Previewing Lord Stanley’s Playoff (Part One - Eastern Conference)

The big boys douse you with all kinds of stats and interesting nuggets of knowledge, I am here to just give my opinion. Here is my preview of the greatest playoff tournament in sports, except for of course Women’s College Basketball.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington vs. (8) Montreal

Washington fans are (President’s) Cup Crazy, meaning they Googled what that trophy was three months ago; in a month they find out what happens to those who possess it in the postseason. Not yet though, Caps in 5, only drama in this one is how fast Texas Ted strokes his fan base's ego by saying they are louder and more awesome than Habs fans.

(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Philadelphia

Set the alarm clock if you’re watching this one and need to get up for work the next day. Yes this is the NHL equivalent to a Nascar race with Jersey clogging up the neutral zone and trapping like it's Return of the Jedi. The whole rivalry angle could be played up, if Devils fans consisted of more people than the cast of Jersey Shore. Flyers won the season series 5-1 and some of those games weren’t even close, Flyers in Six.

(3) Buffalo vs. (6) Boston

If you like goalie match ups and tight low scoring games Bob Barker wants you to come on down. This will be a fun hockey series to watch for a true hockey aficionado, stellar goaltending with Miller and Rask/Thomas, division rivals, well played systematic defense. Buffalo was 2-2-2 in the season series and four of the games were decided by one goal, with one decided in a shoot out. My gut tells me Boston wins this one in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Ottawa

Playing for the third time in four years, with neither previous series being all that close, this go around has the feeling of a really bad movie that keeps getting made over and over again, think Saw 1 - 112. The Penguins have too much depth and are a seasoned playoff team going against a playoff virgin in Senators goaltender Brian Elliott. Unless Elliott plays lights out and Ottawa gets huge production out of Alfredsson, Fisher and Spezza expect a quick one, Penguins in 5.

Five Predictions For the East

1. Nicklas Backstrom has more points in the postseason than Ovechkin because he is a better all around hockey player.

2. Kovalchuk continues his playoff disappearing act.

3. Capitals win the series, but Theodore looks shaky especially in the games at Montreal and a goalie controversy emerges in our Nation's Capital.

4. Jordan Staal has three goals and five points in the first round.

5. Senators hopefully never do anything like this ever again.