2020 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Preview

As the playoffs are set to start we ask the Western Conference playoff teams on who they think will move on as we take a closer look at each series to see what we can expect. 

(D1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (W2) Ottawa Senators

Another Stanley Cup would look good in the trophy case for the Leafs as they look to head to their third final in four years. They've done their best to help achieve that, loading up with veterans all year with the likes of Phil Kessel, Boone Jenner, Travis Zajac and Erik Johnson joining the squad mid-season. Dylan Larkin may be the best player in a star studded series as he continued to rack up points at a blistering pace. There's no questioning that the Leafs overpayed for Darcy Kuemper this off-season, but he has rewarded them with steady play and re-affirms that goaltending is necessary in this league. 

The Ottawa Senators on the other hand have been consistent under-achievers in this league. While they boast a top end roster every season, they've never truly clicked to get over the top and that was no different this past season as they struggled to even clinch a spot in the playoffs. Evgeni Malkin and Nicklas Backstrom are as good as any 1-2 punch down the middle in the MRFHL. The real question will be in net as the tandem of Jake Allen and Brian Elliott will head in to the playoffs with neither goalie really staking a claim to the #1 spot. We may see a goalie change if things get off to a rough start. 

The cliche of you need rings in the room to win is a bit ridiculous, but the Leafs have proven to be winners and in a classic provincial rivalry, things are expected to get heated. Up and down the roster the Leafs are the deeper squad and it makes sense why everyone has decided to go with the Leafs in this clash. Season Series: 3-2 Leafs

(D2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (D3) Tampa Bay Lightning

The Canadiens blew Game 82 and now they have to play the veteran heavy Tampa Bay Lightning. Mark Schifele was a huge mid-season add by the Canadiens as he helped strengthen the centre depth and give the team two deadly centres. Matt Murray was solid but inconsistent all year as he never put himself in the conversation as one of the better goalies in the league. The big pair of Shea Weber and Jeff Petry will be relied upon to be the big minute eaters in this series and their ability to shut down some of the Lightning stars will be critical for them to move on. 

One of the first things the Lightning did this off-season was acquire Alex Ovechkin from state rivals and defending champions the Florida Panthers. The ability to go out there with Ovechkin and Mikko Rantanen as wingers on each side has proven to be a deadly combo. This is definitely an experienced roster with over half the roster 30 and over, and that experience (and not having to matchup against the Panthers) will be interesting to see how it will play out. They were on a good run last year before getting trounced in the Conference finals last year and they're ready to get back. 

It's no surprise that this was the most split matchup in the East this year. Neither side seems to have an advantage in the predicition game and if there was any series that could go seven games, it's this one. Season Series: 3-2 Lightning

(B1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (W1) Detroit Red Wings

The Flyers are another team loaded with veterans that have shown that experience helps win in the MRFHL. T.J Oshie was a force once again this season, picking up his third straight 50 goal campaign as a member of the Flyers. They were close to having two members of the 50 goal club as Jeff Skinner just missed out with 48 goals. Pekka Rinne continues to defeat father time as he once again proves that he's a number one goalie in this league. The real question will be if he can overcome the playoff demons, as he and the Flyers have only won two games in their two trips to the post-season together. 

2020 has been a strange year. We're in a pandemic and the Red Wings have made the playoffs. This is Detroit's first trip to the post-season as a member of the Eastern Conference and they were oh so close to missing out. When you have the best player in the league, you can realistically see yourself winning any matchup. McDavid, Couturier, Lindholm have been a consistent threat to opposing teams all year. Brent Burns numbers have dropped in his first season as a Red Wing, but his 81 playoff games as a member of the Kings will be incredibly valuable. Robin Lehner has been a stud all year and could position himself to steal a few games. 

Both wildcard teams have incredibly dangerous weapons and you get the feeling that neither division winning team will have an easy road. There's a pretty even split in the guessing game with a slight edge to the division leaders, so we'll see how far this first run in the playoffs will last for the Wings. Season Series: 2-1 Red Wings

(B2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (B3) Washington Capitals

Unlike other teams in the playoff hunt, the Hurricanes ran with the team they started the season with and were rewarded with second in the division, but there will be question marks as to whether they should have shored up some depth issues (especially down the middle) when they had the chance. This may be the most unassuming team in the playoffs with David Pastrnak and Filip Forsberg being really the only top end threats up front. The defence is similarly built, with a safe and workmen like group who would struggle to even find themselves in other teams top 4s. Carey Price really shouldered the load this year as he started all 82 games and never seemed to lose his edge. 

This is almost a perfect matchup as the Capitals are very similarly built to the Hurricanes, with maybe even less fire power up front. Say what you will about Frans Nielsen, you would be justified to say he's not a number one centre, but his 40 goals and 108 points say otherwise. The Capitals also challenge with a vetern netminder in Marc-Andre Fleury, a goalie who has bounced around the league and had middling playoff success everywhere he's gone. The Capitals were one of those outliers who seemed to have just as much success on the road this season as they did at home, which should come in handy being the lower seed in the series.

The Capitals have the slight edge in the predictions race, but anyone who says they know who will win is lying. These teams are both evenly matched. Only a point in the standings seperated them, they both gave up 233 goals this year and the Capitals scored only 4 more goals all year. Good luck odds-makers. Season Series: 4-1 Capitals

Ryan Schurman

Great Stuff, looking forward to the West Predictions

2020 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Preview
A Look at the four eastern conference matchups

• 0 teams Like this  4 years