And it’ll be a huge four-game blockbuster too.

The 2009 NHL Playoffs continue with a four-game extravaganza you shouldn’t miss. Unless of course you’re not Canadian.

The Boston Bruins, after securing the overall no.1 seed in the Eastern Conference, will begin their road for the Stanley Cup when they take on the Montreal Canadiens. Boston comes into the series with an 8-2 run that got them within a point of winning the President’s Cup. Tim Thomas has excelled all year, and the outstanding depth at both offense and defense has changed the Bruins from being a mediocre team to a club that seem destined to win it all this year.

Although the Bruins may not be used to such high expectations, they shouldn’t really have too much trouble against the Montreal Canadiens.

In the West, we have Game 1 of the best of seven series between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks. Four teams in the West are selected to make the playoffs every year since the lockout and the Sharks and Ducks always seem to occupy two of the spots.

And yet, this will only mark the first time that the two teams from the state of California will meet in a playoff series. Unfortunately for the Anaheim Ducks, this may be a rather quick series as the Sharks have the Ducks trumped on just about every statistical category.

We also have the defending champions Detroit Red Wings kicking off their postseason campaign when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa, Nik Lidstrom, Brain Rafalski, Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, and Nicklas Kronwall can all score for Detroit and the Blue Jackets will get their hands full trying to stop these guys for sure.

Detroit has depth and experience all up and down their lineup. The Columbus Blue Jackets will need to continue to work on their defensive play and keep the pressure on Detroit, instead of allowing them to establish their puck-moving game.

The fourth playoff game on Thursday is Game 1 of the best of seven series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames.

The Chicago Blackhawks have regained their stride just in time for the postseason wars. They swept the season series and are a threat to sweep this one, too.

Which team will win the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds on the NHL playoffs’ first round match-ups.

Montreal Canadiens +265 Boston Bruins -330

Detroit Red Wings -460 Columbus Blue Jackets +360

Calgary Flames +140 Chicago Blackhawks -155

Anaheim Ducks +235 San Jose Sharks -275

Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NHL Playoffs odds. Want to watch the NHL Playoffs live? Get NHL Playoffs tickets online now.

2009 NHL Playoffs Stanley Cup