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| Is this the year the Ovi and the Caps get past the 1st Round? |
With that being said, it was decided that I would take on the task of predicting the Eastern Conference's half of the bracket. The East is as deep as I have seen it in quite some time. There are match-ups all across the board that feature hockey history and a stable full of international superstars, although one of them may miss the entire playoffs. Let's drop the puck.
#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 New York Rangers
Even though the Caps have once again earned the #1 seed in the East, don't think that one of Charlie's Top Five man-crushes in Bruce Boudreau, isn't on the hot seat again if his team once again fails to get out of the first round. (See 2010 when the Capitals were up 3-1 on the Canadiens and had a meltdown of historic proportions. However, Ovechkin has tailored his trade to become more of a team-leader, and the team has become more balanced and consistent since their losing streak that was well-documented on HBO. The loss of Ryan Callahan already diminishes a thin forward corps for the Rangers and Marian Gaborik needs to prove he's worth the money, but will the pressure be too much? Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers and Michal Neuvirth of the Caps is an interesting match-up to keep an eye on. Lundqvist will single-handedly keep the Rangers in games, and Neuvirth, who is in his rookie season, could succumb to the jitters. At the end of the day, the Rangers just don't have the depth and the talent to compete in a series with the Caps. Capitals 4-2
#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 Buffalo Sabres
If you want a history lesson, this series will be the 9th time that these teams have met in the playoffs. Each party can recall certain moments that stick out, and 2011 has the possibility to write another chapter in the book. The Flyers are stumbling into the playoffs like I stumble into Buzzy's on Water Street at 2:30 a.m. The Sabres on the other hand, have fine tuned their game and march into the playoffs like Charlie marching into The Pickle expecting to get a smokeshow or two's number. The Sabres' Thomas Vanek has been carrying the flag for his battalion in the last weeks of the regular season. For the Flyers, Jeff Carter was the automatic point machine in leading his team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year. Another staple in last year's Cup run, Chris Pronger, is day-to-day entering the playoffs. If he misses the first three or four games of the series, beware Flyers fans. The other problem I have with the Flyers is their inconsistency in net. I say Sergei Bobrovsky. You say who?! The Sabres however, get to pencil in Ryan Miller; advantage to the Sabres. Just like our man Charlie who gets lucky once and awhile, I see Buffalo going into a hostile Philadelphia and beating the Flyers in the most exciting game in sports, Game 7. Sabres 4-3
#3 Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
The most historic of the first-round match-ups pits the Bruins against the Canadiens. I guarantee you that this Original Six rivalry will make your Grandpa throw on the 'ol sweater and crank the volume. Both cities will be riled with hatred and intensity. The fact that Montreal police are still investigating Zdeno Chara's hit on Max Pacioretty, adds a unique plot to the series. Is it really possible that the Montreal police would culminate their investigation and pursue Chara for his crime? I can't see the NHL letting this happen on any circumstances, but who knows. The spotlight in this series will certainly be the netminder match-up. Budding superstar, Carey Price, will be between the pipes for Le Canadiens, and Tim Thomas will set up his brick wall on the other end of the ice. The Bruins are much more physical. The Candiens have more team speed that includes Plekanec, Gionta, Gomez, and Cammilleri. The Canadiens have a veteran defense that matches the Bruins veteran blueline group. The Bruins forwards are much younger than the Canadiens, but sputtered last year after being up 3-0 on the Flyers. I want this series to go to a Game 7. With the history and the hate between these teams, it could be one of the memorable series of the entire playoffs. Bruins 4-3
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning
If I would have woken up today from a winter hibernation that had been induced in early January I would have had multiple reactions. What the hell happened to the Pens?! What the hell happened to the Lightning?! But I would have thought, "Hey, this is still going to be a helluva series!" Then, I'd turn on the game and see no Sidney Crosby and no Evgeni Malkin in pads for the Penguins and think, "What the hell happened to them? And when?" Knowing that Crosby had been gone since January 5th with a concussion, I'd say it's encouraging for the Pens to even have the fourth seed in the East. They relied on styming defense, suberb goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury, and young guns on offense to score just enough goals to win games. The Tampa Bay Lightning though were commanding the East in early January. Playing in the same division as the Capitals eventually catches up to teams though, hence why the Lightning finished in fifth place. I like the offense on this team. No wait, I love the offense on this team. One line includes Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Simon Gagne. Then there is Steven Stamkos, who had the second most goals in the league, pitted with Steve Downie, and Ryan Malone. Even with those offensive names, they struggle on defense and their goaltender, Dwayne Roloson, hasn't played in the playoffs since 2006. Keep an eye on that in the opening round. Something just tells me to pick Tampa Bay here...and I will. I have fallen in love with their offense. It's like looking at Marissa Miller. You can't take your eyes of them. Lightning 4-2
