On ESPN, 13 picked the Rangers (including Messier, Ferraro, Subban, McDonagh, Callahan, and Kaplan) and 12 picked the Panthers. Amazingly 20 of the 25 people have it as a 7-game series, the other 5 people have it as a 6-game series, 4 for the Panthers and 1 for the Rangers. In the West, 19 of 24 picked the Stars.
Overall, between NHL.com and ESPN, 21 picked the Rangers and 19 picked the Panthers, doesn't get much closer than that. Surprising to me, 31 picked the Stars and only 8 picked the Oilers. I thought more would pick the Oilers, even though I agree and like the Stars in 6.
Bottom line is pretty much everyone thinks the Panthers/Rangers series will be a great, tight, long series, and I agree. Two very good teams battling. I like Rangers in 6 or 7 (leaning 7), but it is just about a toss-up IMO. And again, I think the winner is the favorite to win the Cup.
Let's drop the puck and get the CF's rolling.