Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
As promised, here's the breakdown for the Eastern Conference playoff match ups and a small analysis for each.
1 Montreal Canadiens vs. 8 Boston Bruins
What a surprise here folks. The Bruins and Canadiens always tend to find a way to habitually meet up in the playoffs. We are all too familiar with the way this season has gone for the B's against the dreaded Habs and if history has anything to say about it, it could get ugly. There is no love lost between these two teams and I fully expect to see an all out battle. The rivalry will be back and in full force. The outlook isn't pretty for the B's but I feel as though they are going to put up a much harder battle than many expect. The Habs are clearly a better team, as much as it pains me to say it. However, defense is the name of the game come the playoffs. As much as the Bruins need a series win to instill some pride back in this town, this really doesn't seem like the year.
Prediction: Canadiens in 6
2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 7 Ottawa Senators
If any match up in the Eastern Conference has the makings of a sweep, this would be it folks. The Senators have been a pathetic franchise for more than half a season. Whether it's the firing of their coach or the Ray Emery saga, they have no direction. Couple that with their captain, Daniel Alfredson, out with a head injury and they are a classic one-and-done.
Prediction: Penguins in 4
3 Washington Capitals vs. 6 Philadelphia Flyers
The Washington Capitals are arguably the hottest team in the NHL going into the playoffs having gone 9-1 over their last 10 games. Alexander Ovechkin is in the process of doing his best Superman/Wayne Gretzky/Mario Lemieux impression and all of the NHL should take note. This team is going to do some serious damage and if I were the Flyers, I'd be nervous.
Prediction: Capitals in 5
4 New Jersey Devils vs. 5 New York Rangers
Their are a few things you can count on in life: death, taxes, and a Martin Brodeur lead team making it to the playoffs. Never count out a team that is back-stopped by quite possibly the best goaltender in NHL history. On the other hand, the Rangers feature no slouch of their own between the pipes. Henrik Lundqvist is a proven #1 go to guy and I fully expect this to be a great match up that will go deep. The Devils kill you with solid goaltending and a knack for making you pay for mistakes. The Rangers are a team that has clicked over the past month and anytime you have the services of Chris Drury during playoff time, look out.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
2nd Round Predictions
1 Canadiens vs. 5 Rangers - Canadiens in 6
2 Penguins vs. 3 Capitals - Penguins in 7
Eastern Conference Finals
1 Canadiens vs. 2 Penguins - Penguins in 7
Eastern Conference Champions - 2 Pittsburgh Penguins
1 Montreal Canadiens vs. 8 Boston Bruins
What a surprise here folks. The Bruins and Canadiens always tend to find a way to habitually meet up in the playoffs. We are all too familiar with the way this season has gone for the B's against the dreaded Habs and if history has anything to say about it, it could get ugly. There is no love lost between these two teams and I fully expect to see an all out battle. The rivalry will be back and in full force. The outlook isn't pretty for the B's but I feel as though they are going to put up a much harder battle than many expect. The Habs are clearly a better team, as much as it pains me to say it. However, defense is the name of the game come the playoffs. As much as the Bruins need a series win to instill some pride back in this town, this really doesn't seem like the year.
Prediction: Canadiens in 6
2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 7 Ottawa Senators
If any match up in the Eastern Conference has the makings of a sweep, this would be it folks. The Senators have been a pathetic franchise for more than half a season. Whether it's the firing of their coach or the Ray Emery saga, they have no direction. Couple that with their captain, Daniel Alfredson, out with a head injury and they are a classic one-and-done.
Prediction: Penguins in 4
3 Washington Capitals vs. 6 Philadelphia Flyers
The Washington Capitals are arguably the hottest team in the NHL going into the playoffs having gone 9-1 over their last 10 games. Alexander Ovechkin is in the process of doing his best Superman/Wayne Gretzky/Mario Lemieux impression and all of the NHL should take note. This team is going to do some serious damage and if I were the Flyers, I'd be nervous.
Prediction: Capitals in 5
4 New Jersey Devils vs. 5 New York Rangers
Their are a few things you can count on in life: death, taxes, and a Martin Brodeur lead team making it to the playoffs. Never count out a team that is back-stopped by quite possibly the best goaltender in NHL history. On the other hand, the Rangers feature no slouch of their own between the pipes. Henrik Lundqvist is a proven #1 go to guy and I fully expect this to be a great match up that will go deep. The Devils kill you with solid goaltending and a knack for making you pay for mistakes. The Rangers are a team that has clicked over the past month and anytime you have the services of Chris Drury during playoff time, look out.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
2nd Round Predictions
1 Canadiens vs. 5 Rangers - Canadiens in 6
2 Penguins vs. 3 Capitals - Penguins in 7
Eastern Conference Finals
1 Canadiens vs. 2 Penguins - Penguins in 7
Eastern Conference Champions - 2 Pittsburgh Penguins
posted by JHa at 9:24 PM
21 Comments:
Bruins in 7. - There's always an upset, so why not? Thomas will stand on his head.
Pittsburgh in 5 - Martin Gerber or Ray Emery? Who cares. Ottawa's done.
Philly in 6 - The playoffs are a different kind of game. Philly will muscle wins out of Washington.
Jersey in 7 - Lundqvist vs. Brodeur. Marty wins.
anyone know if the games are going to be on NESN...i saw CBC and RDS in canada but that doesnt do me much good down in boston
round 1 guarantees for the b's:
1. steve begin is going down
2. jeremy reich will be ejected and suspended
3. thomas will stand on his head
4. steve begin is going down hard
5. krejci will lead the b's in points second to only chara
6. shawn thornton will earn his money
round 1 hopefuls for the b's:
1. bruins win in 4
2. habs fans will forget the words to that stupid chant they sing all game, and realize they're watching hockey not soccer
3. savard plays
4. bergeron plays
p.s.: steve begin is going down
Steve Begin, will be punished like the rest of those flying french freaks.
Bruins in 6.
Wheres the love, JHA?
This is the Habs, as a Bruins fan, we should never expect to lose to them. I wont have it. Alberts, Chara and Ward are going to punish them.
Here's my ode to Steve Begin and the rest of those shitheads.
"BLOOD on the streets
BLOOD on the rocks
BLOOD in the gutter, EVERY LAST DROP, YOU WANT BLOOD
you got it"
-Bon Scott
Patrice Bergeron has been cleared to play in the playoffs.
He needs a couple full contact practices, but its official.
Patrice has been our BEST weapon against the Habs for the last 3 seasons.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
ITS ON.
I really hope I am wrong fellas. But, it's extremely hard to look past the numbers. If the B's can pull off the upset, this will be one of the greatest upsets in a long time.
Win the series and this will put the B's back in the Boston sports landscape. Make the series tough to 6 or 7 games, and there will be plenty of hope. Lose in 4, and they'll be the laughing stock of Boston yet again.
I really think it's going to be a hard fought series from the B's but you can't look past the fact that the Canadiens are clearly a better team.
I have my tickets to game 4 on Tuesday night already so I'll be there with fingers crossed hoping for a win!
Greatest Upset in recent history was the 2001/02 8th place Habs beating the 1st place Bruins in 6 games. Want another? The 7th place Habs rallying from a 3-1 games defecit to beat the #2 (and seemingly unbeatable) Bruins in 7 games.
THOSE are upsets.
When an injury-riddled team gets some players back for the playoffs and stomps the team that owned them during the regular season is called JUSTICE.
BRUINS IN 4...there i said it.
Well said mook! over here is michigan I say bruins in 6. But it will be the best series in this years playoffs. Everyone will be back for game one go B's
I have to disagree. The best MATCH-UP in the east is def NYR and and NJ. It's obvious cause it's the 4-5 match-up. The best opportunity for an upset is the Bruins and Habs...how ironic, the 1-8 seed lol
What's wrong with Steve Begin?
Don't kick my ass I'm just kidding. We get them on the scoreboard. Then in Game 4 we hit 'em hard. Make Price cry.
You may be surprised. The Bs played their best against the Habs when they did NOT let them get under their skin in the last two games. The Habs cannot win games 5on5 so they hack and whack and play dirty just enough to get you to retaliate and put you in the penalty box, then punish you with their power play.
In order for the Bs to beat them they have to hit them and play patient 5 on 5 hockey and stay out of the penalty box. Trust me, Begin is in the back of all their minds and he will pay when the time is right.
B's in 6.
i hope reich gets ejected and suspended but begin better be bleeding and helped off the ice.
agreed, bruins do play better when level-headed...so i predict an early assault on Begin...then they can relax.
i'm sure Julien still has begin's number...he difinitely called him and gave him some Tabernacs!
OK here's my take (I have 20 mins before work)
Bruins vs. Habs
Habs look strong heading into the postseason in all areas except 5on5 play and experience. The Bruins (and Julien) know this and are willing to do what it takes. With a little luck, the B's will make a series out of it. After game 1--based solely on the performance of Price--we'll know who will win the series. If price plays well and absolutely stones the Bruins then they're history. If he looks shaky and nervous...even if the Habs win expect the Bruins to take it in 7. Booyah.
Caps and Flyers
Ovechkin and Co. are riding high, but how long can that last? Christ-my-balls Huet will likely stone the Flyers and he will be the difference, but let's not forget the Flyers went 8-1-1 in their final 10. Biron plays some inspired hockey when he wants to...but injuries to Briere and (whats-his-face-defenseman) will kill the Flyers. I say the Caps win in 6.
Pens and Sens
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
This one has too-much hype. As much as Bryan Murray is trying to rally the troops and get some attention by saying the Pens intentionally lost their last game to draw the Sens, ultimately this one will be a snoozefest. It has all the potential in the world, but crappy goaltending will make for a high-scoring crap-o-rama.
Sens in 7. In your face Cidny! Fleury/Conklin = Racicot/Thibeault
Devils and Rangers
here we go...some real hockey in the east! i dunno how much it cost Lou lamoriello, but he managed to now get everyone saying BOSTON plays the trap. The Devils invented the trap! Paul Mara will cost them dearly though...
Devils in 5. I'd take that brodeur over that Lunqdqviqsqt any day.
Has anyone here ever been to celticsblog? Updates after every game and new articles everyday. The guys who manage that site really do a nice job. Maybe the admins here should take notes.
Bruins in Six
go raps/jays!
Habs/Bruins history during the Cam Neely era:
1993/94 - won in 7
1991/92 - won in 4
1990/91 - won in 7
1989/90 - won in 5
1987/88 - won in 5
we need cam neely (1986-1996)!!!
wait a minute...
...we got Cam Neely.
ITS on.
Lucic once scored a hat trick against Price in jr. playoffs, and he'll do it again
Everyone has been talking about the Habs beating us in the regular season here at school and I keep saying that the playoffs are a different game, players are different in the playoffs, Jumbo Joe was horrible in the playoffs when he was with Boston. Now I am excited because for the first time we have the chance to be the upsetters...Bruins will get a shot in the arm with Bergeron and hopefully Savard returnes. I dont know the rules dictating player call ups but Providence has a great deal of tallent...I saw Hamil play this past weekend and he has great passing ability (way too small) but Knackstedt played great, I'm not directly suggesting that these players can be impact players this season in the Playoffs but look at Lucic, for all we know he and Knackstedt could have both been in Juniors this past year.
A lot of upsides to the Bruins even with the way the season unfolded.
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