The NHL’s playoffs are upon us, and after a highly competitive regular season marked by never-before-seen parity, it’s shaping up to be a wide-open race to the Stanley Cup.

When the season began, we predicted that the San Jose Sharks would defeat the Rangers in the Cup Finals. And after 1,230 regular season games, we’re sticking with that long-ago prognostication. Here’s a look at what to expect in each of the eight first-round series, followed by predictions for the interim rounds and the NHL’s annual regular season awards.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Canadiens vs. (8) Bruins

The Habs boast the NHL’s top power play, led by dynamic forward Alexei Kovalev and coolheaded quarterback Andrei Markov. Captain Saku Koivu missed the end of the regular season with a foot fracture and is listed as “doubtful,” but hard-hitting rearguard Mike Komisarek (hip) has been cleared to play, which should make life in the crease much easier for rookie netminder Carey Price.

On the other side of the ice, the Bruins have battled their way back to the postseason by buying into head coach Claude Julien’s stifling defensive system. Playmaking center Marc Savard has been the key to the Bruins’ offense, and dynamic pivot Patrice Bergeron (concussion) has finally been cleared for action. Hulking defenseman Zdeno Chara is the biggest difference-maker for Boston.

Prediction: Canadiens in six

(2) Penguins vs. (7) Senators

From young stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Ryan Whitney to veterans Marian Hossa and Sergei Gonchar, the Pens’ power play is fearsome. Meanwhile, smashmouth rearguard Brooks Orpik and lightning-fast netminder Marc-Andre Fleury combine to make the Pens’ underrated defense formidable in its own right.

The defending Eastern Conference champions wouldn’t have reached the postseason without a 15–2 start. Their top line (captain Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza) is stellar, and netminder Martin Gerber’s has been quite solid, but this team is primed for a first-round exit.

Prediction: Penguins in five

(3) Capitals vs. (6) Flyers

Alexander Ovechkin led the Caps with 65 goals and 112 points, and was the first NHLer to top the 60-goal mark since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr did so back in 1995–96. But he couldn’t carry the team to the postseason on his own, and it turned out to be deadline day acquisition Cristobal Huet (11–2, .936 SV%, 1.63 GAA) who turned Washington’s season around.

The NHL’s worst overall team last season, the Flyers engaged in a rapid and effective rebuilding effort. Free agent signee Daniel Briere scored 72 points in 79 games this season, and young forward Mike Richards enjoyed a breakout year, leading the team with 75 points in 73 games (plus-14).

Prediction: Capitals in seven

(4) Devils vs. (5) Rangers

Arguably the finest netminder in NHL history, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur’s consistency is as impressive as his athleticism and acrobatic ability. But the rest of the lineup does not match up favorably against the Rangers, and unless Patrik Elias and Zach Parise catch fire, this could be a very short series in the Rangers’ favor.

For the Rangers, Jaromir Jagr played well down the stretch, and Chris Drury is one of the NHL’s top big-game performers. That former Devil Scott Gomez is suiting up for the Rangers is also a huge key, and if Henrik Lundqvist can match Brodeur save-for-save, the Blueshirts’ superior talent and depth gives them a significant edge.

Prediction: Rangers in six

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Red Wings vs. (8) Predators

The President’s Trophy winners have too much firepower for their division rivals from Music City to handle. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk pace the potent offense, while former Devil Brian Rafalski runs the power play point alongside Norris Trophy favorite Nicklas Lidstrom. The Wings are hoping that 43-year-old veteran Dominik Hasek has a few more dominating performances left in the tank.

It’s been a wild season for the Preds, whose future in Nashville was far more uncertain in October than it is today. Power center Jason Arnott paces the offense, while goaltender Dan Ellis vastly outplayed Chris Mason to take over the starting job with a leaguebest .924 SV%.

Prediction: Wings in five

(2) Sharks vs. (7) Flames

Trade deadline acquisition Brian Campbell provided the spark that spurred the Sharks to a 16–2–2 record down the stretch, while playmaking center Joe Thornton led the team with 96 points. If there’s a question mark here, it’s whether Evgeni Nabokov will be worn down after starting 77 of the Sharks’ 82 games, by far a career high.

Flames captain Jarome Iginla is a hard-hitting power forward who impacts games with both his offensive skill (50 goals, 98 points) and his strong physical play. Bruising blueliner Dion Phaneuf boasts tremendous offensive skill (60 points in 82 games). Netminder Miikka Kiprusoff’s play improved significantly as the season progressed, a good sign for the Flames’ Cup hopes.

Prediction: Sharks in Seven

(3) Wild vs. (6) Avalanche

Dynamic winger Marian Gaborik led the Wild with 42 goals and 83 points, and most importantly, appears to have put the injury bug behind him. On the Wild blue line, young Brent Burns took another huge step forward with his game, posting franchise records (for defensemen) in goals (15), assists (28), and points (43), while netminder Niklas Backstrom proved that his stellar rookie campaign was no fluke.

Just as Joe Sakic supplanted Peter Stastny as the franchise’s go-to offensive force 20 years ago, this year Peter’s son took the mantle from Sakic. Stastny led the Avs with 71 points in 66 games, while posting a team-best plus-22 rating. And in goal, one of the NHL’s biggest surprise stories has been the re-emergence of former Hart Trophy winner Jose Theodore.

Prediction: Avs in six

(4) Ducks vs. (5) Stars

With Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne back in the fold, the defending Cup champion Ducks are looking quite dangerous. Ryan Getzlaf took another huge leap forward with his game this year, scoring 82 points in 77 games to go along with a team-leading plus-32 rating. The Ducks’ defense is the NHL’s finest, and netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere put together yet another Vezina Trophy-caliber season (.922 SV%, 2.12 GAA, 35–17–6).

Mike Ribeiro is the Stars’ top scorer, while captain Brenden Morrow (32 goals) and trade deadline acquisition Brad Richards (11 points in 12 games) provide valuable support. But Sergei Zubov likely won’t be available for the start of the playoffs, and without him stabilizing the blue line, this will be a tough series for netminder Marty Turco.

Prediction: Ducks in four

Mr. Greenstein is the editor-in-chief of InsideHockey.com