2009 Playoff Outlook Eastern Conference 1st Round

It's that time folks, let the beards grow and your interest in your girlfriend drop. That's right, the playoffs are here and the NHL has to be ecstatic with some of the first round match pairings. It's the time of year where legends are made, stars are born, and dreams become shattered, and I'll be here to take by the hand step by step through this years spectacle on ice. For all the gambling men out there get ready to call your bookies, because these are my expert picks.

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Bruins vs 8) Montreal Canadiens

Preview - This series was thought to happen much later in the playoffs at the beginning of the season. The Montreal Canadiens were predicted to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference as they did last season, but failed to do so in a sub par year for them. The Bruins however played well beyond what many expected of them and were a head above the rest of the conference for the majority of the season. This match up is a rematch of the 2008 playoffs in which the Canadiens won in 7 games. However, the tables are turned this year and the Habs happen to be the underdog. Tim Thomas (out of Davison HS in Davison, Michigan) may be this years recipient of the Vezina Trophy, and has already won the Bill Masterton Award (Best Goals Against Average as a team). With a stud defensemen like Zdeno Chara in front of him it is hard to imagine that his production will slide in the playoffs.

Prediction - Bruins in 6, behind strong defense and great goal tending. Boston will overpower the Habs in this series and Montreal fans will be praying for Vinny Lecavalier shortly thereafter.

2) Washington Capitals vs 7) New York Rangers

Preview - The Washington Capitals have one of the most impressive offenses in the entire NHL, it's no surprise that Alex Ovechkin is the leader of that offense. With 268 goals (3rd in NHL, 56 from AO) the Capitals will be looking to crack the tough defense that the Rangers possess. NYR has one of the top goalies in Henrik Lundqvist and are 6th in the leagues allowing only 212 goals. With a young defense, and an underachieving set of forwards (Scott Gomez and Chris Drury among others) the Rangers are going to have trouble keeping up with the offensive minded Caps. Stranger things have happened though and maybe experience will become a factor.

Prediction - Caps in 7
While I am not all that impressed with the still one trick pony Caps, I just don't believe that the Rangers have the firepower to keep up with them. Nor do i believe that the Rangers defense is good enough to stop Ovechkin. Look for a long series here with a possible upset only if Lundqvist turns in an MVP performance.

3) New Jersey Devils vs 6) Carolina Hurricanes

Preview - The New Jersey Devils are once again in the top 3 in the Eastern Conference. The only team to even come close to rivaling the Red Wings when it comes to consistency. I have become a big fan of the Devils for one reason and one reason only...Martin Brodeur, best goalie ever. Without Brodeur, nobody is talking about the Devils as a sucessful franchise and nobody cares about Jersey. Carolina is a team that i am skeptical about. Yes they did win a Stanley Cup, but i believe it was a fluke (One of the worst Stanley Cups of all time, IMO). The Hurricanes like to prove me wrong though, and i wouldn't be completely shocked if they play the Devils better than most people expect.

Prediction - Devils in 5. Marty Brodeur....Enough Said

4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs 5) Philadelphia Flyers

Preview - The Series that the higher up are salivating over. The Pittsburgh Penguins w/ the Prodigal Child Sidney Crosby, and the Art Ross Trophy winner (Most Points) Evgeni Malkin. Unfortunately for them, their goaltender is as streaky as Todd Jones. The Flyers are qute possibly my favorite team in the East due to the fact that they are so well rounded. Their goalie Marty Biron caught fire at the right time of the season and this series will more than likely be the best of the first round.

Prediction - Flyers in 7. This series could really go either way, but i believe the difference will be the goalies. Whichever one gets hot should win the series.



Western Conference coming in a couple of hours