is what playoff hockey is all about.

Toughest first-round opponent

The Vancouver Canucks won the President’s Trophy as the regular season champions. Their reward is the toughest first-round opponent of any higher seed.

The Kings were lousy in the first half of the season, but they have really found their stride. They have so much going for them heading into the playoffs. Their goaltending duo is as good as it gets. They are very deep and offensively talented, and they have strong two-way defensemen. Coach Darryl Sutter knows how to coach in the playoffs, and he took Calgary all the way to the finals in his first year with that team.

On top of all that, Vancouver could feel better about their goaltending right now, and star Daniel Sedin is hurrying to come back from a concussion.

This is far from an ideal matchup.

Second toughest first-round opponent

Heading into the season I picked the Capitals to win the President’s Trophy and the Stanley Cup. It wasn’t a stretch — they were favored to do both.

For a long time, though, it looked like they wouldn’t even make the playoffs. It was an ugly, ugly season, but they are playing better now — still not like they should be, but better.

Boston is their opponent, and they are the better team. If Washington can find even a hint of what they have the potential to be, though, then the Bruins could be in for a rough ride as they start off on the road to defending their title.

Most unheralded playoff team

The New Jersey Devils were virtually anonymous this year even though they cruised to 102 points. Overlooking them would be very dangerous.

They have a world of experience in the playoffs. They have a goalie that was built for spring hockey. They don’t care where they play — they have the same number of wins at home as on the road. They are a very hot 7-2-1 in their last 10 heading into the playoffs. They are well-coached.

They landed a very good first-round matchup in Florida — an upstart team with little playoff experience. New Jersey is poised to make some noise.

Hardest team to figure out

The Red Wings are always a factor in the playoffs. This year, though, it is harder than ever to know how to view them.

They limped into the playoffs at just 4-4-2 in their last 10. While all but unbeatable at home, they have been lousy on the road. Their goaltending is less inspiring than it has been, and their age is more of a concern than it has been.

They are the best-coached team in the league, and they know more about winning in the playoffs than anyone, but the warning lights are definitely on.

Least interesting opening-round matchup

The Rangers have the best record in the East, have played consistently well all year, have excellent goaltending, and are playing well right now. Ottawa was inconsistent down the stretch, they are playing above their heads, their goaltending is a real concern, and they could easily fall into the trap of just being happy to be here.

If the Rangers don’t win this one easily then they are not nearly the team they want us to believe they are.

Conference championships

I don’t have faith in the Canucks this year. They have all sorts of talent, but I just don’t trust them. I’m going to boldly pick them to lose in the first two rounds.

The conference finals in the West are going to feature St. Louis — deep, phenomenally talented defensively, outstanding goaltending, and very well coached. Their opponent is wide open, but I’m going to go with Chicago. They are quietly solid, they have playoff experience, and their top end talent is so good.

The Blues will win that series.

In the East I’ll stick relatively close to the chalk. I expect the Panthers to lose in the first round, and that means that the Penguins and Rangers can likely avoid each other until the conference championship.

New York has the ingredients to win two series. Pittsburgh has more than that. If Crosby can stay healthy then they are unmatched offensively, their goaltending is playoff proven, their coaching is strong, and they are playing well. They are the best team in the East and will win the conference.

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Predictions

You heard it here first — Pittsburgh will beat St. Louis to hoist the nicest trophy in sports. It will be a classic match of offense versus defense. St. Louis is potent, but Pittsburgh’s depth, experience, and explosiveness will just be too much to handle.

It will be a good series — not a great one, but a good one. This isn’t the most controversial pick I could have made — Pittsburgh is favored to win the Cup at 7/2 at Bovada. St. Louis is fourth overall, and second in the West behind Vancouver, at 15/2.

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