Hello all,
Leading up to the NHL playoffs, I will be previewing certain teams/conferences and what I expect for this year's playoffs. In my first report, I will be looking at the Powerhouses of the East (as I call them) - New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. While the first round will certainly be exciting, and I'm not throwing out the chances of upsets, these 4 teams have the biggest chance of representing the East in the Stanley Cup. However, it all comes down to final standings and we (most likely) are going to see Pittsburgh/Philadelphia in a Clash of the Titans first round (which will end one of those teams title hopes). For the purpose of this report I will split it into two segments: PIT/PHI and NYR/BOS
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Battle of Pennsylvania
These division rivals are neck and neck with eachother in every respect, and it shows in the 6 games a year they play each year (especially this year). They have been physical, rough and high scoring games including the last 6-4 win by Philadelphia on Sunday which included several fights and a game-ending brawl. The storylines are obvious for the Pens: Malkin for MVP, Crosby and his concussion problems, Bylsma and his extraordinary coaching style. However, I feel that the Flyers don't get asmuch credit then they deserve, especially when the two teams are compared. Peter Laviolette may not be the most liked coach in the league, but he knows how to win and he is bold. Claude Giroux is amongst the best forwards in the game, while he is #3 in scoring it is his two way play and leadership that puts him amonst the NHL's elite. Throw in a career year from Hartnell and Simmonds, the steadyness of Jagr and Briere and young forwards JVR, Schenn, Talbot etc, and the Flyers have one of the best forward cores in the league. There #1 D and Captain Chris Pronger is out for the season, but there D remains a big part of their team (Coburn Timonen Carle Kubina Grossman and Meszaros). Flyers have won 4 of 5 games so far this year (with the last game on Saturday), and deserve to be praised as much as Pittsburgh does. If these teams end up playing eachother we will know one thing: it is going to be by far the most exciting first round playoff series. Both the teams are dead even in my opinion, and it will be a grueling 7-game series if they do end up playing eachother. It will be a huge win and crushing loss for each team, but we will have to wait and see who ends up in which place. My prediction: Philly in 7
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers - Battle of #1 Contenders
The #1 and #2 seeds in the east respectively, both have very different storylines. The Boston Bruins are defending champs, and they look to have as much success as they did last year. However, certain things are much different this time around. Nathan Horton is hurt, but Tyler Seguin has a much more impacting role this year. We all remember how important Horton was to their cup run, and it will be on the line of Marchand-Seguin-Bergeron to take them there (ofcourse with Thomas and Chara anchoring the team). Locked in at #2, the Bruins most likely will get the Ottawa Senators in round #1 and will have yet another Canadian first round matchup (and we all remember Montreal taking them to game 7 ot last year). Will they repeat? While the Bruins are looking for repeat sucesss, the Rangers are looking for straight up playoff consistency. The Rangers clinched the division, conference and #1 spot in the east with a win tonight, but have much higher expectations in the playoffs. They have lacked playoff spark since the 94 cup run, and this year's team will only go as far as Henrik Lundqvist can take them. Another big issue is they are going to get either Washington or Buffalo in the first round, and they will have their hands full with either team. Both these teams are powerhouses but certainly vulnerable, and who knows what will happen in the playoffs. My Prediction: The Bruins and Flyers meet in the Conference Finals, with the Rangers losing either first round or second round.
Love this time of year, back with preview #2 next!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
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