The Stanley Cup Playoff Preview! Part 2

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Eastern Conference

#1 Seed - Boston Bruins
The Bruins, for the first time in years, have a real chance to advance deep in the playoffs. Bruins GM, Peter Chiarelli, has put together a team that has excelled in all facets of the game. The key for the B's success starts with their defense and goaltending. Captain Zdeno Chara headlines a group of tall strong defensemen, that when they hold both blue lines, they initiate Boston's opportunistic offsense. Tim Thomas will have to prove himself worth of his new stout contract this postseason. Look for a long series against the hated Canadians.

#2 Seed - Washington Capitals
The Caps rely on their top three offensive stars, Alex Ovenchkin, Nichlas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin, to get most of the goals and assists. Mike Green, 23 year-old defensemen, finished the season playing in only 68 games, attaining the most goals (31) and points (73) by a defensemen in the NHL. He's the best young offensive defensemen in the league, no doubt. Washington's power play is outstanding with all of those goal scorers. Goalie, Jose Theodore has never propelled a team deep through the playoffs.

#3 Seed - New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Govenor, Jon Corzine, declared April 14, 2009, Martin Brodeur Day. Jersey should declare the season of Spring the "Season of Brodeur". If the Devils do go deep in the playoffs, which I don't see happening, Brodeur will be the reason for there success, his 3 Cup Wins came on his best playoff performances (1.64 GAA), not that his career postseason 1.96 GAA is to shabby. Unlike other years, Jersey does have a pretty good offense led by 24 year old Zach Parise's 94 regular season points. If Brodeur does get hot watch out.

#4 Seed - Pittsburgh Penquins
Pittsburgh is the most dangerous lower seed in the playoffs. They have a great offense and a great goalie. The downfall is that they are a very young team. However, with last year run to the Stanley Cup Finals will help the youth factor. The Penguins are facing their hated rival, the Flyers, in the first round which they should win in 5.

#5 Seed - Philadelphia Flyers
Philly had a chance with a win or overtime loss in the final game against a Rangers team that had nothing to play for, to sew up home ice in the first round. They were winning 3-2 after two periods came out and let up a goal 4 1/2 minutes in and the another 4 1/2 minutes later let in another goal which put them in Pittsburgh for game 1 of the first round of the playoffs. That showed me a lot about the Flyers; they'll be out of the playoffs quick.

#6 Seed - Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina may give the Devils all they can handle in the first round of the playoffs. They play with grit and determination especially in the defensive end which leads to offensive opportunities. If goalie, Cam Ward, can bring back his 2006 Stanley Cup winning performance we would have a show down of two great goalies. But really, how likely is that?

#7 Seed - New York Rangers
The Rangers are the only playoff team that doesn't have a player that scored 30 goals or attained 60 points for the regular season. With that said, they have a good defense and a great goalie in Henrik Lundqvist so they have a chance but highly unlikely against the Capitals. Lundqvist would have to steal a few games to advance.

#8 Seed - Montreal Canadians
Montreal is another defensive minded team but, unlike the Rangers, their goaltending situation is shaky to say the least. Carey Price has had a sophomore slump, coming off of a great rookie year, including a playoff series win against the Bruins. This year's Bruin team is more balanced and is ready to pound the cheap shot Canadians. Not even the refs can win this series for the Habs.