Playoff Predictions: Eastern Conference

Washington Capitals (1st Seed) vs. New York Rangers (8th Seed)
Prediction: Washington Capitals

Offence: Washington
Defence: Washington
Goaltending: New York
Coaching: Washington
Special Teams: Washington

The analysis above might leave you pretty unclear but I will do my best to explain. Given that the Rangers score goals in bundles and arguably have the better defencemen, I still think that the Washington Capitals play better team defence and are able to generate offence... they just choose not to. Their offence is solid and can play both ends of the ice. With the addition of Arnott and Dennis Wideman they are a much deeper team. These aren't the run and gun capitals that are going to be effected by the better goaltender IMO. Washington can play so many styles and hurt you in so many ways. They finished the season second in the leauge on the PK and have shown that they can play the defence needed to win a cup.

I would be shocked if Lundqist stands on his head and takes the Rangers past the Capitals. The Rangers have a better chance of Gaborik getting injured then getting past Ovechkin and the Capitals. Still, the Rangers have had the capitals number this year and will probably cause more trouble then anticipated.



Philadelphia Flyer (2nd Seed) vs. Buffalo Sabres (7th Seed)
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers

Offence: Philadelphia
Defence: Philadelphia
Goaltending: Buffalo
Coaching: Buffalo
Special Teams: Buffalo

Despite having a terrible end to the season and questionmarks in goal, the Philadelphia Flyers have to be the favourite in this match. Obviously don't have the goaltending that the Buffalo Sabres in Ryan Miller but I would still have to give them the go-ahead in this series. They have extraordinary depth down the middle and one of the best defences in the leauge. I have my worries that the team will rebound and put on their playoff shoes but given the damage they did last year with arguably a weaker roster... I don't see them being knocked out of the first round. One thing is for sure, they have to be better on special teams. They are 15th in the leauge on the PK and 19th on the powerplay. If they can stay out of the box they should win this series.

To be fair I like Buffalo more and wouldn't be surpised if Ryan Miller stands on his head and steals a few games. With Hecht, Roy, and Leoplold likely out it will be a challenge for the rest of the offence. I think they have it in them to outscore Philly but their defence isn't nearly as good as the Flyers.



Boston Bruins (3rd Seed) vs. Montreal Canadiens (6th Seed)
Prediction: Boston Bruins

Offence: Boston
Defence: Boston
Goaltending: Boston
Coaching: Montreal
Special Teams: Montreal

The way I see it, if Boston ends up overpaying for Kaberle and are eliminated from the playoffs in the first round they are going to look bad. Not only does Boston have the best goaltender in the leauge with Tim Thomas, I have always thought that Carey Price has been overrated. Sure he is the saviour in Montreal and has even challenged for the best goaltender this year but Thomas isn't just the best... hes the best by far. As far as offence goes the bruins are deeper down the middle and play playoff hockey. Defence is hard to argue with Kaberle and Chara being better then anything Montreal has to offer.

I know Montreal has the better head-to-head record but that is for the most part without Kaberle. They obviously have the better special teams and will have to rely on price to stand on his head to win this series. The fast Canadiens will always be a great rival of the bruins but IMO don't have the depth to score 5 on 5. The Bruins have 4 guys that have scored over 50 points while Montreal just has one. It should be a great series after the Max Pacioretty hit.



Pittsburgh Penguins (4th Seed) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5th Seed)
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning

Offence: Tampa Bay
Defence: Pittsburgh
Goaltending: Pittsburgh
Coaching: Pittsburgh
Special Teams: Tampa Bay

With Crosby and Malkin possibly missing the playoffs and a roster that has been picked apart since their stanley cup win, I wouldn't put my money on the Penguins. I guess this is really the only upset that im predicting and for good reason. The Penguins were 25th in leauge on the powerplay while Tampa was 6th in the NHL. The Penguins had the best PK while Tampa wasn't too far off at 8th. With Crosby out their leading scorer was Kris Letang with 50 points. After that it was Chris Kunitz with 48, Tim Kennedy with 45, Pascal Dupuis with 37 and Matt Cooke with 30 points. Even if we exclued St.Louis's 99 points and Stamkos with his 91 points the Lightning look much deeper. They have Vincent Lecavalier with 54 points, Teddy Purcell with 51, Simon Gagne with 40 points, and Ryan Malone with 38 points.

Having said that, their are still concerns with it comes to Tampa Bay's defence and goaltending. I think Roloson's .912 save percentage is good enough to give them a chance every game and is only 0.06 points behind Fleury's .918. Now im not saying he's as good but I don't think he will hurt the team either. I think Clark, Hedman, Brewer, Ohlund and Kubina are solid but wish their was more. Letang, Martin and Michalek are clearly ahead.

Stay tuned for tomorrow for the Western Conference!

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