Now that most of the first round games are out of the way, let the speculations begin. Who is performing? Who is disappointing?

With the salary cap system, it appears that teams are a lot closer in the playoffs. Both the Sharks and the Capitals, the tops seeds in their conference, lost their playoff openers. Most other games were decided by a one goal margin. So is it anybody's game? Not quite. There are still powerhouse teams that will most likely edge their competitors to make it to the finals.

The East

Out of the four top seeds in the East, only the Sabres managed to win their first game. The first games definitely brought many surprises in the NHL betting world. However, Buffalo was outworked by Boston and Ryan Miller had to keep them in the game. He is bound to tire out, if not in the first round, then definitely in the second.

The Capitals are still the favorites to win the conference. Yes, they did have a poor showing by their standard in the first game, but watch out for game two. They will shake up the lineups and will create more room for Ovechkin. Capitals will win this series and most likely the conference. They have too many offensive tools to fall. The Capitals are hungry, young, and on top of their game. Pittsburgh will try to stop them again this year, but they will fall short. It was close last year, but this year Washington will have the edge.

The West

Of the four top seeds in the West, Vancouver and Phoenix were able to pull off wins, San Jose lost, and Chicago is playing their first game on Friday night. The Blackhawks are heavy favorites according to sportsbook to win the first game.

The Blackhawks are the favorites to make it to the finals and for good reason. They are, like Washington, young, hungry, and very skilled. They fell a bit short last year, but Detroit will not deter them this year from the finals. Chicago has all the tools necessary to win. A strong offense and defense leaves goaltending as the only real question mark. Niemi is skilled, but young and inexperienced. Can he get past the playoff jitters and settle in to give a strong performance? Having a strong defense in front of him will definitely help him to settle down into a grove.

The Finals

Capitals vs. Blackhawks.

With just a handful of games remaining in regular season play, things are heating up in the NHL.

For the Vancouver Canucks, their remaining two games mean everything. Sportsbook cappers know the Canucks are in a precarious position, having to balance giving players much needed rest before the playoff hoopla begins next week, with fulfilling the team's competitive needs.

Henrik Sedin, is quietly trying to become the first player in franchise history to capture the Art Ross Trophy. Sedin is currently in a do-or-die race with Alex Ovechkin for the title of NHL points king - he currently leads by just one point.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks are closing in on clinching the top spot in the NHL's Western Conference. Joe Thornton scored his first goal since his return from injury in the Sharks' winning effort, and the win means San Jose leads Chicago by two points heading into last weekend of regular season play. The Blackhawks, however, have the potential tiebreaker edge.

In Los Angeles, Phoenix overcame a rough start to beat the Kings in a come-from-behind effort that ended in a shootout. While Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson scored to give the Kings the early lead, Matthew Lombardi and Taylor Pyatt scored less than two minutes apart in the third period to keep the Coyotes in the game. Adrian Aucoin scored the winner in the fourth round of the shootout, giving the Coyotes a much needed win.

Finally, Boston surprised some fans of NHL betting by solidifying their Eastern Conference playoff spot with a win over the Sabers. In doing so, the Bruins moved out of eighth place, passing Philadelphia to tie for the sixth spot with the Montreal Canadians.

Atlanta Thrashers Playoff Hopes Dwindling

With a loss on Monday night to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Thrashers did not do themselves any favors. With the season's end quickly approaching and sitting two points behind the Bruins, the Thrashers must capitalize on every chance they get.

The fortunate development for Atlanta is Boston's struggles this season. With Marc Savard most likely out for the remained of the season, Boston is struggling to win the key games necessary to keep the Thrashers and Rangers at bay. It will be another difficult game for the Burins on Tuesday as they square off with the powerful Devils. The only good news for Boston is having a game in hand on Atlanta and two more points. That lead can quickly change tonight.

Atlanta will face the Leafs on Tuesday and have a respectable chance to add two points. With the Capitals and Penguins next on their schedule, this is the best prayer they have for a win in their next three matchups. NHL odds are also giving Atlanta better chances to win tonight than Boston, although both are going into their respective matchups as underdogs.

NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Battle

With four playoff spots already secured in the East, it leaves the remaining four open for battle. That is just numbers, but in reality it is five teams battling for three spots. Senators are just too far ahead at this point to lose out on a spot.

As it stands, Flyers, Canadiens, and Bruins are in for now. The Thrashers and Rangers are on the outside looking in.

The Flyers have really struggled in their last ten, but should be able to find enough in the tank down the stretch to make it. Canadiens too, will most likely hold on to a spot.

That leaves the Bruins, Thrashers, and Rangers battling for the last and final spot. All three teams still have a legitimate chance with just over five games to go. This is panning out to be a race to the finish. It may be easier to understand the final four odds than to guess the result of this one.

Whatever team does end up clinching the final spot will have to face the red-hot Washington Capitals. The Capitals will go for target practice in the first round with anyone they face.