NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs Predictions: '09 Style

I know that the playoffs, as of right now, have technically started already. But I promise I didn't look yet. Prepare for me to be way off the mark.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

Ooooooh, Original Six rivalry. Boston has been the best team in the East all season, with scoring depth from players like David Krejci and Blake Wheeler, not to mention stellar goaltending from Tim Thomas. Did I forget potential Norris Trophy nominee Zdeno Chara? Montreal hasn't really received any consistent scoring all season outside of defenseman Andrei Markov, and this isn't a team that can lock it down defensively. The Canadiens are about to get rocked This will still be a battle of a series...barring a Montreal implosion.

On second thought, that's likely. The Bruins got out of a nasty slump just before the playoffs. Montreal has been in a slump all season, and it's safe to say things aren't due to change. If Tim Thomas fails to show up in the playoffs, then this competition becomes closer. Still, Boston in 5.

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers

This could be a battle of special teams, considering the Capitals have one of the best powerplays in the league, while the Rangers have one of the best penalty kills. The Rangers powerplay, meanwhile, is one of the worst in the league, and is basically irrelevant.

Supposedly, New York's infamous Sean Avery will get in Alex Ovechkin's head, and the league's best goal scorer will be rendered ineffective. My opinion? Not happening. However, Capitals defenseman and goaltender Mike Green and Jose Theodore are far more susceptible. In last year's first-round series with the Flyers, Green was goaded into a fight by the pesky Scottie Upshall (I miss you, Scottie. Come back to Philly someday). Theodore is simply inconsistent, and Avery will probably make his home right on the crease. Fortunately, Washington has two other phenomenal scorers in Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom. The Rangers will spend the majority of the series relying on Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist is good, but he deserves a better team. Washington in 6.

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes

I'm going to ignore all the past playoff history between these two teams, and instead focus on the now. However, there are two things you should know about the Hurricanes:

1. They are not a particularly physical team, and are certainly less physical than New Jersey.
2. They came into the playoffs off a 13-3-2 streak dating back to the beginning of March.

Now for the Devils...they seemed to be a true contender for most of the regular season. Star goaltender Martin Brodeur went down with an injury, and for once, the team played like it didn't need him. Of course, now he comes back...the point is that the team has been 5-7-1 since the middle of March. They need to regain that form they had for most of the season. Regardless, Carolina in 6.

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers

This is the matchup I dreaded. The Penguins have been on a massive roll since new head coach Dan Bylsma took over. The Flyers dropped a weak 4-3 loss to the Rangers on their last game of the season to give up home ice advantage. However, this series comes down to Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and Flyers goalie Martin Biron. If Fleury can regain his form from last year's playoffs (1.97 GAA, .933 Sv%), the Penguins are in business. If Biron can get hot, the Flyers will still probably lose. Penguins in 5.

That being said, Mike Richards is still the man, and is a player built for the playoffs.



Western Conference matchups will come later, and maybe I'll stick some pictures in this post too.