The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are now officially under way, and there are several intriguing matchups in the opening round. NBC analysts Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury take a look at the first round battles and break down which teams will advance, which players could break out in the postseason and more.

SERIES BY SERIES PREDICTIONS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
Predictions:
Pierre - Montreal in 6.
Mike - Montreal in 5.
The skinny:
Pierre - Montreal's speed, skill and special teams will dominate the series.
Mike - There's too much offense for Boston to contend with. They don't have enough weapons, but they'll make it difficult.
X-factors:
Pierre - Alex Kovalev and Zdeno Chara.
Mike - Montreal's power play.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Predictions:
Pierre - Penguins in 6.
Mike - Penguins in 4
The skinny:
Pierre - Ottawa has too many injuries. It's time for the Pens to fly.
Mike - I have no idea what's happening with the Ottawa Senators, but it's nothing good.
X-factors:
Pierre - Evgeni Malkin, Chris Phillips.
Mike - Ottawa's goaltending won't hold up, and Pittsburgh's offense is just too much to handle.

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
Predictions:
Pierre - Capitals in 7.
Mike - Capitals in 6.
The skinny:
Pierre - This will be one of the most physical matchups in the playoffs. Ovechkin will be huge.
Mike - It's going to be another chance for Ovechkin to shine, and I think he will.
X-factors:
Pierre - Sergei Fedorov, Braydon Coburn.
Mike - Philadelphia's goaltending. If it holds up, the series could go another way.

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers
Predictions:
Pierre - Rangers in 7.
Mike - Rangers in 6.
The skinny:
Pierre - This will be a low scoring series. The Rangers' offensive depth will overcome the Devils' balanced defense.
Mike - This will be a very even matchup, defensive-oriented, a lot of overtime, but I think the Rangers have just enough offense to win it.
X-factors:
Pierre - Patrik Elias, Sean Avery.
Mike - Marty Brodeur - who knows?

WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators
Predictions:
Pierre - Red Wings in 7.
Mike - Red Wings in 6
The skinny:
Pierre - The young Nashville defense will have to be physical.
Mike - This seres has the biggest potential for an upset. Detroit isn't exactly smoking along. Their goaltending isn't great, but they still finished with 107 points and should win.
X-factors:
Pierre - Johan Franzen, Matin Erat.
Mike - Detroit goaltending - if it doesn't straighten out, it could be the door-opener for Nashville.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames
Predictions:
Pierre - Sharks in 6.
Mike - Sharks in 5.
The skinny:
Pierre - Like the Washington-Philly series this could become very violent and physical content will be a factor. It will be (Jarome) Iginla vs. (Joe) Thornton, but Thornton has more support.
Mike - There will just be too much for the Flames to handle.
X-factors:
Pierre - Mike Grier, Daymond Langkow.
Mike - It comes back to goaltending. If (Mikka) Kiprusoff goes crazy, anything can happen.

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche
Predictions:
Pierre - Avalanche in 6.
Mike - Wild in 7.
The skinny:
Pierre - It's the young Wild vs. the aging Avalance.
Mike - Minnesota's team defense is pretty good. It could go the other way, but I'll take Minnesota.
X-factors:
Pierre - Brent Burns, Ian Laperriere.
Mike - Peter Forsebrg.

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars
Predictions:
Pierre - Ducks in 6.
Mike - Ducks in 6.
The skinny:
Pierre - This one will feature great goaltending. The (Chris) Pronger, (Scott) Niedermayer will be too much for the Stars.
Mike - Despite the lack of rhythm this season, I think the Ducks will put it together to win.
X-factors:
Pierre - Todd Bertuzzi, Brenden Morrow.
Mike - If Brad Richards can awaken from this slumber he'll make a difference.

OVERALL PREDICTIONS
Breakout player of the playoffs:
Pierre - The Rangers' Brandon Dubinsky and the Red Wings' Johan Franzen.
Mike - The Sharks' Jonathan Cheechoo.
Eastern Conference winner:
Mike - Pittsburgh because of their overwhelming offense and (Marc-Andre) Fleury seems to have found a way to win games.
Western Conference winner:
Mike - San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Final winner:
Mike - San Jose Sharks - it's just their time.
Stanley Cup Final MVP:
Mike - The Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov

MORE FROM NHL

NHL Section Front

Crosby pointless again as Pens fall to Bruins Perron has hat trick, paces Blues' rout of Canucks Boyle's late goal lifts Sharks over Predators NHL GMs keep trapezoid, will discuss headshots Sabres F Mair clears waivers, to stay in Buffalo Breaking down the perfect NHL player Live odds Matchups/Injuries Vote: Who will win the Stanley Cup? Rotoworld: Latest NHL player news, rumors, more NHL Section Front   Add NHL headlines to your news reader: