NHL FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Eastern Conference
1. WASHINGTON vs 8. NEW YORK RANGERS
The Rangers have played the Caps tough all year, and you can expect nothing less this series either. The Rangers have the advantage in net as Henrik Lundqvist has 30 games playoffs experience over Caps rookie netminder Michal Neuvirth. The Capitals aren't as efficient offensively as last season, but they are better defensively, and that will pay off in the end...WASHINGTON IN 7
2. PHILADELPHIA vs 7. BUFFALO
The Flyers struggled mightily down the stretch and may not have defensemen Chris Pronger available. Buffalo, on the other hand, has been red hot, going 8-1-1 to close the season. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will be the difference in this series...BUFFALO IN 6
3. BOSTON vs 6. MONTREAL
This series has it all as you combine the hatred the two franchises feel towards each other, and the questionable hit Zdeno Chara laid on the Habs Max Pacioretty in early March. Montreal has owned the Bruins in the playoffs going 24-8 against them. Boston gagged in historical fashon last season, blowing a 3-0 series lead against Philadelphia. Should be a great series, but...BRUINS IN 6
4. PITTSBURGH vs 5. TAMPA BAY
The Penguins have played almost half the season without superstars Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, yet still almost managed to win the division, finshing tied with Philly in points, bu losing the tie breaker in regulation wins. Marc Andre Fleury has been the MVP for the Penguins, if not the entire NHL, and the Penguins are very stingy defensively, and have the league's best Penalty Killing unit. Tampa has more star power in the line-up, featuring Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, and Vinny Lecavalier, but goaltending is what wins in the playoffs, and this matchup will prove just that...PITTSBURGH IN 6
1. WASHINGTON vs 8. NEW YORK RANGERS
The Rangers have played the Caps tough all year, and you can expect nothing less this series either. The Rangers have the advantage in net as Henrik Lundqvist has 30 games playoffs experience over Caps rookie netminder Michal Neuvirth. The Capitals aren't as efficient offensively as last season, but they are better defensively, and that will pay off in the end...WASHINGTON IN 7
2. PHILADELPHIA vs 7. BUFFALO
The Flyers struggled mightily down the stretch and may not have defensemen Chris Pronger available. Buffalo, on the other hand, has been red hot, going 8-1-1 to close the season. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will be the difference in this series...BUFFALO IN 6
3. BOSTON vs 6. MONTREAL
This series has it all as you combine the hatred the two franchises feel towards each other, and the questionable hit Zdeno Chara laid on the Habs Max Pacioretty in early March. Montreal has owned the Bruins in the playoffs going 24-8 against them. Boston gagged in historical fashon last season, blowing a 3-0 series lead against Philadelphia. Should be a great series, but...BRUINS IN 6
4. PITTSBURGH vs 5. TAMPA BAY
The Penguins have played almost half the season without superstars Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, yet still almost managed to win the division, finshing tied with Philly in points, bu losing the tie breaker in regulation wins. Marc Andre Fleury has been the MVP for the Penguins, if not the entire NHL, and the Penguins are very stingy defensively, and have the league's best Penalty Killing unit. Tampa has more star power in the line-up, featuring Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, and Vinny Lecavalier, but goaltending is what wins in the playoffs, and this matchup will prove just that...PITTSBURGH IN 6
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