All Hockey Talk

Well, this will be about the Eastern Conference in particular, as we have the Rangers against the Caps, the Flyers vs. the Sabers, the Bruins vs. Canadiens, and Pens vs Lightning.

It looks like the Caps may be getting past the first round this year and defeat an offensively challenged Rangers team. I think a lot of the frustration for the Rangers comes from not effectively being able to pressure Washington at all in the offensive zone and not being able to score on rookie goalies, both which are recipes for disaster in the playoffs especially. The only way the Rangers have a chance is is king Henrik can play beyond lights out for the rest of this series, but I still don't think that will be enough. I don't think the Caps will be going to the Cup finals though, they still lack some grit in all areas that will be critical against teams like Philly, Boston, Montreal, or Pittsburgh. As for this round though, they will win this pretty easy against a shabby 8th seed this year. Series ends 4-1 Caps.

The Flyers had some problems against the Sabres, but the score is surely not a tell all in this one. The Flyers have themselves to blame for the loss in game 1. Miller surely played a great game in net, but the Flyers had golden opportunities and just flat out failed to capitalize. The controlled the flow of play for 75% of the game and spent more time in the Sabres end than their own, but couldn't find the back of the net. I give Miller a lot of credit, but the Flyers are much more talented that than. I wouldn't count on this holding up though, I think the Flyers will come out and show their true talent soon enough. The Sabres have too few weapons and the Flyers have too many. Flyers win series 4-2.

The Bruins and Canadiens, I guess this would be my first call for an upset. The Canadiens are just a better team. Boston is an overachiever and a big underachiever in the playoffs, last year for example. It is never good to go out like they did last year, and then to start these playoffs getting dominated? It doesn't bode well, but I thought the Canadiens were the better team from the get go. Boston is a solid regular season team, but I just don't see this team winning a cup. Lucic is good, but nothing special, and the Bruins have little else for offensive talent. Good defense and a great goalie, but that hasn't been the recipe to win the Stanley Cup for a few years, although it plays a big part. I am not saying defensive and goaltending are not key to winning a cup, but I am saying you can't play Devils style from the 90's anymore. You need some good talent up front to win. Canadiens win 4-3.

And for the series no one knows anything about. You have the patchwork Pens against the playoff unknown Lightning... well this generation at least. They do have some playoff experience, but not much throughout the entire team. The goalie and the vets have a good bit, Cup experience and a few a Cup win, but for the majority of the team, very little to none. It's hard to say how this one will go, but after tonight's game I think the Lightning take this one is a tightly matched 7 game series. Lightning 4-3... but don't quote me on that.