Writer Forgets To Put Up Playoff Predictions.....Stupid Head

I know that it's a little late to be predicting playoff series, but here's what I thought was going to happen in the East, regardless of what's going on now:

Washington Capitals versus New York Rangers:

Capitals in seven

I figured that the Rangers shot blocking and solid team defense would allow them to hang tough with a team that they beat in the season series. Unfortunately, it's looking like the Caps may end them sooner than that, unless the Rangers can continue the momentum that they built in a controversial game three.

Philadelphia Flyers versus Buffalo Sabres:

Sabres in six

I thought that the Sabres would carry their hot streak right into the playoffs to make an easy end of the middling Flyers. So far, that's not really happening. The Flyers have stepped it up, and the Sabres have not.


Boston Bruins versus Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens in seven

I hate the intangibles on the Bruins. The roster is full of talented players who have bad habits of disappearing at crunch time. Plus, anyone who is smart enough to realize that Tim Thomas gives up more goals off rebounds than anyone else in the NHL would crash the net against the B's, just like the Habs have been doing. Add in the fact that this Canadiens team is essentially the same as last years (only with better defensemen, forwards, and arguably a better goaltender). Price has stepped up, and he's going to carry them through.


Pittsburgh Penguins versus Tampa Bay Lightning


Penguins in six


Team defense and secondary scoring trumps Martin St. Louis any day. The Penguins have been in playoff mode for months, have a deep and rugged roster, have been in the playoffs many times before, and have a better defensive corps. At the end of the day, the Lightning just have too many holes on the back end. If Fluery falters the Bolts may have a chance, but this isn't last year. Fleury now has an elite group of blue liners keeping him looking ahead to the second round.