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Eastern Conference Playoff Preview
It’s crystal ball time! Let’s see what we can dig up this year.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the Eastern matchups with regular season records
and stats. Perhaps we’ll tell you what that
is saying too. "Better Not Tell You Now"? Nah, we’re shaking this
thing until it says "It Is Certain"; and if we’re wrong? "Ask
Again Later."
The Habs have made a good run to secure a
playoff spot the last few weeks of the season, and the return of Saku
Koivu should give them some great inspiration. In the end, the Bruins just
have too many weapons, and too much grit not to get out of the first
round, despite the slide recently. An upset here would not give anyone a
heart attack though if each team mimics the play of the last 5 games of
the season.
Fight Fans:
These two Original Six teams didn’t punch it
up too much in the regular season, and it’s unlikely they will in the
playoffs. If the Habs get out to an early lead in any game, and Robbie
Ftorek has Stock or Bonvie in the lineup, you might see something. Don’t
set your expectations high here.
The Senators had swept the series against the
Leafs last year in the regular season. They also got banged around and
knocked out of the playoffs by that same checking Leafs team. Why should
anything change this year? Well, it won’t. Despite the Sens winning the
season series, the Flyers are built more for the playoffs then these Sens.
Zdeno Chara was a nice acquisition for the Sens in the offseason, but a
few hitting men are what the Senators needed. Big Z just won’t be enough
here.
Fight Fans:
Unlikely, but it depends how much Chris Neil plays. Z could go if the score
gets out of hand, but will likely avoid the chance of getting hurt.
If it weren’t for the division crown, the
Canes would be in the 7th spot. Then again, they also get to play Florida,
Tampa Bay and Atlanta more then any other playoff team. Irbe isn’t
Brodeur, as if I had to point that out. Depth is also on the Devils side.
Will there actually be attendance in either place? Hope so, empty stands
aren’t fun in the playoffs. The trap by both teams will make this series
pretty dull, so if you go, bring a pillow.
Fight Fans:
This is a rematch of last year’s opening round, but don’t expect there to be
too much bad blood. They’re just not those kind of teams. They did have one
game in six with a few fights last year as the Canes thought they were close
to being swept. After those bouts they won the next two games, so perhaps
they’ll be feistier this time around. Doubt it, but we can hope, otherwise,
this is a real snooze-fest.
A returning CuJo against Osgood’s Isles. CuJo
has the hype, Ozzie has the rings. Although the Islanders took the season
series, a team like the Leafs plays hard during playoff time, having
acquired the grit specifically for this time of year over the last couple
of seasons. Both teams like to play an open style, and it should be a fun
one to watch. The last game between the two featured a stunning Islanders
comeback in Toronto. More heart will win this one, and the Islanders have
that as of late.
Fight Fans:
Even with Domi and Cairns, don’t look for the heavyweights here. A lighter
matchup of Corson-Scatchard or Tucker-Van Impe is more likely. Neither team
is going to give up, so expect something in game 3 or 4.
