Dr. Dap's 2012 NHL Playoff Predictions

It all comes down to this. A four-round, best-of-seven, free-for-all in the postseason of the NHL. All these teams who worked tirelessly all year to get their seeding finally get to show their real grit on the biggest stage this side of the Olympics.

Two Conferences. Eight Teams. One Winner. Here's the Clinics personal predictions of the entire 2012 NHL postseason.



Eastern Conference


First Round


#1 New York Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa Senators - Rangers in six.
#2 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Washington Capitals - Bruins in seven.
#3 Florida Panthers vs. #6 New Jersey Devils - Devils in five.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers - Penguins in seven.

Second Round


New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils - Rangers in six.
Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins in seven.

Third Round


New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins in five.

Eastern Conference Champion: Pittsburgh Penguins

Western Conference


First Round


#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings - Canucks in four.
#2 St. Louis Blues vs. #7 San Jose Sharks - Blues in five.
#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #6 Chicago Blackhawks - Blackhawks in six.
#4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings - Predators in five.

Second Round


Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks in seven.
St. Louis Blues vs. Nashville Predators - Predators in six.

Third Round


Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators - Canucks in five.

Western Conference Champion: Vancouver Canucks

Stanley Cup Finals


Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Game 1: VAN 4 - PIT 2
Game 2: VAN 3 - PIT 4
Game 3: VAN 2 - PIT 1 (OT)
Game 4: VAN 1 - PIT 0
Game 5: VAN 3 - PIT 2

Stanley Cup Champion: Vancouver Canucks in five games.

There you have it. All you crazy rioters in Vancouver will have your day of reckoning finally. But please, for everyone's sake, don't break anything.

I know this is a long shot from my earlier predictions where I had Los Angeles beating Washington in the Finals (ha), but hey, it's a long season. A lot happens. It was a very turbulent season in the NHL, and I predict the Playoffs are going to have a lot of fireworks. Let's all hope for an awesome showing for all the teams participating and may the best team win.

Knibb High Football Rules!