(1) Pittsburgh Penguins(36-12-0) vs. (8) New York Islanders(24-17-7)
Penguins lead series 4-1-0
The only match up where the two teams involved faced off five times within the shortened season. With that said, these two probably know each other quite well by now. It's nice to see the Islanders NOT be terrible for once, and while I'll be pulling for the upset, I just don't see it coming. The Penguins may be a tad beat up but they have a ton of depth and their stock piling of players at the deadline sure came in handy.
Pittsburgh Breakdown:
GF/G: 3.38 (1st)
GA/G: 2.48 (12th)
PP%: 24.7% (2nd)
PK% 79.6% (25th)
NY Islanders Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.81 (7th)
GA/G: 2.83 (21st)
PP%: 19.9% (t-10th)
PK%: 80.3% (t-20th)
Both teams had better hope to play a clean series. If Pittsburgh has any shortcomings at all it's with their PK unit, which sits in the bottom five of the league. Both of these teams can score, and both have a couple questions in net. I think Pittsburgh's experience in the post season will carry them to a handy series win.
Eric's Pick:Penguins in 6
(2) Montreal Canadiens(29-14-5) vs. (7) Ottawa Senators(25-17-6)
Canadiens lead season series 2-1-1
Another team claiming redemption after a terrible season last year. Funny how they both seemed to capture the #2 seed (see Anaheim). The Canadiens had the #3 pick in the draft prior to this year ad used it to pick Alex Galchenyuk who helped them to return the post season. How Ottawa made it to the seven seed is beyond me. The team had been, and to an extent still is battered and bruised only getting star defenseman Erik Karlsson back a few days ago.
Montreal Breakdown:
GF/G: 3.04 (t-4th)
GA/G: 2.58 (14th)
PP%: 20.7% (5th)
PK%: 79.8% (23rd)
Ottawa Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.33 (27th)
GA/G: 2.08 (2nd)
PP%: 15.9% (20th)
PK%: 88.0% (1st)
Two different styles of play in this one. If Ottawa can continue to keep the goals allowed down, and manage to sneak a few past Montreal, I'm assuming Carey Price is going to be in net, then the Senators should be able to pull this one out. If they lose their game plan though, Montreal is all over this one.
Eric's Pick: Senators in 6
(3) Washington Capitals(27-18-3) vs. (6) New York Rangers(26-18-4)
Rangers lead series 2-0-1
Is it just me or do the Capitals and Rangers seem to meet somewhere in the playoffs every year. If I recall correctly they met in the first round last year as well except with opposite seeding. Let's be honest, coming into March almost anyone you asked had the Caps down for the count and then things pretty much blew up. Alex Ovechkin went on a tear and the team climbed the ranks steadily. The Rangers have been a mysterious team all year. The early favorite to win the Stanley Cup, they quickly found themselves in the NHL's gutter and struggled most of the year to climb out.
Washington Breakdown:
GF/G: 3.04 (t-4th)
GA/G: 2.71 (18th)
PP%: 26.8% (1st)
PK%: 77.9% (27th)
NY Rangers Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.62 (t-15th)
GA/G: 2.25 (4th)
PP%: 15.7% (23rd)
PK%: 81.1% (t-15th)
As per most Capitals' playoff series, this one is almost guaranteed to go seven games. If the Rangers get sloppy and give the Caps quality PP chances it's going to come back and hurt them. I have to give this one to the Caps, simply because it's their turn to win a series between the two teams. This is going to be a toss up either way.
Eric's Pick: Capitals in 7
(4) Boston Bruins(28-14-6) vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs(26-17-5)
Bruins lead season series 3-1-0
With everything that happened this year, storybook NHL would deem Boston as the team of destiny, who have had four games postponed this season for various reasons. In all honesty, there is just nothing exciting about the Bruins this year. They are pretty much the same team that won the cup two years ago minus Tim Thomas. They play a big defensive game and probably will as long as Zedeno Chara is helping protect the net. As for Toronto, they got off to super hot start, some claimed they couldn't keep it up and they did fade a little midway through the season. They managed to hold on however and find themselves in the thick of the playoffs for the first time since the 03-04 season. That was the season prior to the lockout before last.
Boston Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.65 (14th)
GA/G: 2.21 (3rd)
PP%: 14.8% (26th)
PK%:87.1% (4th)
Toronto Breakdown:
GF/G: 3.02 (6th)
GA/G: 2.67 (17th)
PP%: 18.7% (14th)
PK%: 87.9% (2nd)
As I said in a previous pick, I tend to go with the better defensive team since defensive prowess ramps up in the post season.
Eric's Pick: Bruins in 7
There you have it, my simple breakdown for the western conference. I'll be putting the eastern conference tomorrow. That being said, this is going to be really really REALLY close. I foresee a lot of overtime games. Much like the Phoenix/Chicago series from last year.
And there we go, All the match-ups for the Stanley Cup playoffs briefly broken down. Draft lottery Monday, and the big show starts Tuesday. Enjoy!
And there we go, All the match-ups for the Stanley Cup playoffs briefly broken down. Draft lottery Monday, and the big show starts Tuesday. Enjoy!
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