Wednesday, April 16, 2014

2014 NHL Playoffs Round 1 Preview: Eastern Conference

(A1) Boston Bruins vs. (W2) Detroit Red Wings

The Bruins are  the best team in the East, but they may have a tough time against a Wings teams that has shown how deep it is. Boston does have the all around edge in all three areas (offense, defense, and goaltending). Detroit did win the season series, so they have shown that they aren't going to be pushovers. In the end, having Datsyuk and Zetterberg injured will not help the Wings push through, and the Bruins will grind them down as the series gets longer. Bruins in six.

(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens

This might be a weird series. Both teams have fire power, Tampa probably has an edge on defense while the Habs have a clear advantage in goal. It might come down to whose better structurally, and well...lets say one coach is in contention for the Jack Adams and the other plays Douglas Murray as much as his #1 defenseman. I do think that the Habs can build a lead while the Lightning's top goalie is out, but it seems like this series will go long (thanks Therrien). Canadiens in seven.

(M1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (W1) Columbus Blue Jackets

Two big questions about this series:
  1. Will 'Lumbus win their first playoff game?
  2. Will Fleury realize it's the playoffs?
It's hard to not pick Pittsburgh, as they have the advantage in basically every area (minus goaltending). Pittsburg had little trouble sweeping the season series. While Fleury has been a sieve in recent playoffs, I doubt the Penguins go down in the first round this year (plus Vokoun is now healthy). Columbus will win at least one game though. Penguins in five.

(M2) New York Rangers vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers may have an advantage in offense, but the Rangers have the defense and goaltending to fend them off. And speaking of goaltending, I can't see the Flyers going anywhere without having decent goaltending (Mason isn't the answer). Unless the Flyers can pull it together in their own end, this series doesn't last long. Rangers in five.

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