Welcome to the newest addition to the hockey coverage here at RealGM with our new hockey blog called Hockey Talk. Running on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Hockey Talk will examine player and team trends as well as take a more in-depth look at the game. This is an interactive project, so feel free to email your opinions to Douglas.Benton@realgm.com, and your thoughts may just appear in this space. April 10 The Pittsburgh Penguins did a good job of crashing the net in game one against the Ottawa Senators. They had three goals and 11 total shots in front of the net to just five by Ottawa. The physical battles up front, which set up Gary Roberts? first goal, were a major part of Pittsburgh?s win. Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury pitched a 26 save shutout on a night he didn?t face many tough shots. Most of Ottawa?s chances came from just inside the blue line. However, Fleury did help hold Ottawa to 0-7 on the power play, including 0-2 in five on three situations. He was good, but not great tonight, but that is all he has to be on a nightly basis for Pittsburgh to win the East. Once again, in the Colorado Avalance-Minnesota Wild game, it was Colorado who controlled the area in front of the net and won the game. All three of Colorado?s goals came in front and despite getting out shot by eight, Colorado was able to push Minnesota?s chances out toward the blue line and secure a game one win. Minnesota?s Brian Rolston had a solid game tonight with the second most minutes among non-defensemen at over 24 minutes for the Wild and added an assist on the Wild?s second goal. He was on the ice for both Wild goals and helped pick up the slack from an off night by Marian Gaborik. April 7 Then, we had 16. With the playoff match-up sets, here are breakdowns of each series with predictions: Eastern Conference (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins: Boston is in trouble in this series. They just don?t have the firepower to stay in this series, and unless rookie goaltender Carey Price of Montreal has a mental breakdown, the Canadiens will move on in five games. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators: This is a really interesting first round series. Ottawa has the talent to beat Pittsburgh in a series despite injuries, but Pittsburgh will score at least four goals in each game, and Marc-Andre Fleury will be good enough for the Penguins to win in six games. (3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers: The NHL offices were jumping off the walls when superstar Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals qualified for the playoffs. I like the Capitals in seven games as they have a goaltender edge with Cristobal Huet and the best player in this series in Ovechkin. (4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers: The rivalry continues in the playoffs in what should be a physical series. I predict the Devils in seven games as home ice will be the difference and goaltender Martin Brodeur will channel his dominance past for at least one more series. Wester Conference (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators: This should be a fast series for Detroit as they just have too much talent for Nashville. The only way this series becomes a question is if the goaltending tandem of Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek goes south. I don?t think it will happen in this series, and the Red Wings will get the sweep in round one. (2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames: Nobody in the West wanted to face Calgary because of their overall talent, and San Jose drew the short straw. Calgary will challenge San Jose and could win this series, but Joe Thornton could dominate this series. San Jose wins in six tough games. (3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche: The Wild pair up with the team they won their first playoff series against in Colorado. This is a different Jacque Lemaire team with much more offense, and the Wild will be able to skate past and around Colorado, led by Marian Gaborik and Pierre Marc-Bouchard. The Wild will win this series in five games. (4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars: I see this series as a mismatch in the favor of Anaheim and could be over quickly. Marty Turco of Dallas will be able to play even in the goalie match-up, but the blue liners for Anaheim are too tough, and the Ducks have enough firepower, led by Ryan Getzlaf, to control this series. Anaheim moves on in five games.