Currently, there's 10 teams in the race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Unfortunately for 2 of them, there's only 8 spots. With the Bruins, Devils, Caps and Flyers virtually being locks for playing beyond April 12th that leaves 6 teams vying for 4 spots. With 27 days remaining in the NHL season and a break in action for 26 teams tonight it's a good time to see what our ideal match-ups for the 1st round will be in the East.
Boston Bruins (1 seed) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (8 seed) - This match-up would undoubtedly leave Bruins fans salivating. The Bruins swept the season series against Cam Ward and the 'Canes. This series would either give the Bruins an easy 1st round sweep or 5 game series win or could turn out to be a grueling 6 or possibly even 7 game series. Considering both teams high-powered offensive style of play this series would definitely be entertaining for a 1 vs. 8 match-up. Prediction: Bruins win in 5.
New Jersey Devils (2 seed) vs. New York Rangers (7 seed) - Why wouldn't like this? It'd be the rematch of last seasons 1st round match-up between the Rangers and Devils. All eyes would s
urely be on Sean Avery and Martin Broduer, who got into a battle during last years series which led to the "Avery Rule" being implemented into the NHL, disallowing players from deliberately screening the goalie away from the play. Prediction: Devils win in 7.
Washington Capitals (3 seed) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (6 seed) - A showdown of NHL cover boys: Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby. The young duos of Semin and Ovechkin vs. Crosby and Malkin would definitely bring in the ratings and coverage the NHL could use to start off the playoffs. Although the Malkin vs. Ovechkin rivalry has been 'put to rest', one couldn't help but think a 7 game series would reawaken the feud. Prediction: Capitals win in 6.
Philadelphia Flyers (4 seed) vs. Montreal Canadiens (5 seed) - A rematch of last year's 2nd round match-up where the Flyers took down the Habs in 5 games. The Habs are currently in a tough spot but have been playing better under new coach and GM Bob Gainey. Prediction: Canadiens win in 6.
This would set the table for a Bruins vs. Canadiens conference semi-finals match-up and a Devils vs. Capitals semi-final. These two match-ups would certainly be two tilts for the ages. And frankly, I don't want to hazard a guess on what could happen in these series given the talent of all 4 squads.
Boston Bruins (1 seed) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (8 seed) - This match-up would undoubtedly leave Bruins fans salivating. The Bruins swept the season series against Cam Ward and the 'Canes. This series would either give the Bruins an easy 1st round sweep or 5 game series win or could turn out to be a grueling 6 or possibly even 7 game series. Considering both teams high-powered offensive style of play this series would definitely be entertaining for a 1 vs. 8 match-up. Prediction: Bruins win in 5.
New Jersey Devils (2 seed) vs. New York Rangers (7 seed) - Why wouldn't like this? It'd be the rematch of last seasons 1st round match-up between the Rangers and Devils. All eyes would s
urely be on Sean Avery and Martin Broduer, who got into a battle during last years series which led to the "Avery Rule" being implemented into the NHL, disallowing players from deliberately screening the goalie away from the play. Prediction: Devils win in 7.Washington Capitals (3 seed) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (6 seed) - A showdown of NHL cover boys: Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby. The young duos of Semin and Ovechkin vs. Crosby and Malkin would definitely bring in the ratings and coverage the NHL could use to start off the playoffs. Although the Malkin vs. Ovechkin rivalry has been 'put to rest', one couldn't help but think a 7 game series would reawaken the feud. Prediction: Capitals win in 6.
Philadelphia Flyers (4 seed) vs. Montreal Canadiens (5 seed) - A rematch of last year's 2nd round match-up where the Flyers took down the Habs in 5 games. The Habs are currently in a tough spot but have been playing better under new coach and GM Bob Gainey. Prediction: Canadiens win in 6.
This would set the table for a Bruins vs. Canadiens conference semi-finals match-up and a Devils vs. Capitals semi-final. These two match-ups would certainly be two tilts for the ages. And frankly, I don't want to hazard a guess on what could happen in these series given the talent of all 4 squads.
2 comments:
If the Bruins draw the hurricanes then that'l be a 4-0 sweep. I wonder who Sidney Crosby
and the Pens will get though. I think the Eastern finals will come down to the Bruins and the Pens..But that's just my thought
Yeah it's definitely a possibility. Kunitz has been an awesome addition for them and Fluery's really playing great since the All-Star Break.
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