Eastern Conference Round 1

[abpk2903]

Here is a little first round preview. Plus some predictions.

1 Washington Capitols vs. 8 New York Rangers:

It is hard to believe how much this Capitol team struggled for the last month of 2010. They limped through the first half of the season. Since they have by far been the best of the East. It is hard to believe the lack of goals Ovechkin has scored this season (same amount as Crosby who only played 41 games) and yet this team still hold onto the 1 seed. The issues that cost this team in the playoffs in the past are getting better as well. The is the best defensive (2nd in the NHL on the PK) team they have had in a long time and goalie play is no more of a question mark than it has been over the past couple years for them.

The Rangers have one of the best goal differentials in the league yet barely got into the playoffs. Lundquist will be the only way this teams makes noise in the first round. Lucky for the Rags he is one of the best in the league and could steal them a few games in this series. I would be a lot more concerned about this team if they would not have lost Callihan for the season just a few games ago. Still this lineup does have some potentially potent scorers.

Prediction: Washington in 5

2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7 Buffalo Sabres

What happened to the Flyers down the stretch? I know they lost Pronger and that was a big setback on the blueline but this team has been one of the worst in the league over the last few weeks. Last year this team got in the playoffs on the very last game and went on to the Finals. This year this team has been the front runner all season and seems to have gotten very complacent. Pronger will be back and this team still has to be considered one of the favorites out of the East if not one of the favorites in the entire NHL.

Ryan Miller will be the centerpiece to any postseason success this team will have this year and I think he proved how much of a big game goalie he can be during his entire Silver medal Olympic run with the US last February. Much of the scoring will come from Thomas Vanek. This team would be a lot more potent in the playoffs if they would not have lost Roy to injury earlier in the season. They enter the playoffs as the best team in the east over the last 10 games.

Prediction: Buffalo in 6

3 Boston Bruins vs. 6 Montreal Canadians

Just as Ryan Miller is to the Sabres, Tim Thomas is to the Bruins. Unlike the other contenders in the East, Boston has been very consistent over the course of the entire season. This is mainly because they are (IMO) the best defensive team in the league. Marc Savard is out for the playoffs (possibly for the rest of his career) with concussion problems from a hit over a year ago. Thornton is another costly injury as well. It is easy to overlook this offense due to how good they are defensively but Boston is 5th in the league in goals scored.

Montreal is not going to sneak up on everyone again this season. Offense is definitely the weak chain link for this team ranking 21st in the NHL. Carey Price will be looking to work some postseason magic for a team that many would say disappointed this season. They are quite possibly the healthiest team entering the playoffs, though, which is always good.

Prediction: Boston in 5

4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

It is absolutely incredible how much success this team has had when they have had Staal, Crosby, and Malkin all healthy together for a total of 2 periods this entire season. Each and every person in the lineup have raised their level of play somewhat to get them home ice for the first round. Crosby doesn't look as though will be available for this first round series so the workload falls once again to Marc Andre Fleury who is in the running for the league MVP. A late season injury to James Neal could be a set back for this team but he is not ruled out of any postseason action yet. Best penalty kill in the league could be a huge factor in the playoffs for the Penguins.

Tampa Bay is the surprise in the east this year. I had them making the playoffs but not scoring 100 points in the regular season. Roloson has resurrected a team that has had some of the worst goaltending in the league the past few years but how well will this 40+ year old hold up in the playoffs. Offensive firepower is the specialty with this team and their top 2 offensive lines is possible the best in the league. Tough for a team that hasn't made the playoffs the past few years to face a perennial powerhouse in the East in the Penguins.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in 6

[Crimson09Crazy]

great write up. Like the Philly upset call.

That would put 2nd round matchups as
Washington vs. Buffalo and Pittsburgh vs. Boston.


Boston-Pens series would be fun.

[jack daniel]

Rangers over Caps in 7
Flyers over Sabres in 7
Bruins over Habs in 6
Pens over Lightning in 6

[vman]

good stuff ak47........my upset is Montreal over Boston & I feel the Pens will have a tougher time w/ TB than most think! Our defense & grittiness will prevail in 7 games.....TB has been hot & that is no coincidence to Ryan Malone returning to their lineup; he is a match-up problem for most teams (we should pit Stall against him while we have last change advantage).

[The Ancient Enemy]

Hate to say it, but I think Tampa Bay wins this in 6. And I agree, Buffalo over Philadelphia.

[jack daniel]

TAE

If Tampa took the Pens down it wouldn't surprise me so you just end up being right. The Pens have a big advantage defensively and in net, but that last defensive pairing which ever duo it is out of Lovejoy, Niskanen, and Engelleland worries me. And most importantly, where are the goals going to come from? This team has struggle quite a bit to score lately, the PP has been horrid I'm hoping Kovalev does what hes best known for and steps up big in the playoffs because the Pens need him too. Also, hopefully Staal will be a bit more consistent offensively in the playoffs. But I agree with you that Tampa could win this series simply because you know Tampa can score, but I'm not sure the Pens can. Worst of all, I thought all along Sid would be back for the playoffs but clearly that is not going to happen or at least not for the first round.

[The Ancient Enemy]

He is still not cleared for practice contact, so its gonna be awhile.

It just seems like TBs offense is playing really well, and I dont like our chances.

[jack daniel]

I know even once hes cleared for contact, whenever that happens, it'll still take another week or two at least until hes playing so theres probably no way he plays in the first round. But like you said Tampa's offense is clicking which is what worries me. And we've struggles this year with teams that have that big power forward and Tampa most certainly has that in Ryan Malone.

[vman]

I love the smell of napalm in the morning, vulcanized rubber whizzing thru the cool air, two foot snowplowing into goalies, the sound of crunching checks, deft passes, adroit skating..............IT'S A HOCKEY NIGHT IN PGH!!!!!! GO PENS

[The Ancient Enemy]

Def will be rooting hard for Pittsburgh but if I was a gamblin' man (I did win 49 bucks in Wheeling 2 weekends ago) I would take Tampa in like 6.