2013 Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference

(1) Florida Panthers vs. (8) Boston Bruins

OFFENSE:

 The Sedins along with Toews provided a lot of the offense this year for the Bruins. Henrik Zetterberg put up decent numbers since coming over from Vancouver, but they will want more from him in the playoffs. Kane and Tavares both proved to be disappointing all season long. The Panthers also struggled with secondary scoring, but the addition of Mikko Koivu late in the season helped that. Sidney Crosby and Patrik Elias proved to be a deadly 1-2 punch all season.

ADVANTAGE: PANTHERS

DEFENCE AND GOALTENDING:

 Florida is strong on the back end, albeit a bit young, which could show some inexperience in the playoffs. Sami Salo the lone veteran will have to shoulder a lot of minutes. Jonathan Quick was excellent in net all year and is a likely Vezina winner. A nominee is in net for Boston; Ondrej Pavelec was stellar since being acquired. The Bruins might have a shaky 3^rd pairing but with Zdeno Chara on the blueline, it will stymie any offense.

ADVANTAGE: SLIGHTLY BRUINS

PREDICTION: PANTHERS IN 6

The Panthers were a game away from the cup finals a year ago, and they are even hungrier this time around. Boston has underachieved the past 2 years, and are definitely not a push over.

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (7) Washington Capitals

OFFENSE:

Like a lot of teams in the league, the Senators were held back on secondary scoring. But they have plenty of talent in the lineup creating for deep lines that have size and that can score. Johan Franzen seemed to find his touch in Washington scoring 43 goals. The Capitals are not as deep but have a lot of size and grit as well. Kaleta could prove to be even extra pesty in this series.

ADVANTAGE: OTTAWA

DEFENCE AND GOALTENDING:

 The Capitals hold a very good and veteran heavy blueline with Campbell and Pronger.  JS Giguere wasn’t the best goalie this season but he held them in all season and picked up wins.  The Senators blueline is younger but even more talented with players that can put up offense and play strong defense. Price had a down year from his standard but expect him to put it in to next gear in the playoffs.

ADVANTAGE: OTTAWA

PREDICTION:  OTTAWA IN 4

 The Capitals do have a strong team but the Senators are just stronger in every area.

(3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) New York Rangers

OFFENSE:

Steve Ott was a good signing in the off-season for the playoffs, but no one expected him to put up a MVP type season. Guys like Ott and Latendresse may have overachieved but they are riding a hot streak in to the playoffs. Though the Devils are weak on the other 3 lines, the have enough physical presence to thrive in the playoffs. No one really stepped up on the Rangers despite the talent. There has been a big hole on offense since Marleau was dealt; Stastny did his best to fill but still not enough. But they still have more talent in 4 lines than the rivals across the harbour.

ADVANTAGE: RANGERS

DEFENCE AND GOALTENDING:

 The Rangers have a good D with Staal and McDonagh, but Marc-Andre Fleury wasn’t the greatest this year and has been shaky in the past in the playoffs. All 6 of the Devils defense are over 30 and capable of racking up big minutes. Visnovsky is a Norris nominee, while Miikka Kiprusoff will look to get back to his old self in the playoffs.

ADVANTAGE: NEW JERSEY

PREDICTION: NEW JERSEY IN 7

 The Devils may not be as strong up front but with the veteran presence on D and in net, they have the ability to claw out a win in this series.

(4) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (5) New York Islanders

OFFENSE:

 David Legwand and David Bolland proved to be vital in last year’s cup win, and it doesn’t look like there is any hangover.  The Islanders have 3 really good centres, headlined by Mike Fisher who had over 100 points this season. There is plenty of firepower for the Islanders, with three 30 goal scorers on the team.

ADVANTAGE: ISLANDERS

DEFENCE AND GOALTENDING:

 Streit and Meszaros were excellent all season, while the other two pairs proved to be just as good eating up minutes. Henrik Lundqvist continues to show why he is one of the best in the league and he can help any team win in any game. One thing the Lightning have that others don’t, is fire power from the backend with the likes of Bergeron, Kronwall and Del Zotto, that will cause problems for any team. While Pekka Rinne wasn’t as dominate as he was a year ago, he knows how to win and with a Conn Smythe on his resume, it’s hard to bet against him.

ADVANTAGE: TAMPA BAY

PREDICTION:  TAMPA BAY IN 7

 Islanders are a very good team, but hard to bet against a team that has already done it.