The 2009 NHL season turned out to be an exciting action packed one that will be remembered for years to come. Capitals left winger, Alexander Ovechkin, led the league in scoring for the second consecutive year and helped lead the Capitals to a second consecutive Southeast Division title and number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni  Malkin and Sidney Crosby helped spark a late playoff push and ended up clinching the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference finals. The emergence of new stars has only added depth to an even more talented to NHL roster. Now that the playoffs have started, teams need to stick together and prove that they can win in the heat of a playoff atmosphere.   The 2009 NHL playoffs should be an exciting display of young talent and the desire and drive it takes for teams to win it all. Here are the team-by-team outlooks for the Eastern Conference and top two match-ups in Western Conference and what these teams must do to win.

(1)   Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montréal Canadians- Last year, the Canadians were the number one seed and the Bruins were the number 8 seed and the Canadians defeated the Bruins. The Bruins were the top team in the Eastern conference this year much of which can be contributed to right winger Phil Kessel and center Marc Savard. Add Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi and Michael Rider to that mix and you have a solid first line. The leadership of goalie Tim Thomas has carried this team with his solid play in the net. This year, the Montreal Canadians just squeezed into the playoffs as the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference after last years number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Canadians, led by right winger, Alexei Kovalev, left winger Andrei Markov and goalie Carey Price. The Canadians must wear down Zdeno Chara and Phil Kessel. Also Montreal must take advantages on power play opportunities in order to win this series. Winner: (1) Boston Bruins in 5

(2)   Washington Capitals Vs. (7) New York Rangers- The Washington Capitals seem poised to make a deeper run than they did last year. In addition to the marvelous play of Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Green, Niklaus Backstrom and Alexander Semin helped to lead a star studded roster in to the playoffs. The Capitals also had solid play from  veterans Viktor Kozluv, Sergei Federov, and Michael Nylander. The Capitals have a great chance to compete late in the playoffs but the factor that may hold them back from making a deep run in the post-season is the inconsistency issues with goaltender Jose Theodore. The Rangers, struggled their way into the playoffs. The Rangers had to overcome a lot of adversity when their head coach was fired with two weeks left in the season, but the Rangers responded by turning in a sub-par performance to slide in to the playoffs. The Rangers have a very good chance to pull off an upset as long as they shut down Ovechkin and Backstrom. Jose Theodore must not make mistakes if the Caps are to win this series. Winner: (7) New York Rangers

(3)   New Jersey Devils Vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes- The Devils are lead by their future hall of fame goalie Martin Brodeur. Brodeur is the heart and soul of this Devils team due to his demonation in the crease and his leadership in the clubhouse. The Devils are lead by Patrick Elias, Dainius Zubrus, Jamie Langenbrunner and Zack Parise. This talented group has been shaky at times but is a well-rounded team. The Hurricanes roared into the playoffs wanting to be heard. Led by their star players Eric Stall, Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu the Hurricanes finished the season very strong and have the potential to upset the Devils. The Canes must not let the Devils control the intensity and hits in this series if they look to defeat the Devils. Winner:  (3) Carolina Hurricanes in 6

(4)   Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers-This is a rematch of last  years Eastern Conference finals in which the Penguins won in 6 games. The Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead a proven but young Penguins squad that consists of a emerging stars such as:Jordan Staal, Petr Sykora, and goalie Marc Andrey-Fleury. The Flyers surprised the hockey world last year as they defeated the third seeded Capitals in 7 games in the first round and then knocked out the number 1 seed the Montreal Canadians in 5 games only to lose in the Eastern Conference Finals to their cross-town rivals. This all coming after having the worst record in the NHL the year before. The Flyers looked like the “Broad Street Bullies” as they ranked second in the NHL in penalties only to Anaheim Ducks and led the league in most short-handed goals. Flyers are led by Mike Richards, Joffrey Lupul, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Scottie Hartnell. Look for a ferocious series between these two powerhouse rivals. Winner: (4) Pittsburgh Penguins in 6.

(1) San Jose Sharks vs.   (8) Anaheim Ducks- The Sharks enter the playoffs with the best record in the NHL this year and finished 26 points ahead of the 8^th seeded Ducks. The Ducks added Ryan Whitney at this year’s trade deadline and the return of Francis Beauchemin help add great depth to a young defensive corp. that also includes Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf. The developing of a young talented line and the post-season success of goaltender Jean-Sebastian Guieggere show promise in pulling off an upset. The Sharks must not take Anaheim lightly and must get slid production from captain Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Chee-Choo. Even though the Sharks were dominant in the regular season I don’t see the advancing. Winner: (8)Anaheim Ducks in 5  

(2) Detroit Redwings vs. (7) Columbus Blue Jackets- The defending Stanley Cup champions have a very favorable first round matchup with the young Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets clinched their first playoff birth in their franchises young history this year by clinching the 7^th seed in the West. The problem is the redwings will outplay the Blue Jackets in almost every aspect of the game and will not have trouble with the young Jackets. Led by Nicklaus Lindstrom Nicklaus Kronwall and Brad Stuart should tear the wall down on Blue Jackets rookie sensation goaltender Steve Mason and show him and the Blue Jackets how to play in the big leagues. Winner: (2) Detroit Redwings sweep in 4

Lastly the 2 seeded Capitals should defeat the 3 seeded Devils in 6 games and the  Boston Bruins should beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5 games. The Bruins will defeat the Capitals in 6 games. In the Western Conference, the Redwings will defeat the Canucks in 6 games to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. The Redwings will face the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals and the Detroit Redwings will win in 7 games.