The Devils do it in 60 minutes and the Wings do it in 84; both are moving on

Series Result: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6
My Prediction: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6

And so the East has been decided, and I've got to tell you; the New Jersey Devils are the perfect playoff hockey team. Think Tom Brady and the Patriots; Marty Brodeur and the Devils are their hockey equivalent.

Are they as dominant? Not necessarily. But both teams have one trait in common that almost always leads to playoff success; they hardly ever make mistakes, and they always make their opponents pay for theirs.

Both teams have in one man; Brady and Brodeur respectively; a guy that can single handedly steal a game on any given night. They also have a core of guys that just compliment each other so well that they look like a team or a unit rather then a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys.

But enough of that analogy, the point is simply that the Devils are bred for playoff hockey. They've got the goalie, they've got the defense, and they've got the pesky role players that can shut you down; and chip in goals as well. They've also got a few very talented players on offense, including Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, and Zach Parise.

Their series against the Senators should make for some great hockey.

Series Result: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 6
My Prediction: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 7

I'm surprised that the Flames were able to win games 3 and 4 after the way they were completely crushed in games 1 and 2; but alas, they did all they could to make a series of it before falling. The Red Wings are a team to be reckoned with, but their next opponent; either the Stars or the Sharks; isn't going to make life very easy for them. That being said, the tough life will be mutual.

I was disappointed with the Flames lack of... well, flame, throughout this series, especially on the road. I'm not sure whether it was the Red Wings that got them off their game, or whether they just couldn't find it, but it was an extremely disappointing showing, and another early exit that will not be easy for these players to swallow.

Now all we can do is watch and wait, as the Stars / Canucks Game 7 will fill out the rest of the playoff picture for you; and let me get those winning predictions to you as fast as I can.

NBA Playoffs... The Wrap-Up

Here's what I'm NOT going to do; read a bunch of "expert" series picks, and then reword their predictions as if they were my own, when I really have no idea about the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

Plenty of fools already do that for you. I pity the fools. That's right, Mr. T. You have a problem with that?

Here is what I can tell you from my limited basketball knowledge (and this isn't going to be all that shocking or original, either...); The Mavericks and the Suns are really, really good.

And the Spurs and Pistons aren't half bad either. Especially when the playoffs roll around.

In the end, it will be one of those 4 teams. There really isn't any magic in the NBA, because the best teams are simply tiers above the rest. You don't get wild card teams going all the way like in baseball or football, and you don't get 8-seeds going to the finals like you do in hockey.

The Rockets have no chance. If they beat the Jazz, they face off against the Mavericks next. Then, miraculously, they win that series, they face off against the Suns. 2 miracles later, you play the best of the East, which despite the fact that its a joke of a conference as far as depth is concerned, its got a few decent teams in it that could conceivably beat whatever beat-up team comes out of the West.

It'll be the Pistons out of the East. If anyone beats them, it'll be the Cavs or the Bulls. But I don't think that is going to happen.

It'll be the Mavs out of the West. Anyone picking Golden State in this series is a bigger joke then I was for picking the Wild over the Ducks. Seriously, get over it Golden State fans. You are going to lose this series in 5 games maximum.

My radio show co-host Brandon Marcus said to me "I hope the Mavericks lose that series so I can give you heat for it". I'd like ALL of you to give me heat for it. Go ahead. If the series goes to SIX, make my life a living hell.

All that said, if anyone will actually beat the Mavericks, it'll be the Suns. When these two teams face off, it'll be a playoff basketball series I'll actually watch; and that is saying something. I don't think the Spurs have what it takes to keep up with either of these teams this year; but time will tell.

So, Mavs/Suns over Pistons in the finals. Shocking. Don't think anyone has ever made this prediction, have they? I feel so original.

For the record, I bet the Phoenix Suns 1 Unit to win 6 Units at the beginning of the year. Now they are bet 1 to win 2. Go Suns!