Stanley Cup Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semis

If you're not a hockey fan, then the first round of the NHL Playoffs was just a snapshot of why you are obviously not a sports fan. Each series was filled with headlines, offered great match ups, historical importance, and a flare for the dramatics.  As always there were missing teeth, blood, glove saves, kick saves, and snipes.  Throw in a few penalty shots and a plethora of OT and it strengthens my argument for the greatest playoffs in sports; bar none. With that being said, here's a recap of first round Eastern Conference action and a look at the semifinal slates. 

As you can find here, I correctly picked the top-seeded Fighting Bruce Boudreau's and their revamped style of "defense first" hockey to dethrone King Henrik and the Rangers; however I predicted a 4-2 series win and the Caps did it in Game 5. I went for the upset pick in the Flyers-Sabres series and while I did correctly pick the length of the series, Danny Briere and the Flyers were able to secure the series at home in Game 7. I am proud to say that I picked the winner and the length of the series in the Bruins-Canadiens series. I did not foresee each team winning their first two road games of the series, then taking home ice advantage in the remaining three games. But, the series lived up to the hype in terms of physical hockey and a splash of goaltending brilliance.  Lastly, I correctly picked the Lightning to defeat the Crosby-less Penguins; however the series lasted the full seven games, not six as I had predicted.  Not only was Crosby a great set up man for his linemates, he was a great leader for that team, something that can't be underestimated as to why the Penguins could not advance.  Props to the high-scoring Lightning though for moving on. If you're keep tabs, I scored on 75% of my shots in the first round. Let's chat about Round Doux.

Semin (left) and Ovechkin (right) can bring it. Will they get
enough support against the Lightning?

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

These Southeast Division combatants face-off in what promises to be another round of masterful hockey.  The Lightning rallied back from a 3-1 deficit against the Penguins on the heels of netminder Dwayne Roloson and an offense that found ways to score goals at crucial times.  The Lightning finished four points out of first in the SE Division and were 2-3 against the Caps in the regular season.  But the Capitals enter this series as a confident bunch after flexing their muscles against the pesky Rangers.  The new defensive prowess of this team, along with the right amount of offensive weapons in Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom seem to have a legitimate chance of getting to the Conference Finals.  Keep an eye on Mike Green, the Caps defensemen that was hit in the head with a puck.  If he's out for a considerable amount of time, the Lightning may have what it takes offensively with the likes of Stamkos, St. Louis, Gagne, and Lecavalier to shock the Capitals. Both goalies are playing well, but Michal Neuvirth looked solid from Game 1 on against the Rangers.  I think this is another great series, but the Capitals are too deep and have a mentality that they are never out of a game if they get down. Capitals 4-2

Is Tim Thomas the 'X-Factor' in the series? Stay tuned.

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins

I know I've beaten the dead horse in the Eastern Conference with constant references to history, but of the two semifinal games, this is the one that has more chapters than Harry Potter.  The Bruins didn't disappoint in their series against the Canadiens in making it a memorable playoffs.  I expect nothing less between these two teams because if you don't mind a litter refresher, let me remind you that jsut last year, the Bruins held a 3-0 lead on the Flyers before the Flyers won 4 straight games and rolled through the playoffs to the Stanley Cup Finals.  If you think that each arena won't be rockin' then you're mistaken.

This series will be high energy and loaded with highlight reel hits. I give the edge on offense to the Flyers because they have too many weapons to be held down.  The defenses of each teams is nearly a wash. The Bruins and Flyers each have verteran blueliners, like Zdeno Chara and Chris Pronger, who can get the puck to the net and take each others' forwards out of the game physically.  If you don't know, the Flyers had more goalie changes in Round 1 than Charlie changes his outfit for Water Street if I may steal a line from fellow writer Easy E.  However, they managed to weather the storm and advance.  Clearly, Tim Thomas is the best of the goalies in this series so the overwhelming advantage goes to the Bruins.  This prediction is a crapshoot because there are too many variables in this series.  My heart is calling for the Flyers, but my head is telling me that the Bruins are the safe pick, albeit in a tense six games.  Bruins 4-2

-Pat

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Eastern Conference

Is this the year the Ovi and the Caps get past the 1st Round?

In my opinion, the most grueling and intense playoff in sports starts Wednesday with the drop of the puck for Lord Stanley's Cup.  As Mitch highlighted in his preview of the Western Conference, the NHL is widely overlooked by most Americans due to the decreased national television coverage following the '04-'05 lockout.  NBC is the only major network that carries the NHL during the regular season with a "Game of the Week" on Sundays.  However, the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs offers dedicated and casual viewers alike, the opportunity to watch the most physical athletes beat the hell out of each other for their chance to capture "16W" and the best trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup.

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