Nothing gets fans more riled up than predictions. Pick against their favorite team and you’re an idiot. Do it too often and there’s clearly a bias. And if you’re wrong? Get ready for screen shots on Twitter.

It’s fun. It’s all part of what makes this time of year the best. But why hog all the good times?

Traditionally in this space each year, I explain each of my first-round series picks -- you can find them all right here. But this year, we’re changing it up. In the place of my own picks, I’ve asked a panel of five from those inside the game to pick each series so we can get additional insight, a majority for each series and help fill out a bracket.

The panel: NHL head coach, NHL general manager, All-Star player, NHL assistant coach, NHL scout.

Their picks:

Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

Predicted winner: Blackhawks (5-0)

This played out the same way a lot of media predictions have for this series. Everyone expects a close series, and when it’s close, experience gets the edge.

“I’m fine with Nashville, too,” the head coach said. “I just think in the end [the Blackhawks] know how to win. What’s knowing how to win? I don’t know. Their elite players are such good players. I wouldn’t pick against them.”

“Blackhawks. One word: Proven,” the GM said.

“[Jonathan] Toews found his game over the second half of his year and that mirrored their run at the end. They’re still the Blackhawks. Never seem to panic. Always think they’re going to win,” the assistant said.

“Chicago away from their big guys is an ordinary team, but their big guys are so epic, it’s tough to bet against them,” the scout said.

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Predicted winner: Blues (3-2)

This was a close one. Guys went back and forth on this series but ultimately leaned toward a group that advanced to the Western Conference finals last year. Again, experience won out.

“It’s a really tough one. I like them both,” the assistant coach said. “I like the Blues' depth up front. From the net out. It’s a toss-up. Minny has home ice and they’re really good on home ice. Their defense is outstanding, and I think you can apply pressure on St. Louis.”

“The Wild have been the better team all year. They’ve had a little bit of a downturn, but their fundamentals have been pretty good since the deadline,” the GM said.

“The teams are a bit of a toss-up,” the coach said. “I didn’t like the [Martin] Hanzal move. That happens so much. It’s just a different fit and it’s hard to fit in.”

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

Predicted winner: Ducks (5-0)

A clean sweep for the Ducks. Everybody liked the Flames, but nobody liked them enough to pick them to beat a veteran Anaheim team.

“They’re both good teams,” the head coach said. “It’s experience. One team has been at it a little longer. Losing Cam Fowler will hurt them, so it’s a bit of a toss-up.”

“Randy Carlyle is a matching wizard during the game. He’s so instinctive on the bench. He’s one of those coaches, like Ron Wilson, Scotty Bowman, Joel Quenneville -- they sense their team right away,” the assistant said. “He’s a master in game management.”

“I still don’t like [Dougie] Hamilton,” the scout said in breaking down the Flames' defense. “But he has such a dominant asset with his size and skating and OK puck skills -- it’s an overwhelming dominant asset for him that has helped to offset his defensive deficiencies. Having Mark Giordano as a partner for him is huge.”

Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks

Predicted winner: Sharks (3-2)

For a group that really seemed to favor experience, this was surprisingly close. The X factor that the Oilers have that other inexperienced teams don’t? Connor McDavid.

“I just think that McDavid is that much of a wild card in the whole thing,” the GM said, who picked Edmonton. “The Sharks have been trending the wrong way. I don’t know if those guys have it in them.”

“I gave it to the Sharks, but I am worried about their injuries,” the scout said. “I am also worried about the skill in Edmonton -- at least for one of their guys. At the end of the day, if [Logan Couture and Joe Thornton] can play, San Jose is just the better team. They’ve been there and done that. When a team has been out of the playoffs for a long time, they’re just happy to make it and there’s almost a letdown.”

“I think Edmonton can spend time in the Sharks' zone,” the coach said. “The Sharks are a bit of a half-court team. If you can get them to defend, advantage you.”

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

Predicted winner: Canadiens (4-1)

The Canadiens get the edge because of concerns about goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, and the lack of concerns about Carey Price.

“If Price is a wall, they’ll win,” the GM said.

“I don’t love either team. I think the Rangers are headed the wrong way. They always had good forwards but not elite forwards,” the coach said.

“Montreal plays a really good team game. They have a lot of weapons. They skate. They push the pace. And [coach] Claude [Julien] changes the dynamic,” the assistant coach said.

Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins

Predicted winner: Bruins (4-1)

This was tilted heavily in the favor of the Bruins, but there are definitely concerns about the injuries on defense to Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo -- especially Krug.

“Torey Krug is a huge loss,” the head coach said. “That’s two big losses for them. It just all depends now on Tuukka [Rask].”

“The Senators are the only team with a negative goal differential to make the playoffs,” the GM pointed out. “But it’s a close one.”

“I think it’s even, but I give the edge to the coaches in Ottawa,” the scout said. “I don’t like either one of [the coaches], but the guy in Ottawa, as much as you may not like his style, he has something that works. I just don’t like it. He wins with it; I don’t like the style he plays. I don’t like the system. I don’t like anything about him, except the fact that he seems to win.”

"I think [Brad] Marchand is the MVP of the league," the assistant said.

Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Predicted winner: Capitals (5-0)

There was plenty of love for the Maple Leafs, and multiple panelists said they would have given them a better shot if they had drawn a team other than the Capitals.

“I love Toronto’s team. I love them. Like Edmonton, I just don’t think they’re there yet,” the assistant said. “The Caps will get through this round. There’s not a hole on this Capitals team. But talk about a coach who makes a difference -- Mike Babcock may be the best coach in the game. Toronto will give them trouble. I can see it going six games, but I don’t think it’ll be a close six games.”

“The trouble with Washington is they’re supposed to win, they’re supposed to sweep that series, they’re not supposed to allow one goal in that series. It’s like a team in a playoff run and they have to play Arizona and have to win -- it’s hard. It’s the same sort of psychology mentally. It’s terrible conditions to play under, and Toronto has none of that,” the scout said. “But in a seven-game series, it will tilt in Washington’s favor. They’re just too good.”

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Predicted winner: Penguins (3-2)

Another close one. The injury to the Pens' Kris Letang looms large in this series.

“It’s a huge loss,” the coach said. “Last year, nobody was able to get to Pittsburgh’s D partially because Letang played 29 minutes per game. Columbus is built to get to Pittsburgh’s D. Columbus does a really good job in taking what’s given.”

“I like the Blue Jackets, and my concern with the Penguins is Letang. I love Sidney Crosby, but I thought Letang was the MVP last year in the playoffs. He was phenomenal in that Washington series,” the assistant coach said. “What I like about Pittsburgh is the evolution for me in guys like Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl. Those guys have changed that team. They play with some edge. They’re going to match Columbus’ edge. And then you have a guy like Phil Kessel, your luxury player, in your back pocket.”

“Brandon Dubinsky will terrorize Sidney Crosby. The best hockey he’s ever played in his life is when he plays against Sidney Crosby,” the scout said. “I know it’ll be an upset [picking Columbus], but there are going to be upsets. Pittsburgh is so banged-up. I think they’re too banged-up and the magic is not going to happen.”