After 82 taxing games, a fresh slate of ice is about to be dropped on 16 teams in the NHL as the league rings in the Stanley Cup playoffs on Wednesday.
There are several great matchups throughout the first round, but in the end there can only be one winner. Here are our round-by-round predictions, leading all the way to the Stanley Cup champion.
To view our in-depth picks, click for the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific.
Round 1
Atlantic
Panthers over Islanders in 7: This one could go either way, but veterans Jaromir Jagr and Cup-determined goaltender Roberto Luongo will help Florida's mostly young team get to Round 2.
Lightning over Red Wings in 7: Ben Bishop will stand on his head to help Tampa Bay overcome its myriad injuries and Detroit will fall just short in rallying behind the departing Pavel Datsyuk.
Metropolitan
Capitals over Flyers in 5: Philadelphia got hot at the right time, but there is nothing stopping this deep Washington unit in the first round, especially if Braden Holtby plays like he's capable of playing.
Penguins over Rangers in 7: Pittsburgh is the hottest team in the NHL after winning 14 of its final 16 games, but its first-round matchup won't be a cakewalk thanks to questions in the crease with the health of its goalies. The Rangers have been wildly inconsistent and with an already suspect defense lacking Ryan McDonagh, it'll be their Achilles heel.
Central
Stars over Wild in 5: This could very well be a sweep as a high-scoring Dallas team appears ready to walk all over a Minnesota team that lacks Zach Parise for at least Games 1 and 2, possibly more.
Blackhawks over Blues in 7: Hopefully the Blues can figure out how to make it out of the first round, but it doesn't bode well that they have to go against Hart Trophy favorite Patrick Kane and the battle-tested Blackhawks in Round 1.
Pacific
Ducks over Predators in 5: Anaheim has been on a tear since Christmas and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. With soaring special teams and a deep unit, the Ducks will advance with relative ease, despite Nashville's amazing blue line.
Kings over Sharks in 7: This will be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups in the first round as these two California rivals will engage in a very physical seven-game series. San Jose never seems able to solve Los Angeles and after blowing that 3-0 series lead against their rivals two years ago, there's no reason to give the Sharks the benefit of the doubt.
Round 2
Lightning over Panthers in 6: The battle of Florida will go to the banged-up Lightning as Bishop will once again stand tall in net and best the veteran Luongo as Jagr, 44, runs out of steam.
Capitals over Penguins in 7: Alex Ovechkin and his deep team will get the best of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, advancing to the third round for the first time since 1998.
Stars over Blackhawks in 6: All of the games logged by Chicago's core will finally get the better of it, as a goal-heavy Dallas team will skate by the defending champions and into the Western Conference Finals.
Ducks over Kings in 6: Los Angeles will hang tough with Anaheim, but will eventually falter to its California rival, which has been unstoppable in the second half.
Conference Finals
Capitals over Lightning in 5: Grinding away without its stars will finally hinder Tampa Bay as Washington pummels it to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Ducks over Stars in 6: In this tremendous battle between two Western Conference power houses, the Ducks will emerge victorious, but it won't be easy.
Stanley Cup Final
Ducks over Capitals in 7: This will be a round where both teams fight tooth-and-nail, but in the end, The Ducks will ride their veterans to a gritty seven-game victory as Ovechkin and Co. comes closer than ever to winning it all.
Conn Smythe: Ryan Kesler.
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