EASTERN CONFERENCE
WHY: Two weeks ago, New Jersey was the "trendy pick," for Cup champions. But since Brodeur set the all-time wins by a goalie record on Tuesday, March 17 the Devils have gone 3-9-1. The goaltending has slumped and their defense leaves much to be desired. They haven't been past the second round since 2003 and their playoff record hasn't been pretty, including losing in 5 games with home-ice advantage in the first round last year. Can they pick up some confidence boosting wins before April 14?
WHY: Carolina is another one of those teams to be avoided in the first round this year. I can't really think of why to play them. They're just a solid hockey team, they're not amazing but they won't go down easy.
WHY: Boston has been solid all season, is second in the league with 112 points, and have already clinched the Eastern conference title. Like the Sharks, it's hard to figure out why you'd want to play them. After consistent play the entire season, they did show they were human after going through a tough stretch of losses a little while back. That's about it for weaknesses.
WHY NOT: Tim Thomas. Boston's goalie has been on top of his game all year, leading the league in goals against average (2.07) and save percentage (.933). On a team lacking a super-duper star, but that can still score, this level of goaltending is just what the doctor ordered for a Stanley Cup run.
WHY: Devensively, this is the worst Eastern conference team in the playoffs (tied with Pittsburgh) allowing an average of 2.89 goals per game. Goalie Jose Theodore is towards the bottom of the pack in save percentage (9.01) and goals against average (2.82). Sure they can score, but in the playoffs everybody can score. If you can't keep the puck out of your own net, you're not moving on.
WHY NOT: Alex Ovechkin is arguably the most exciting player in the NHL today. He easily leads the league in goals with with 55 (the next closest is Jeff Carter from PHI. with 45) and is second in the overall points standing with 108. Ovechkin can single handedly turn a game around. Throw in defensemen Mike Green, who earlier in the season became only the eighth defensemen to score 30+ goals in a season, and a potent offense that averages 3.25 goals per game; they could be tough to beat.
WHY: Two weeks ago, New Jersey was the "trendy pick," for Cup champions. But since Brodeur set the all-time wins by a goalie record on Tuesday, March 17 the Devils have gone 3-9-1. The goaltending has slumped and their defense leaves much to be desired. They haven't been past the second round since 2003 and their playoff record hasn't been pretty, including losing in 5 games with home-ice advantage in the first round last year. Can they pick up some confidence boosting wins before April 14?WHY NOT: The New Jersey Devils are a playoff machine. They have been in the playoffs the past 15 seasons, including a Cup win in 2003. They Devils are, and always have been, a defensive minded hockey team. For the most part, they have the ability to shut down all kinds of offensive schemes. And who wants to shoot a puck at a goal with Martin Brodeur inbetween the pipes?
WHY: An experienced yet weak defensive squad (2.84 GAA) coupled with an unproven goaltender could mean a short playoff life for the Flyers. They're not very deep either, with only their top line able of producing consistently.
WHY NOT: As a friend put it, "That top line is gooooood." The Flyers have a 3.20 GFA that includes center Jeff Carter, who is second in the NHL in goals, tallying 45 thus far. And if they can pull out victories in their upcoming games with the Rangers, they'll have home ice advantage.
WHY: Carolina is another one of those teams to be avoided in the first round this year. I can't really think of why to play them. They're just a solid hockey team, they're not amazing but they won't go down easy.WHY NOT: Goalie Cam Ward has been spectacular this year, as he was in 2006, when was named the MVP of the playoffs as his team won the Stanley Cup. As for right now, this team is 9-1-0 in their last 10, including nine straight wins. They score, they play tight defense, and they don't commit penalties. This team could even be a dark horse to make it deep into the playoffs. Keep an eye on Carolina.
WHY: Earlier this season, the Penguins were on the verge of not even making the playoffs. After firing the head coach, things turned around. So they're playing with confidence now, but the players are the same as they were at the beginning of the year.
WHY NOT: They made it to the Cup finals last year, and they've been playing great hockey for the second half of the season. They're lead by two of the league's top scorers, Evgeni Malkin (112) in first, and Sydney Crosby (103) in third.
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