Eastern Conference Preview

After last nights results the Eastern conference match ups are now decided - with the New York Rangers stealing the 8th and final spot on the last day after Carolina go down 6-2 against Tampa Bay.

Washington Capitals (1) V (8) New York Rangers

The Rangers return to the playoffs after missing out on them last year but for me i can't see anything but a Washington victory in this series even though the Rangers have battered the Caps 6-0 and 7-0 this year in regular season play.
Key for the Rangers will be Henrik Lundqvist in goal - the only chance they have of getting into the 2nd round is if this guy is hot, hot, hot. He lead the league with 11 shut outs during the season and he with the Rangers not having nowhere near the firepower of the Caps they will need him to stand firm between the pipes.
Washingtons key player?? - Well it has to be Ovechkin, if he plays well then he could fire the Caps deep into the playoffs. However, if the Caps want to be contenders they will need all 4 lines to contribute and hope their youthful netminder tandem of Varlamov and Neuvirth can pull through.

My verdict - Caps 4 v 2 Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers (2) v (7) Buffalo Sabres

Both teams qualified for last years playoffs and both teams are here again this time around. The Flyers had a fantastic playoff run last year, losing to Chicago in the final after having only qualified on the last day of the season. This time around they qualified a lot easier but gave up the conference win after stumbling to a record of around .500 over the last 20 games. In contrast, Buffalo have been on fire since the turn of the year and bring the better form into the playoffs.
Key for Philadelphia will be what scoring they can get from the likes of Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Scott Hartnell. All players were huge at different times during last years run to the final and will all need to be again this year if the Flyers want to go one further this time round.
Key for the Sabres will be the form of netminder Ryan Miller, who returned for the last games of the season after a minor injury and the play of Thomas Vanek and if he can lead the Sabres scoring charge.

My Verdict - Flyers 4 v 3 Sabres

Boston Bruins (3) v (6) Montreal Canadiens

This is my match up of the round for the Eastern conferece, with the Canadiens looking to be the suprise package of the playoffs like they were last year. It will need to be a team effort from the Candiens to do as well this time around and they will need outstanding performances in goal from Carey Price whilst the likes of Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez will need to put the points on the board. Key for me though will be how Montreal's defence copes with the size of the Bruins and they will need to keep the scores low to stand a chance of getting through.
In Tim Thomas, Boston have one of the best netminders of the season - with him leading the goals against average (2.00) and setting a new league record for save percentage (0.938% - as long as he doesnt play today). This is why it is vital Montreal's defence can be miserly as this guy certainly will be and for me the Bruins will be able to dictate this series with strong play at both ends of the ice.

My Verdict - Bruins 4 v 1 Canadiens

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) v (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

The last time Tampa Bay made the playoffs was 2007 and they will need to be on top of their game to go deep into this years playoffs. On the otherside we have 2009 Champions Pittsburgh who will be without Evgeni Malkin for the post season and Sidney Crosby for at least the start of it. This match up is the most difficult one for me to make a decision on, which would be expected seeing as its 4th v 5th in the league. With Crosby and Malkin fit it would be a no brainer for me, i'd go Penguins everytime. Something in my mind is just saying to go for the Lightning. Steve Yzerman has worked wonders on the team to pull them back into the playoffs and could the signing of Dwayne Roloson as an experienced netminder help at this time of season when experience is essential? Mike Smith (from what i have seen) looks a good netminder coming through and this tandem could help the Lightning make it to round 2. Key though are Martin St Louis, Vinny LeCavaier and Steve Stamkos. All 3 firing and i can see a lot of goals in this series.
Key for the Penguins? Without their best 2 forward it has to come down to Marc Andre Fluery between th pipes as the key for a Penguins win. They won't have as much firepower and will need to keep Tampa at bay. If Sidney Crosby can return to the line up before Tampa finish it? Maybe that is the real key to the outcome of the tie.

My Verdict - Penguins 2 v 4 Lightning

Whilst im on the Eastern Conference and before the games get underway i will lay my hat on the line and say that my prediction to make the final from this conference will be the Bruins. Washington always seem to go to pieces in the playoffs, Tampa might suprise Pittsburgh but i can't see them going further and Philly should have lost to Boston last year but for the Bruins throwing a 3 game lead away in round 2 to go home early - they will be after revenge for sure.