The dust has settled, the music has stopped. Playoff hockey is just 48 hours away people. It is time to put away your razors, and have some dirt ready to rub on that charley horse; or severed Achilles tendon if you are Erik Karlsson.

Every year, at least since 1991, I have always felt like my team, the Detroit Red Wings had a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup. In 18 of those 21 consecutive seasons they have finished no lower than fourth in the conference. In four of those seasons they have actually won the cup.

This year, reality set in. Free agency was a bust, and the Detroit defense was spun together with Scotch tape, some old string cheese and a “can-(maybe)do” attitude. The resulting playoff qualification struggle should remove them from my list of favorites to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup this summer. Or will it? (Looks pensively off into the distance at Nick Lidstrom’s fading silhouette in the distance)

Eastern Conference

1)Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8) New York Islanders
2) Montreal Canadiens vs. 7) Ottawa Senators
3)Washington Capitals vs. 6) New York Rangers
4) Boston Bruins vs. 5) Toronto Maple Leafs

Western Conference

1)Chicago Blackhawks vs. 8) Minnesota Wild
2) Anaheim Ducks vs. 7) Detroit Red Wings
3) Vancouver Canucks vs. 6)San Jose Sharks
4) St. Louis Blues vs. 5)Los Angeles Kings

That’s our line-up for the postseason best-of-seven tournament. Here’s how it will play out.

Eastern Conference

1) vs. 8)—Pittsburgh /N.Y. Islanders

The top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins will have their hands full in the first round. Supremely talented teams need time to gel before they start the playoff grind. Adding the best player in the world Sidney Crosby should make things better, but it will still be a struggle. I want the New York Islanders to survive in the playoffs so badly but they are a year away from doing some real damage. The playoffs are uncharted territory for most of the team, but they aren’t scared of the Penguins. This series will be frisky for both clubs, but the Penguins are just too strong. Penguins in six.

2) vs. 7)--Montreal/Ottawa

I haven’t been really sold on the Canadiens all year and a first round upset wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Ottawa has Erik Karlsson back and could get their captain Jason Spezza back for the series. I think that this series comes down to goaltending and clutch scoring. (Duh, most playoff series do) I just don’t think that the Canadiens are for real this year and the Senators will have some momentum by possibly getting their two best players back. Senators in seven.

3) vs. 6)—Washington/N.Y. Rangers

This is a rematch of the epic Eastern Conference semifinals last year. The Rangers took that series in seven games, sending the surprising underdog Caps home. This year the Capitals have the higher seed and are red hot. I expect the talent of New York to stretch this series to the full seven, but the Capitals take the series this time.

4) vs. 5)—Boston/Toronto

This is a classic rivalry that will reintroduce the Maple Leafs to the playoffs. Boston will be pretty pissed off that they lost a potential division clinching game on their home ice. The Bruins and Maple Leafs had some great games this season. Boston had a three games to one edge, but the home and home series the teams played will be more indicative of how this series plays out. Those two games were super competitive one-goal decisions. This series will go the distance with Boston winning in seven.

Western Conference

1)vs. 8)—Chicago/Minnesota

Chicago can thank its lucky stars that Minnesota landed in the eighth spot. Facing a division rival as the top seed in the conference is trickier than it sounds. The Red Wings, playing with no expectations would have been a nightmare. Columbus playing with the “us against the world” mentality could have also been problematic. Chicago lacks the grit required to make a deep playoff run, and that will catch up to them in the next round. They match up well against the Wild though. Chicago in five games.

2) vs. 7)—Anaheim/Detroit

This will be an epic series, possibly the best of the first round. The Red Wings won two of three matchups against the Ducks this season, and their playoff matchups in the past few years have gotten just plain nasty. I think the hot goaltender steals this series and that is Jimmy Howard. Detroit in seven. Seriously.

3) vs. 6)--Vancouver/San Jose

I’ve said all year that the Vancouver Canucks will play with something to prove this season. Their first round opponent will be the forever bridesmaid San Jose Sharks. Cory Schneider had a little injury scare at the end of the regular season, but should be ready for the postseason. The Canucks are deeper and better in every position but goal. Antti Niemi has put together a Vezina quality season, and is pretty much the only reason to fear San Jose. He’ll make it interesting, but it will still be Vancouver in six games.

4) vs. 5)—St. Louis/Los Angeles

This could be a great series between two talented well-coached clubs or it could be over rather quickly. Los Angeles is so deep and so talented, it is hard to bet against them. St. Louis has gotten itself into a goaltender controversy just in time for the playoffs. Do they start Jaroslav Halak the starter, or go with Brian Elliott who has been hot lately? Too much talent in Los Angeles, and too much Stanley Cup defending champ pride. Kings in six.