NHL Playoffs: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#1 Washington Capitals vs # 8 Montreal Canadians

This series should be pretty quick. The Capitals were out in the second round last year, the Canadian were the 8 seed last year and were out in the first round. The only weakness is see from Washington is goaltending. They got what many thins is the best player in the league, 4 solid lines, and a great defense that is now better thanks to deadline acquisition Joe Corvo. Montreal is good, especially the goalies, but not nearly as good as Washington.

Washington wins 4-1.

#2 New Jersey Devils vs #7 Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia got in on the last day of the regular season, in a shootout. The Flyers won the season series 5-1 over the division rival Devils. Both teams were out in the first round last year, Devils as a 3 seed, Philly as a 4 seed against eventual Cup winner Pittsburgh. The Devils got Ilya Kovalchuk before the deadline and got one of the best goalie of all time, Martin Brodeur. For Philly to win this series, their goaltending has to be very good, but it will be tough, as they will start #3 goalie Brian Boucher due to injuries to Ray Emery and Michael Leighton. If Mike Richards and Jeff Carter can find there scoring touch again, this could be an upset. Both teams hate each other, so this could be very fun series to watch.

New Jersey wins 4-3

#3 Buffalo Sabers vs # 6 Boston Bruins

Another division rivalry. These teams do not like each other. Buffalo had a season record against Boston of 2-2-2. Buffalo's offence is week after Derek Roy and Jason Pominville and Tim Connolly. And it will be tougher against Tuukka Rask and/or Tim Thomas. Boston lost their top scorer Marc Savard to a concussion and their offence has dried up ever since. Oh, and Buffalo has MVP-candidate Ryan Miller in net. Does he have enough left in the tank after a silver winning, top goaltending performance at the Olympics? This is going to be a very low scoring series.

Buffalo win 4-2

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Ottawa Senators

These two teams played each other in the first round two years ago, and the Pens swept. They split the season series 2-2. Can rookie goalie Brian Elliott stop the Pens snipers? Can Ottawa manage without Alex Kolvalev? I think the defending champs, who aren't much different from last year, except for a couple players, will win this one. They have experience going to the Cup finals the past two years, and have co-Rocket Richard winner Sidney Crosby, plus an excellent supporting cast. Ottawa missed out on the playoffs last year, and look much different than when they went to the Cup. But when will then Pens get tired after playing to game 6 of the finals two years ago and game 7 last year?

Pittsburgh wins 4-2

What does everyone else think?

Caps, Devils, Sabers, Pens. I'm not picking any upsets in the East, I think the lower seeded teams are pretty week this year compared to the higher seeded teams.hockey73

Although, as a Pens fan, they had better pick up their game or else I do think there is a small chance that Ottawa could bounce them in 7 games. I'm not expecting it to happen, but it feels like they're playing about as bad, right now, as when Michel Therrien was fired last season.

Capitals, Devils, Penguins and Sabers advance to the next round. I can see the Senators giving the Penguins some trouble but overall the top seeds get in he next round. Oh and Go Caps!!!

#3 Buffalo Sabers vs # 6 Boston Bruins

Another division rivalry. These teams do not like each other. Buffalo had a season record against Boston of 2-2-2. Buffalo's offence is week after Derek Roy and Jason Pominville and Tim Connolly. And it will be tougher against Tuukka Rask and/or Tim Thomas. Boston lost their top scorer Marc Savard to a concussion and their offence has dried up ever since. Oh, and Buffalo has MVP-candidate Ryan Miller in net. Does he have enough left in the tank after a silver winning, top goaltending performance at the Olympics? This is going to be a very low scoring series.

Buffalo win 4-2JohnBean42

As a Bruins fan but not a big NHL in general fan, I'm not really sure about the others, except for the fact that both New Jersey and Washington will advance past this round at least.

I'll say:

Washington in 5 (I want to say they'll sweep, but Montreal is so much better in net I figure you have to give them one game)

New Jersey in 6

Buffalo in 5

Pittsburgh in 5

Add some insight to the NHL Union too :D

Add some insight to the NHL Union too :D

Los9090

I guess I could. I'll have to join it.

Playoffs start tonight! I'll watch the Devils-Flyers game more than the Sens-Pens game. Then Phoenix will get more of my attention the the Sharks-Avs tonight.

Wow the Senators won Game 1. The Series just became interesting.

Wow the Senators won Game 1. The Series just became interesting.

Seabas989

Yes they did. I heard Clouston in an interview when i got home mentioning "5 goals" and i immediatly thought Ottawa lost 5-0 or 5-1.

I was very suprised (and happy) to see they won.

[QUOTE="Seabas989"]

Wow the Senators won Game 1. The Series just became interesting.

Console_Gamer93

Yes they did. I heard Clouston in an interview when i got home mentioning "5 goals" and i immediatly thought Ottawa lost 5-0 or 5-1.

I was very suprised (and happy) to see they won.

The Sens are so inconsistent...but the series could score a big upset if the Sens get hot like they were a couple months ago

Sabres and Bruins showing some bad blood...that's always good to see. 2-1 Buffalo

Think people are still going to underestimate Montreal's Jaroslav Halak in net? Montreal 3 Washington 2 in OT

The canadiens are going to win the cup! Halak is the best goalie.

So far these playoffs have been amazing. So many upsets and every game was close decided by one goal.

I'm a little mad at the Caps tonight but I think they'll bounce back.

So far these playoffs have been amazing. So many upsets and every game was close decided by one goal.

Console_Gamer93

Hoping the Sens keep up the hard work and push for the wins like they did at the end of the season, I can see an upset :)

Hoping the Sens keep up the hard work and push for the wins like they did at the end of the season, I can see an upset :)

Hobbsey07

I really hope they do... I just can't stand Crosby... :evil:

Pens and Sens Game 2 extended highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18aBkZZYuBY Crosby the magician at 7:45

Crosby the goalie:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeIY6Rq3An4

Wow I have to admit that I did not think the Capitals could win but they pulled it off after losing 4-1. Great game overall.

Bruins won today... I think they had to win today to have a chance to steal the series. Very nice.Cube_of_MooN

Very wierd game, both teams capitilized on funky deflections.

Man watching this Ottawa Pittsburgh game is horrible. Not just because Ottawa is losing when they should be level but the amount of time they spend talking about Crosby is disgusting.

Man watching this Ottawa Pittsburgh game is horrible. Not just because Ottawa is losing when they should be level but the amount of time they spend talking about Crosby is disgusting.

Console_Gamer93

[QUOTE="Console_Gamer93"]

Man watching this Ottawa Pittsburgh game is horrible. Not just because Ottawa is losing when they should be level but the amount of time they spend talking about Crosby is disgusting.

blackngold29

Since when do you answer the following question "So what does Ottawa have to do on the defensive end" by going through what the Penguins (and mostly Crosby) did right on the offensive end.

Keeping in mind they had an entire 7 minute segment on why Crosby dominated game 2 prior to this question being asked...

And lets not forget who won the Conn Smythe (Malkin) last year while every sports channel was talking about Crosby.

Then theres people who think he should win MVP of the league this year. :lol: For what? Leading his team to 4th place in the east? The guy who mentioned that 4th place finish will probably have to wait a long time until he's back on air.

Caps win 5-1!

They played a lot better tonight.

Caps win 5-1!

They played a lot better tonight.

Seabas989

They should keep Varlamov in net for the rest of the playoffs.

[QUOTE="Seabas989"]

Caps win 5-1!

They played a lot better tonight.

Console_Gamer93

They should keep Varlamov in net for the rest of the playoffs.

Agreed but they also have to work on there power play which I'm a little worried about.

Pittsburgh and Philly both win tonight against Ottawa and New Jersey, respectively. Both teams now have a 3-1 series lead, and the next game in both series is Thursday night.

Crosby had 4 points (2g, 2a), and Boucher somehow continues to look better than Brodeur.

Caps win 6-3!

After a bad start for both the Caps and Penguins, it looks like a rematch of last years series.

Caps win 6-3!

After a bad start for both the Caps and Penguins, it looks like a rematch of last years series.

Seabas989

[QUOTE="Seabas989"]

Caps win 6-3!

After a bad start for both the Caps and Penguins, it looks like a rematch of last years series.

blackngold29

Oh yeah that's right.

Also the Sabres/Bruins game is interesting since they are both tied 2-2 in OT.

EDIT: The Bruins win. Pretty close game too that went to 2 Overtimes.

Flyers beat the Devils and advance to the next round.

Amazing game. 3 OT's and we're bringing it back home for game 6.

Leclaire saved Ottawa's season.

Amazing game. 3 OT's and we're bringing it back home for game 6.

Leclaire saved Ottawa's season.

Console_Gamer93

I was impressed by Ottawa. Hopefully they maintain that momentum.

[QUOTE="Console_Gamer93"]

Amazing game. 3 OT's and we're bringing it back home for game 6.

Leclaire saved Ottawa's season.

Seabas989

I was impressed by Ottawa. Hopefully they maintain that momentum.

Leclaire was fantastic in goal. If we can keep up the good work and pressure like that game, we can come back

What did you guys think of Philly taking New Jersey out?

I was suprised. I guess the addition of Kovelchuk didn't work out for them.

What did you guys think of Philly taking New Jersey out?

I was suprised. I guess the addition of Kovelchuk didn't work out for them.

Console_Gamer93

They say Kovalchuck is going to the KHL?X360PS3AMD05

Halak is awesome, F Carey Price.

only team to get the sweep baby! woot woot!

hawks suck. they cant play on the road to save their life

magic should get'em in 4 or 5 easy