2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Preview
By Mike Drakulich, Pittsburgh SportsNation
Eastern Conference
#1 New York Rangers vs #8 Ottawa Senators
Ottawa won the season series 3-1, and with star defenseman Erik Karlsson leading the way, the Senators can rack up some serious points. The Rangers, a rather pedestrian goal scoring team, rely on the stopping power of goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Ottawa has defied the odds all season, so the fact that they are an eight seed isn't going to scare them much vs the #1 seeded Rangers. Don't be surprised if Ottawa pulls an upset. Rangers in 6.
#2 Boston Bruins vs #7 Washington Capitals
The defending Stanley Cup Champions open up against a surging Capitals team, and an Alexander Ovechkin finally playing up to his standards after a below sub par season statistically. The Bruins are solid from top to bottom, despite not having a true super star forward in the mix. But they do have big Zdeno Chara roaming the blue line, and he is a major factor. The Caps biggest problem is lack of goaltending depth as an inexperienced Braden Holtby looks to be in net thanks to injuries to Thomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth. The Capitals did win the season series 3-1, so this should be a fun series to watch. Bruins in 6.
#3 Florida Panthers vs #6 New Jersey Devils
The Devils finished with 8 more points than the Panthers, but thanks to Florida winning the weak Southeast Division, the Panthers get rewarded with home ice advantage. Home ice is the only advantage Florida will have as they seem to be outmatched in almost every aspect of this series. Devils in 5.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
It's the match-up everyone will be watching in the hockey world, as the Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin face their bitter in state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. With Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux, and Wayne Simmonds leading the Flyers, Philly can score with the best of them. The Penguins have a definite advantage between the pipes as they know Marc Andre Fleury will be starting every game, unlike the Flyers who may go with Sergei Bobrosky or Ilya Bryzgalov on any given night. If the Penguins cut down on silly defensive breakdowns, they will be a tough out. It really is a shame these two teams have to meet in the first round. Penguins in 6.
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs #8 Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver is pumped and ready to finally raise Lord Stanley after falling to the Bruins in 7 games last season. The Canucks won the Presidents Trophy for the league's most regular season points, so they will have home ice advantage at their behest if they make it to the Cup Finals. Vancouver's Daniel Sedin remains out with a concussion, but even with Daniel out, the Canucks still have Henrik Sedin, who is a superb playmaker. The Kings have a harder time scoring than Pee Wee did in Porky's, so they better find a way to make every goal count against Roberto Loungo. Don't discount the Kings physical play though. Canucks in 6.
#2 St. Louis Blues vs #7 San Jose Sharks
The Sharks, much like the Washington Capitals, have always been regular season darlings, only to fail miserably come playoff time, although San Jose has made the Western Conference Finals the past two years. Now San Jose finds itself as the underdogs to a resurgent Blues team that only allowed a league best 165 goals this season. San Jose did close the season strong. Blues in 6.
#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs #6 Chicago Blackhawks
Phoenix has been on fire since February, lead by goalie Mike Smith, and one of Chicago's best players in Jonathan Toews remains a mystery on if he can return for the playoffs after being out with a concussion since February 19. Even though the Coyotes remain in flux off the ice, not knowing if they will remain in Phoenix or not past this season, it's on ice where they are able to find their comfort zone and block out all of the distractions. This will be a interesting series to keep an eye on. Blackhawks in 7.
#4 Nashville Predators vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
The always tough Detroit Red Wings are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, but their quest to do as such won't be easy as they face a very good Nashville Predators team led by star goalie Pekka Rinne. The Wings are the only team besides Washington to have a losing road record, so if they are to regain past glory, they will have to find a way to break Nashville of it's home ice advantage. Nashville is a sexy pick to win the conference amongst many NHL analysts. Predators in 7.
Eastern Conference
#1 New York Rangers vs #8 Ottawa Senators
Ottawa won the season series 3-1, and with star defenseman Erik Karlsson leading the way, the Senators can rack up some serious points. The Rangers, a rather pedestrian goal scoring team, rely on the stopping power of goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Ottawa has defied the odds all season, so the fact that they are an eight seed isn't going to scare them much vs the #1 seeded Rangers. Don't be surprised if Ottawa pulls an upset. Rangers in 6.
#2 Boston Bruins vs #7 Washington Capitals
The defending Stanley Cup Champions open up against a surging Capitals team, and an Alexander Ovechkin finally playing up to his standards after a below sub par season statistically. The Bruins are solid from top to bottom, despite not having a true super star forward in the mix. But they do have big Zdeno Chara roaming the blue line, and he is a major factor. The Caps biggest problem is lack of goaltending depth as an inexperienced Braden Holtby looks to be in net thanks to injuries to Thomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth. The Capitals did win the season series 3-1, so this should be a fun series to watch. Bruins in 6.
#3 Florida Panthers vs #6 New Jersey Devils
The Devils finished with 8 more points than the Panthers, but thanks to Florida winning the weak Southeast Division, the Panthers get rewarded with home ice advantage. Home ice is the only advantage Florida will have as they seem to be outmatched in almost every aspect of this series. Devils in 5.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
It's the match-up everyone will be watching in the hockey world, as the Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin face their bitter in state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. With Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux, and Wayne Simmonds leading the Flyers, Philly can score with the best of them. The Penguins have a definite advantage between the pipes as they know Marc Andre Fleury will be starting every game, unlike the Flyers who may go with Sergei Bobrosky or Ilya Bryzgalov on any given night. If the Penguins cut down on silly defensive breakdowns, they will be a tough out. It really is a shame these two teams have to meet in the first round. Penguins in 6.
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs #8 Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver is pumped and ready to finally raise Lord Stanley after falling to the Bruins in 7 games last season. The Canucks won the Presidents Trophy for the league's most regular season points, so they will have home ice advantage at their behest if they make it to the Cup Finals. Vancouver's Daniel Sedin remains out with a concussion, but even with Daniel out, the Canucks still have Henrik Sedin, who is a superb playmaker. The Kings have a harder time scoring than Pee Wee did in Porky's, so they better find a way to make every goal count against Roberto Loungo. Don't discount the Kings physical play though. Canucks in 6.
#2 St. Louis Blues vs #7 San Jose Sharks
The Sharks, much like the Washington Capitals, have always been regular season darlings, only to fail miserably come playoff time, although San Jose has made the Western Conference Finals the past two years. Now San Jose finds itself as the underdogs to a resurgent Blues team that only allowed a league best 165 goals this season. San Jose did close the season strong. Blues in 6.
#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs #6 Chicago Blackhawks
Phoenix has been on fire since February, lead by goalie Mike Smith, and one of Chicago's best players in Jonathan Toews remains a mystery on if he can return for the playoffs after being out with a concussion since February 19. Even though the Coyotes remain in flux off the ice, not knowing if they will remain in Phoenix or not past this season, it's on ice where they are able to find their comfort zone and block out all of the distractions. This will be a interesting series to keep an eye on. Blackhawks in 7.
#4 Nashville Predators vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
The always tough Detroit Red Wings are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, but their quest to do as such won't be easy as they face a very good Nashville Predators team led by star goalie Pekka Rinne. The Wings are the only team besides Washington to have a losing road record, so if they are to regain past glory, they will have to find a way to break Nashville of it's home ice advantage. Nashville is a sexy pick to win the conference amongst many NHL analysts. Predators in 7.
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