2011 Playoff Preview

Playoff Preview

It begins. In the wake of the tornado that has cost four coaches their jobs in the past few days and yet another regular season that came down to the final day before the final seeds were solidified, comes the day hockey fans have been waiting for since the pre-season – the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is here. Let’s take a look at the first-round matchups….

Eastern Conference:

(1) (1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) New York Rangers

Key to the series: Capitals confidence

I believe the early games in this series will be more crucial than any other. The Caps have endured highs and lows during the season, but they are definitely heading into the post-season on a high. They played great hockey down the stretch and just beat out the Flyers and Penguins for the East’s top spot. However, it bears mentioning that at times during their recent string of success they have looked fairly ordinary. Four of their last six games were decided in overtime or in the shoot-out. Since this year’s version of the Caps lacks the offensive punch of the past couple years, their margin for error will be slim. Add in the fact that they played very poorly against the Rangers this season, and you have a the recipe for a team that could get frustrated early if they lose early games. The Rangers have an outstanding goalie in Lundqvist and an outstanding, but relatively inexperienced blueline. It will be interesting to see how their young blue line fares against the Caps. If the Rangers win an early game or two, the playoff demons that have plagued the Caps might be out in full force. However, I predict the Caps to take control of this series early, gain lots of confidence, and close out the Rangers in 5.

Prediction: Capitals in 5 games

(2) (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Buffalo Sabres

Key to the series: Flyers offense

Here is this year’s trendy upset pick. Most people are picking the Sabres to beat the Flyers in the first round, and it isn’t hard to understand why. The Sabres are riding a nice wave heading into the playoffs while the Flyers have questions everywhere. The Flyers cruised along in first place for most of the season, but haven’t played great hockey down the stretch. The hand injury that has kept Chris Pronger out for some time and shaky goaltending have added fuel to the fire being stoked by the naysayers. However, it’s hard to discount the amount of talent the Flyers can boast. Offensive depth is key in the playoffs and the Flyers are capable of rolling three scoring lines at the Sabres, who have a middling defense corps. If the Flyers offense can get on the same page, look out. While Ryan Miller is clearly a better goaltender than anyone the Flyers have, the Flyers have a far better defense and a much more talented and deep group of forwards. The Flyers squeezed into the playoffs last year with lots of questions surrounding their goaltending and made it to within 2 wins of the Stanley Cup. I think that experience and their offensive depth will help them finish off the Sabres in 6.

Prediction: Flyers in 6 games

(3) (3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Montreal Canadiens

Key to the series: Bruins D containing Montreal’s speedy forwards

In what might be this year’s most anticipated first round matchup, we have stark contrasts of style all over. Small speedy forwards vs. large defensemen. Old, unconventional goalie vs. young hotshot. Brash young rookie vs. well, the whole Bruins team. This rivalry needs no introduction. As if the long history between these two teams wasn’t enough, the Chara hit on Pacioretty and the comments following it only heightened the intensity here. Despite all of that, I expect this to be a rather boring series. There won’t be any bench clearing brawls, goalie fights, or devastating hits. The Bruins will impose their will on the Canadiens and keep the small, speedy Habs forwards in check. PK Subban will try his best to be Sean Avery/Matt Cooke, but it won’t matter. Tim Thomas will outplay Carey Price and the Bruins will send the Habs home after 5 games.

Prediciton: Bruins in 5 games

(4) (4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Key to the series: Tampa Bay’s defense and goaltending

It’s remarkable that the Penguins managed to finish 1 point behind the Caps for the East’s #1 seed without both Crosby and Malkin for such a long portion of the season. It seemed that the tougher things got for the Pens, the more steely became their resolve. They just found ways to win hockey games. Ray Shero attempted to make up for the losses by adding James Neal and Alexei Kovalev in late season trades, but neither provided the offensive spark that was hoped for. Although Pittsburgh had a remarkable season without their two superstars, they did win a lot of their games down the stretch in the shootout. As we all know, there is no shootout in the playoffs. Tampa has a very suspect defense, and their goaltending isn’t very strong. While it’s possible that Fleury steals this series with a remarkable performance, I think the Tampa Bay offensive stars will do enough to make up for their lackluster defense. Expect a big series from Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Gagne en route to a 7 game Tampa victory in what will be an exciting but overlooked first round series.

Prediction: Lightning in 7 games

Western Conference

(1) (1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Chicago Blackhawks

Key to the series: Canucks balance

It’s really hard not to like the Canucks. They have deep and balanced scoring. They have some agitators. They have a defense corps that can match up with any group of forwards. They have great special teams. And they have an all-universe goaltender. Since they are playing their nemesis, the Blackhawks, some people are still doubting them. There is no question the Canucks have a lot to prove and the pressure is squarely on their shoulders. That’s what happens when you have the best regular season in the franchise’s history. The only blemish is the injury to Manny Malhotra. Other than that, the only thing that the doubters have on which to hang their hats is the Canucks struggles against the Hawks in the past. Well, the Hawks are banking on an inexperienced goalie for the second straight year, and I don’t think it’s going to work for them this time around. The Canucks are too deep, too good, and too confident to think the Hawks are going to win because they are “in the Canucks’ heads.” Vancouver finishes the Hawks in 6.

Prediction: Canucks in 6 games

(2) (2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles

Key to the series: Kopitar’s absence

The Kings are the Western Conference’s version of the Penguins. With Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams out, they just won’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Sharks. The Kings are going to have to try to rely on their outstanding defense in trying to steal this series. Dustin Brown is going to have to step up his game in the absence of Kopitar and Jonathan Quick is going to have to stand on his head. The Sharks have a great mix of experienced veterans like Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle and young players like Devin Setoguchi and rookie of the year candidate Logan Couture. They also have Stanley Cup winner Antti Niemi in goal. The absence of Kopitar and Williams will be too much for the Sharks to overcome. The Sharks will win a hard fought series that will go 7.

Prediction: Sharks in 7 games

(3) (3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix

Key to the series: The play of Ilya Bryzgalov

Just as the Hawks have had the Canucks’ number in the postseason so have the Red Wings had the Coyotes’ number. That’s about to change. Although the future of the franchise in Phoenix remains murky, the team continues to work hard and prove people wrong. You can’t ask for a more dedicated or respected veteran than Shane Doan to help lead your team. In almost every postseason there’s a goalie who comes along and flat-out steals a series. I’m taking Bryzgalov to do that here. The Coyotes have a steady, if unspectacular, defense and a hard working group of forwards. The Wings have had inconsistent goaltending to go along with injury problems that have plagued them all year long. Even though the Wings are supremely talented, and still a force to be reckoned with, this is the series in which I’m going with my gut rather than my head. I’ll take the Coyotes in 6.

Prediction: Coyotes in 6 games

(4) (4) Anaheim vs. (5) Nashville

Key to the series: Anaheim’s big three vs. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne has an opportunity here to elevate himself into an elite NHL goaltender. The Ducks power trio of Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan have an opportunity to show everyone that they are the best line in the league. This series will be about the Nashville defense and Rinne trying to contain the Ducks big 3. It’s virtually impossible to shut them down, but if Nashville can contain them, they win this series. The Ducks do not have great depth on either offense or defense. They rely heavily on their big 3, and I’m not a fan of teams that rely so heavily on a handful of players. Every team needs their big guys to step up, but it’s the role players and second tier players that make the difference between a contender and a pretender. The Ducks have done a remarkable job overcoming a dreadful start to the season (they were outscored 13-2 en route to an 0-3 start and were 4-7-1 at one point before turning things around), and Corey Perry has had a Hart trophy worthy season. However, the continued absence of Jonas Hiller and the lack of depth on the Ducks will lead to the Predators suffocating the Ducks’ big three and ending the series in 6 gsames.

Prediciton: Predators in 6 games