The Eastern Conference playoffs get underway on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. The remaining three series get underway in the following days. Here is a look at each of the four Easter Conference playoff series.
Boston Bruins (Atlantic Winner) vs. Detroit Red Wings (Wild Card 2)
The Boston Bruins won the Presidents trophy and are arguably the best team in the league. The Bruins made a deep run to the finals a year ago where they lost in six against Chicago. The squad is arguably better this season and should be considered an early favorite to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Red Wings meanwhile limped into the playoffs and it looks like age is catching up to Mike Babcock's team. The Wings did win three of four from the Bruins this year so it is impossible to count them out.
Prediction: Boston wins in four games.
Pittsburgh Penguins (Metropolitan Winners) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Wild Card 1)
The Blue Jackets make a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09. However, the team is a heavy underdog in this series for a number of reasons. The team lacks major superstars or even well-known playoff performers. The Penguins meanwhile won the Cup in 2009 and are always seen as perennial favorites to make a deep run. Moreover, the Penguins won all five games from the Blue Jackets in the season series and are the uncontested favorites to win this series.
The big question here is whether Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will play the way he did in the regular season or the way he played in the playoffs in 2012-13. He was pulled from the first round after imploding against the Islanders and barely saw time the rest of the way. The Blue Jackets have Sergei Bobrovsky manning the nets and have the distinct advantage here. If Fleury flops again then there is no reason why the Jackets cannot win this series.
Prediction: The Blue Jackets stun the Penguins and win in seven.
NY Rangers (Metropolitan 2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (Metropolitan 3)
The two rivals split the season series this year and will probably provide the most interesting matchup of the entire first round.
The big question here is whether Steve Mason will finally live up to his status in the playoffs. The goalie flopped for Columbus back in 2008-09 against the Red Wings and was not the same Calder Winner thereafter. He regained his form this year in Philadelphia but must now prove himself in the playoffs.
The Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in the net and have the clear advantage at that position. Martin St. Louis will be looked upon to provide a huge leadership boost for this team in the postseason. He only scored one goal and eight points in 19 games to finish out the season and will need to step up if this side is to make a deep run.
Claude Giroux could be the pivotal player in this series. He has the superstar status and ability to take control of the series on his own and the Flyers will need him to do just that.
Prediction: Flyers win in seven games.
Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic 2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (Atlantic 3)
Another intriguing matchup that features superstar Steven Stamkos against Olympic gold-medal goalie Carey Price. The Lightning also have goalie Ben Bishop who is coming off his best season yet. The Lightning had the eighth best offense in the league while the Canadiens were 19th; defensively Tampa Bay was 11th while Montreal was eighth. This series is likely to be filled with great goaltending and defending.
Stamkos is the big factor here. He is undoubtedly the best player on the ice for either side and if he can hit his scoring stride, then Montreal will have no chance.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins in six games.