It's a copycat world, you guys. From hairstyles to cars, even blogs are subject to being copied. That's how this whole prediction thing came to be, after all.

Following that trend, I decided to make some predictions about the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And as an Eklund-appointed hipster (No really, it was one of the first things he told me when he met me at the Stanley Cup last season), being late to the party does bother me, but I'm OK with that.

So without further ado, here they are...

Eastern Conference

1. New York Rangers vs. 8. Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators, who showed a curious case of not-giving-a-damn in the final week of the season, stole three of four against the East-best New York Rangers this year, and in his career, Sweden's Henrik Lundqvist hasn't fared considerably well against the Sens, with 11 wins in 26 career games. These figures are mere facts. But this is a series that won't be made or broken by a pedestrian performance from the all-world Lundqvist. To put it simply, the Rangers' forecheck and scoring depth will be too much for Craig Anderson and the Sens to handle. However, that won't mean that the Sens are incapable of giving the Blueshirts a hard time, because they will on their way to making this one a seven-game series.

Prediction: Rangers over Senators in seven games.

2. Boston Bruins vs. 7. Washington Capitals

Despite tallying 29 points in 27 games against Boston, Alexander Ovechkin's had trouble when it comes to scoring against Boston. Notching just 12 career markers against the B's, his fewest total against any Eastern Conference foe, the Great 8's match-up against the Bruins' Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas will be the No. 1 reason why the Bruins advance beyond the first round for the fourth straight season.

Look for Boston's Chris Kelly to continue his money (Straight cash, homie) year as the B's will depth their way by an inexperienced Braden Holtby.

Prediction: Bruins over Capitals in six games.

3. Florida Panthers vs. 6. New Jersey Devils

While I think the games between the Panthers and Devils this season showed the hockey world that Florida is a capable team, I think it's fair to suggest that they're without question the weakest team in the entire playoffs.

Taking the Devils' late charge into account along with the Cats' ability to back into the playoffs with the worst of 'em, I like the Devils in the quickest series of the East.

Prediction: Devils over Panthers in five games.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers

Let me preface this pick by saying that I'm currently wearing a Claude Giroux shirt as I blog this, so there's a chance (See: I am) that I'm 100% biased, but I think this one is going to be an absolute war. The Penguins are among the most sneakily tough teams in the league, with guys that can bang on every line and pairing, but I just think the Flyers have that killer instinct and the ability to gut it out. While this series boils down to which version of Ilya Bryzgalov shows up, I like the heart of the Flyers.

Prediction: Flyers over Penguins in seven games.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Los Angeles Kings

I'm not sure that you can deny this series as being the most interesting in the entire Western Conference, and it all begins in net. Firstly, welcome back to the playoffs, Roberto Luongo. A year removed from your .857 save-percentage in the Stanley Cup, you'll be facing off against the (should be) Vezina Trophy winning Jonathan Quick, who went 2-2-0 against the Canucks this year, with one of those two losses coming in a 1-0 affair.

But beyond the advantage I see in the Kings' crease, why do I like the Kings in this series? Well, it's simple: There's no Daniel Sedin (To start the series, anyways) for Vancouver and the Kings have Mike Richards. A force in all three zones of the ice, the LA forward has five goals and 25 points in his last 25 first round games, will be reunited with allegedly healthy Jeff Carter, and has three goals and five points in nine career games against the 'Nucks.

Prediction: Call me crazy, but I like the Kings over the Canucks in seven games.

2. St. Louis Blues vs. 7. San Jose Sharks

I've said it for months now, but I've never seen a team as casual as the San Jose Sharks. And no, that's not a compliment. They skate with the swagger of a team that's a division winner, but as they head to St. Louis for a battle with one of the best goaltending tandems in the League, I do not like their chances.

Hey, the numbers speak for themselves: The Sharks scored three goals against the Blues this year. No, not in one game, but in the entire season! Look for Jaroslav Halakamania to run wild all over the Sharks.

Prediction: Blues over Sharks in five games.

3. Phoenix Coyotes vs. 6. Chicago Blackhawks

Despite the three seed in their corner, I have to consider the Phoenix Coyotes among the most underrated teams in the entire NHL. Outside of Radim Vrbata scoring the quietest 35 goals you'll ever hear about, the 'Yotes boast perhaps the most dangerous weapon on either bench in goaltender Mike Smith. Since February, the 30-year-old is 20-4-3 with a superhuman 1.84 goals-against-average and .942 save-percentage. Meanwhile, their penalty-kill has clicked at an 85.5%, good for fourth best in the West.

And as Boston proved last year, the difference in the playoffs can be made by the pucks you stop, and at the end of the day, I just have to believe that Smith stops more than the Blackhawks' Corey Crawford.

Prediction: Coyotes over Blackhawks in seven games.

4. Nashville Predators vs. 5. Detroit Red Wings

This one is going to be an absolute doozy. In a battle of Central Division powerhouses, I'm taking the Predators for one simple reason: Home ice. We all know how great the Detroit Red Wings are on home-ice, and how much the final change benefits their rather old bodies, but I think this one is a perfect storm for 'em. I think Nashville has the defensemen that can keep up with the scoring depth of the Wings (and hold them at bay for that matter), and I just think Pekka Rinne will be able to get his head on straight for this one.

Prediction: Predators over Red Wings in seven games.

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