Eastern Conference Predictions

Montreal (1) vs. (8) Boston

Questions to be Answered:
- Is Carey Price a less offensive second coming of Patrick Roy?
- Can Boston overcome their stellar record against Montreal this year?
- How did Montreal go from a predicted 13th to 1st, and if they keep winning, do we keep being surprised?

I may be a Leafs fan, but I’m not completely anti-Habs. I’m actually pretty impressed by how they’ve managed to beat everyone’s early season expectations and have claimed first overall. I loved Carey Price when he was with the Canadian Juniors, and I love his story, the whole “winner at every level” angle. I do wonder if a kid his age can kick ass and take names at the NHL level, but if anyone can do it, it’s him. Obviously the organization has faith in him (or an abject lack of faith in Huet), so hey, let’s see what he can do.

Honestly, I don’t see Boston getting very far in this series. In my opinion, they are (by far) the weakest playoff team. I know people turn it up when the second season hits, but honestly, if the Bruins (0-7-1) couldn’t beat the Habs in eight tries, I don’t see another seven helping very much.

PREDICTION: Montreal in 5.

Pittsburgh (2) vs. Ottawa (7)

Questions to be Answered:
- How do Pittsburgh’s lines shake down with everyone back in the line up? Do the Pens use Hossa, Crosby and Malkin on one PP line or two?
- When, exactly, does Ottawa remember how to play hockey? Or put another way, just how big a fluke can a 15-2 start really be?

Let’s put this bluntly – Ottawa has been horrendous lately. In terms of teams who limped into the playoffs, if they’re not at the top of the list, they’re pretty close. As Matt at BoA demonstrates their fourth quarter is good enough for 12th in the conference and tied for 7th worst overall. The only bright spot for the Sens (3-1-0) is that they experienced a modicum of success against the Pens this year. Not having Alfredsson, however, is going to hurt.

On the Pittsburgh side, Fleury is a question-mark for me. Conklin, while successful this season, has been…less than great…in the NHL playoffs. Malkin has thrown this team on his back in Crosby’s absence, and I’m curious what having both Crosby and Hossa in the line up with him is going to do for him. Does it make the offense even more potent, or do they struggle to all play together?

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh in 6.

Washington (3) vs. Philadelphia (6)

Questions to be Answered:
- What gear does AO put it into come playoff time?
- Are the Capitals burnt out from their push to just make the playoffs?
- Who gets suspended, who gets injured, and on what type of dirty play?

I think that the Flyers’ last game against the Pens was evidence that neither team really wanted to have to play the other in the first round of the playoffs. If I were the Flyers, I wouldn’t really want to face the Capitals, either. Their fourth quarter was the best in East (30 points) and the team is absolutely on a high after claiming the South(L)east from the Hurricanes in their final game. While sure, finishing up the way they did could cause a fizzle/burnout effect, I just don’t see that happening on a team with Ovechkin. Honestly, I think if he could play 200 games a season, he would not only do it, but love every second. This kid is what hockey is all about. If every player had his passion, the game would be a very, very different one.

The season series is even (Washington 2-2-0; Philadelphia 2-1-1), and the dirtiness/pseudo-grit factor goes to the Flyers. Secondary scoring is a big question mark for the Caps. Philly is similarly handicapped with one of my favourite playoff enigmas, Danny Briere. Honestly, I think this is going to be a really entertaining series (and hopefully not too dirty – yes Flyers, I’m looking at you), and I could see it going the distance. Unfortunately, I can also see it NOT going the distance, which leaves me not entirely certain how to call this one.

PREDICTION: Washington in 6.

New Jersey Devils (4) vs. New York Rangers (5)

Questions to be Answered:
- How does playing in 77 games in a season affect a 35 year old goalie?
- Who steps up for both teams?
- Will there be a more boring series than this one?

In this series, we are presented with two of the lowest scoring teams who also happen to give up very few goals. Can we say barnburner or what? Honestly, I’m still bitter that I picked Jagr in my playoff pool two years ago, only to have the Rangers go four and out against the Devils (of course, last year they proceeded to sweep the Thrashers and JJ had 11 points in 10 games, but I remain distrustful of him forevermore).

The Rangers (7-0-1) have been absolutely dominant over the Devils (1-4-3) this year. The bright side? Yeah, no shootouts in the playoffs. There’s also the Marty Brodeur factor. Is he tired from the 77 games he played in this year? Who knows. I like to think he’s geared up for the long haul, but I guess we’ll see.

PREDICTION: New Jersey in 7.