The NHL Playoffs never disappoints. The worst playoffs in recent memory was probably in 2012, when the Western Conference was an absolute disaster of upsets and blowout series (only three of 7 series went more than 5 games) - but that still had the whole suspension madness in the 1st round, and of course a surprise run to the SCF by my Devils.
Even this year, only two series went 7 games, but every single series had something to love:
NYR vs PIT - Watching the Penguins choke again!
WAS vs NYI - Closing out Nassau Coliseum, and a very well played and close game 7
TBL vs DET - Seeing a team grow up before our eyes in Detroit, and another really good game 7
MTL vs OTT - The end of the hamburgler, and a mni-comeback before a really tense game 6
STL vs MIN - OK, this series was pretty much a waste
NSH vs CHI - A good rivalry with two OT games and three great games
ANA vs WIN - It was a sweep, but had that incredibly dramatic, energized Game 3 in Winnipeg
VAN vs CGY - Probably the best played series, with incredible intensity and energy from the crowds
Anyway, let's get to Round 2, which really sets up nicely this year
Eastern Conference
(M1) New York Rangers vs (M2) Washington Capitals
This is a different Capitals team. The Capitals have tried to embrace defense before. In 2010-11, with Dale Hunter as coach, they tried to play more two-way hockey. They got the #1 seed in the east, but then bowed out in Round 2 to Tampa Bay in a sweep. This is different, they are embracing defense not by having their top offensive players do it, but by getting in guys who can play that way (Glencross, Niskanen, Orpik). The Capitals have something going on, they just dominated that game 7. The Rangers are a better, deeper team than the Islanders. They can roll lines better than any team in the East. There has to be some concern that all their wins were by 1 goal against a bad, struggling Pittsburgh team, but that really shows that they can hold their composure in close games. These two teams have quite a history, meeting in the playoffs in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and now this year. The Rangers won the last two, but the Caps won the first two. All but one of those went seven games - so I think history repeats and this one goes 7 as well. I'll take the Rangers because of home ice, but part of me wants to see both these teams advance. I like seeing HOF-level players win a title at least once, and both these teams have those guys (Lundqvist and Ovie). One will continue his chance, and I think it will be the handsome Swedish goalie.
Rangers in 7
(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning
These two teams met last year. That time the Lightning were higher ranked, but were swept. They were missing Ben Bishop - the guy who played awesome in Game 7 against Detroit. Montreal also had a lot more offensive firepower and depth last year. This year the Canadiens are more defense and goaltending - a pure opposite than the high-flying, fast Lightning. The Lightning, though, have a few holes. Steven Stamkos is either not healthy or has the yips. Their team got shut-out twice by Mrazek, and Carey Price is an upgrade. However, I do think the other side is what will win this matchup for TB. Ben Bishop is playing really well, and the Lightning defense and goal-tending, as a whole, is a lot better than people thing/.
Even this year, only two series went 7 games, but every single series had something to love:
NYR vs PIT - Watching the Penguins choke again!
WAS vs NYI - Closing out Nassau Coliseum, and a very well played and close game 7
TBL vs DET - Seeing a team grow up before our eyes in Detroit, and another really good game 7
MTL vs OTT - The end of the hamburgler, and a mni-comeback before a really tense game 6
STL vs MIN - OK, this series was pretty much a waste
NSH vs CHI - A good rivalry with two OT games and three great games
ANA vs WIN - It was a sweep, but had that incredibly dramatic, energized Game 3 in Winnipeg
VAN vs CGY - Probably the best played series, with incredible intensity and energy from the crowds
Anyway, let's get to Round 2, which really sets up nicely this year
Eastern Conference
(M1) New York Rangers vs (M2) Washington Capitals
This is a different Capitals team. The Capitals have tried to embrace defense before. In 2010-11, with Dale Hunter as coach, they tried to play more two-way hockey. They got the #1 seed in the east, but then bowed out in Round 2 to Tampa Bay in a sweep. This is different, they are embracing defense not by having their top offensive players do it, but by getting in guys who can play that way (Glencross, Niskanen, Orpik). The Capitals have something going on, they just dominated that game 7. The Rangers are a better, deeper team than the Islanders. They can roll lines better than any team in the East. There has to be some concern that all their wins were by 1 goal against a bad, struggling Pittsburgh team, but that really shows that they can hold their composure in close games. These two teams have quite a history, meeting in the playoffs in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and now this year. The Rangers won the last two, but the Caps won the first two. All but one of those went seven games - so I think history repeats and this one goes 7 as well. I'll take the Rangers because of home ice, but part of me wants to see both these teams advance. I like seeing HOF-level players win a title at least once, and both these teams have those guys (Lundqvist and Ovie). One will continue his chance, and I think it will be the handsome Swedish goalie.
Rangers in 7
(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning
These two teams met last year. That time the Lightning were higher ranked, but were swept. They were missing Ben Bishop - the guy who played awesome in Game 7 against Detroit. Montreal also had a lot more offensive firepower and depth last year. This year the Canadiens are more defense and goaltending - a pure opposite than the high-flying, fast Lightning. The Lightning, though, have a few holes. Steven Stamkos is either not healthy or has the yips. Their team got shut-out twice by Mrazek, and Carey Price is an upgrade. However, I do think the other side is what will win this matchup for TB. Ben Bishop is playing really well, and the Lightning defense and goal-tending, as a whole, is a lot better than people thing/.
