Eastern Conference:
(1) NY Rangers vs (7) Washington Capitals
Notes: The past two playoff meetings in this series, the Capitals had home ice advantage. However, this time is a role reversal where the Capitals are the lower seed having to go to New York for Games 1 and 2 and if necessary Game's 5 and 7. But home ice does not mean anything in this playoffs, hence Round 1. The 1st series is considered the toughest one to win in the playoffs, but it only gets harder even if the pressure might be slightly less. This series will be very tricky for both teams. The Capitals have finally figured out how to be strong defensively and play more of that grind out style of hockey and Braden Holtby is the real deal, but can he handle the pressure for another series. However, I think Lundqvist will have a strong series and I think the Rangers will score those timely goals and Kreider will be a secret weapon.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
(5) Philadelphia Flyers vs (6) New Jersey Devils
Notes: After a hard fought 7 game series against the Panthers, the Devils run into the best offensive team in the NHL in the Flyers. Two years ago, these two teams met in Round 1 and the Flyers humiliated the Devils in 5 games. This series will come down to special teams in my mind. The Devils penalty kill, which broke all sorts of records during the regular season has struggled in Round 1 against Florida, but can they fix it in 48 hours. However, unfortunately the Flyers are just too deep offensively for the Devils and Martin Brodeur to handle no matter how bad Bryzgalov is.
Prediction: Flyers in 5
Western Conference:
(2) St. Louis Blues vs (8) Los Angeles Kings
Notes: This series will come down to one thing and one thing only, goaltending. Both Elliott and Quick had stellar regular seasons. Both teams special teams have been very good in Round 1 and both offenses love to play and have that physical edge.
Prediction: Blues in 7
(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs (4) Nashville Predators
Notes: Not much to say on this series, but it is a match-up of two similar style teams. However, I think one team has a lot more riding in this series that the other.
Prediction: Predators in 6
(1) NY Rangers vs (7) Washington Capitals
Notes: The past two playoff meetings in this series, the Capitals had home ice advantage. However, this time is a role reversal where the Capitals are the lower seed having to go to New York for Games 1 and 2 and if necessary Game's 5 and 7. But home ice does not mean anything in this playoffs, hence Round 1. The 1st series is considered the toughest one to win in the playoffs, but it only gets harder even if the pressure might be slightly less. This series will be very tricky for both teams. The Capitals have finally figured out how to be strong defensively and play more of that grind out style of hockey and Braden Holtby is the real deal, but can he handle the pressure for another series. However, I think Lundqvist will have a strong series and I think the Rangers will score those timely goals and Kreider will be a secret weapon.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
(5) Philadelphia Flyers vs (6) New Jersey Devils
Notes: After a hard fought 7 game series against the Panthers, the Devils run into the best offensive team in the NHL in the Flyers. Two years ago, these two teams met in Round 1 and the Flyers humiliated the Devils in 5 games. This series will come down to special teams in my mind. The Devils penalty kill, which broke all sorts of records during the regular season has struggled in Round 1 against Florida, but can they fix it in 48 hours. However, unfortunately the Flyers are just too deep offensively for the Devils and Martin Brodeur to handle no matter how bad Bryzgalov is.
Prediction: Flyers in 5
Western Conference:
(2) St. Louis Blues vs (8) Los Angeles Kings
Notes: This series will come down to one thing and one thing only, goaltending. Both Elliott and Quick had stellar regular seasons. Both teams special teams have been very good in Round 1 and both offenses love to play and have that physical edge.
Prediction: Blues in 7
(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs (4) Nashville Predators
Notes: Not much to say on this series, but it is a match-up of two similar style teams. However, I think one team has a lot more riding in this series that the other.
Prediction: Predators in 6
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