Playoff predictions part deux

NHL 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Part II)

After yesterday’s cursory look at the Western Conference matchups, let’s follow that up with a little dabble to the East.  

Eastern Conference

(1)    Washington Capitals

                   vs.

 (8) New York Rangers 

Washington is a weirdo team to me his year.  It’s funny how many people flock around them as the most fun team with best chance to win, based on the “Great 8” being in their lineup.  I mean, there’s no disputing his talent, but it takes a shit load more than a star player (or two) to win a championship in these playoffs.  After faltering the past couple of seasons with relatively early exits, the Caps have been somewhat of a non-force this year, if you can say that about a team that finished first in their conference.  They’re somehow more subdued, quiet…like they’re trying to be taken seriously.  It’s very much the same feeling you get from a notably comic actor putting on a serious acting job for the run at an Oscar…think Jim Carrey in his last however many movies.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.  I’ve said it…The Washington Capitals are the Jim Carrey of the NHL.

The Rangers, easy to hate much like their brothers the Yankees, managed to squeak into the playoffs again my the skin of their teeth.  Although their reputation makes it hard for non-New Yorkers to like them all that easily with their free spending ways and constant protection of a GM that no longer seems to “have it”, they do have some notably likeable players on their roster.  I like Dubinsky…I like Callahan…and goalie Lundqvist is one of two goalies in the playoffs that can steal a series.  But alas, young stud Callahan is injured long term and their defense is still thin and Marion Gaborik is not the tough kind of player that’s going to take charge of a playoff series.  Washington in five.   

(2)    Philadelphia Flyers

         vs.

                (7)  Buffalo Sabres 

Philly surprised everyone by going to Stanley Cup Finals last year, seemingly doing it on brute strength and will alone.  But the more you looked at their roster, the more you saw how deep and talented they really were.  They still have the missing goalie problems that have plagued them for years and years, but Pronger on the backend almost makes up for it.  Up front, guys like Richards, Giroux, Carter and Hartnell provide a lot of grit and talent.  Mind you, Pronger is out for at least the first couple of games, leaving them a little thin back there.

Buffalo doesn’t have a lot.  They don’t have the forward depth or star forward.  Okay, there’s Vanek, I guess…but something about him just doesn’t quite let me buy into him being a top notch guy that can pick his team up and carry them very far.  On Defense, they have the beginnings s of something good in Myers.  In goal, they have a killer in Miller.  But his year has been merely okay.  It’s possible he could steal a series for them.  But I don’t think so.  Philly in six.    

(3)    Boston Bruins

vs.

                (6) Montreal Canadiens

There are two series in the opening round that tower over the others; Vancouver/ Chicago and this one.  The Habs and Bruins are long time rivals and meet in the playoffs often enough to keep those fires stoked.  The Bruins are looking to avenge last year’s defeat and the Habs looking to avenge last month’s demolishing hit from Chara onto Max Pacioretty.  With Carey Price taking the lead in net, it’s time to see if he can endear himself the way Halak did in last year’s playoffs.  God knows they’re gonna need it.

I see a lot of similarities in the Bruins personality compared with Chicago’s from last year.  The addition they made of Nathan Horton adds a ton to their forward lineup…and after the last meeting of the season between these two teams, I think it’s fair to say that Montreal has a legitimate fear of getting a little beaten up by these bruisers.  The Boston Bruins are actually my pick from the East to go to the Finals, so I guess it has to start here.  Bruins in four.

(4)    Pittsburgh Penguins

Vs.

(5)    Tampa Bay Lightning

Pittsburgh has obviously been one of the elite teams for a few years now with a few of the very best players in the league on their roster.  But enabling the salaries of Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and Staal has meant the supporting cast is a little more cobbled together.  Now, with both Crosby and Malkin out of the picture, it doesn’t leave them a ton to work with.  I know they’re a hard working bunch and have taken a lot of games to the hilt with shootout wins to close out the season, but they’re going t need to rely on past winning experience and toughness if they want to go anywhere in these playoffs without their two best players.

Tampa is an interesting one to watch; they got a couple of Canadian Olympians in Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier as well as one of the most dynamic young player sin the game today with Stamkos.  Hedman on defense could step it up to show solid play that got him drafted so highly a couple of years ago and Roloson the aging goalie often steps up as well as any armor wearing knight from any folk story you’ve heard.  Personally, with all that aside, new coach Guy Boucher is a master, and going up against Dan Bylsma from the other bench is going to push his brain into making some challenging decisions, I’m sure.  But I like the team with all of its parts in tact.  Tampa Bay wins in six.