One could argue that this year's path to the Stanley Cup is more open than ever...especially in the East. With that in mind, here we go...(1) Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens
In this spring's rematch of the dramatic seven game series of last season, the Bruins now have the upper hand. Instead of being the eight seed that clawed its way into the playoffs a season ago, this time around the Bruins are the bee's knees of the east. Most people look to last year's riveting first round exit as the starting point for the Bruins resurgence. Will this year's rematch have the same drama?
Not a chance.
For one, the Habs are without their best player and leading scorer, defenseman Andrei Markov. Forget the distractions that come with playing in Montreal; I'm sure Gainey will have his boys ready to play. That doesn't change the fact that the Canadiens are softer than Libarchi in the PlayBoy Mansion. Kovalev has played very well down the stretch, but who knows if he'll decide to play some puck in the post-season. Price has been battling inconsistencies in the crease for much of this year. At the end of the day, Chara, Thomas, and the B's plethora of forwards will be too much for Les Habitantes.
Prediction: Bruins in 5
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (7) New York Rangers
Washington has had an excellent season. AO will probably take home another MVP trophy, Alex Semin has been phenomenal, Backstrom has made the concept of the "Sophmore Slump" laughable, and had Mike Green been on the Rangers, he would've been their leading point scorer by 14 points and their leading goal scorer by three (he's a defenseman whose only played 68 games...sheesh). The Rangers have struggled to score goals for most of the year, but it seems that Torts has finally started to get the team going offensively, as they roll into the playoffs with three straight wins.
This series will hinge on three important battles:
1. Jose Theodore vs. Henrik Lundqvist
2. Alexander Ovechkin vs. Marc Staal
3. Washington's PP vs. New York's PK
I think Staal, whose quickly evolved into one of the league's best shut-down defenders, will be able to "contain" Ovechkin...you'll never be able to completely stop him, as he'll always get his shots, atleast on the power-play. The Ranger's PK has been absolutely dynamite all season (1st overall), regardless of whose behind the bench.
Here's the kicker - Jose "I was the league MVP once, I swear, look it up!" Theodore versus The King of New York. I'm sorry, but the Rangers will fire more shots at Theodore than shoes I'd like to throw at ex-President Bush. He won't be able to handle it. Washington is not a strong team defensively, and I don't think they will be able to score enough goals to make up for a lack-luster defensive effort. If Torts is able to roll the lines enough so that the Rangers' top players' legs can hold up for a seven game series, I like the Rangers' odds.
Oh, and there's this guy named Sean Avery in the line-up for the Rangers. I heard they do pretty well when he's around.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes
To me, this is a tale of two teams going in opposite directions. Yes, I know the 'Canes lost their last two games, one of those being to the Devils. But, if you watched the game you would've seen that the Hurricanes were clearly the better team. Two flukey goals on dump-ins and Cam Ward getting the day off...I'm just going to throw that win out.
If you asked me two weeks ago who would come out of the east, I would've said Marty's Devils with no hesitation. But as Bob Dylan would say, "the times they are a changin."
The Devils suddenly look older. They look slower. With guys like Parise (as a Rangers' fan I hate to say it, one of my favorite players) and Zajac getting a lot of the press, it is easy to forget the Devils are, in fact, an old team. Shanny, Holik, Madden, Pandolfo, and Rolston are all well past their primes. Brodeur hasn't just looked human in the past two weeks...he's looked bad.
The 'Canes have gone on an absolute tear since Paul Maurice has taken over. Cam Ward has been arguably the best player in the NHL the past two months. The re-acquisition of Erik Cole has Eric Staal back and firing on all cylinders. Many people forget that Staal was fighting a shoulder injury all season that he hushed up...he's healthy now, and it shows.
For the Devils to win this series, they will need another MVP quality effort from Zach Parise, and an above-average perfomance from Brodeur. The Devils penalty-kill has struggled all season, and I expect the 'Canes to exploit this. Carolina is younger, quicker, and hungrier.
Prediction: Hurricanes in 6
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
The marquee series of the first round. The battle of Pennsylvania. Crosby vs. Richards. Malkin vs. Carter. Heck, throw Staal vs. Briere in there.
Pittsburgh is on an absolute tear. 18-3-4 since Dan Bylsma took over for Michel Terrien. Malkin laid claim to the NHL scoring title, Crosby has been piling up points since the acquisitions of Kunitz and Guerin, and Gonchar has been a calming presence defensively and quarter-backing the power-play.
The Flyers are stumbling. Fourth place seemed to be all but given to them for the past two months, but failing to register a point in two games with the Rangers (their win over the Isles...well, c'mon) led them down a spot in the standings, and away from a home ice advantage for the first round. Biron has at times....well...sucked, and their goaltending will remain a question mark unless Brion can play like he did last spring, or Nittymaki can conjure some of his success from the last Olympics.
All logic points to the Penguins winning this series, right?
Wrong. This is a marquee rivalry...in the playoffs. Throw logic out the window.
Let's start with the Jeff Carter vs. Evgeni Malkin match-up. Carter played some inspriring defense, yes, defense, in the playoffs last spring. He will outduel Malkin. I firmly believe that.
Richards vs. Crosby will be a toss-up. These two really go at it, and I envision them both having an excellent series.
Although I'd give Pittsburgh the edge on defense and in goal, I think the ability of the Flyers forwards, namely Richards and Carter, to come back and help out in their own zone will loom large in this series.
For Pittsburgh to win, they are going to need the Flyers to be un-disciplined, which has been know to happen. Crosby and Malkin will need to battle through more abuse than Wall Street, and over a seven game series that will really wear on them. Pittsburgh will also need to keep tabs on the very under-appreciated "third line" of the Flyers - Giroux, Briere, Asham. Giroux and Briere have looked magical lately, and I really think they will pay dividends for the Flyers.
The winner of this series will come out of the east. You heard it here first.
Prediction: Flyers in 7.
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