Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview

(D1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC2) New York Islanders

Prediction: Leafs (D3) “With the moves they made the Leafs are definitely a position to get another chance at a championship.

Prediction: Islanders (B2) “The Islanders have the depth and talent to make not only the playoffs, but a strong run in the playoffs as well.”

Season Series: 3-0 Islanders

Right on the money with the pre-season predictions, except the Leafs we’re a bit better than expected. The Islanders dominated the season series and both teams limped into the post-season. They also both have dominate duos (edge to the Leafs for a 110 goals between Krejci and Neal), so it might be a case of which team can at least limit the teams top lines. The Leafs have the experience and are a bit stronger on defence, so slight edge there. Prediction: Leafs in 6

(D2) Florida Panthers vs. (D3) Montreal Canadiens

Prediction: Panthers (D2) “Two years out of the playoffs caused a bunch of changeover and they should be back in the playoffs this next season.”

Prediction: Canadiens (D5) “If they can get decent goaltending out of Budaj or find an upgrade, they should be a playoff team this time around.”

Season Series: 3-1 Panthers

The Panthers are back in the post-season and Peter Budaj was decent enough to get Montreal in the playoffs. Ovechkin and Crosby have been absolutely dominate all year with Kopitar adding a secondary threat on the 2nd line. Jamie Benn is poised to make the Panthers regret trading him, while the key matchup will be PK Subban vs. Shea Weber. Prediction: Panthers in 7

(B1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (WC1) Washington Capitals

Prediction: Penguins (B5) “A 100+ point team last year, the Penguins may have been overachieving last year.”

Prediction: Capitals (B4) “We may see more games from Jake Allen this year, but the Capitals should still be in a good spot next season.”

Season Series: 3-1 Penguins

Overachieving Penguins? Not a chance! They are apparently a perennial 100+ point team. We may have been wrong about Allen (he was traded) but the Capitals as a wildcard team was bang on and we’ll take that as a win. Craig Anderson has been excellent since joining the Capitals and they look better on paper compared to the Penguins, but there’s no stopping the Palat train and I won’t bet against them again. Prediction: Capitals in 6

(B2) Columbus Blue Jackets vs. (B3) Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: Blue Jackets (B3) “I think it’s safe to say that they’ll be in contention up until near the end of the season at least.”

Prediction: Hurricanes (B6) “ they have significant pieces that keep them in games but might be having a hard time finding those goals.”

Season Series: 3-2 Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets completely remodelled in the offseason and looked like a playoff team…...and guess what, they are! Hurricanes have pieces to keep them in and those goals will come in bunches (6th highest scoring team in the league, you’re an idiot Dylan). Eric Staal found himself again this year, but the Hurricanes added Carey Price to their already dominate team. Prediction: Hurricanes in 5