Devils-Flyers: Round One Playoff Preview

Philadelphia defeated the Rangers in a shootout on Sunday to determine the final playoff spot. Like the shootout or not, the Rangers had 81 other games to get the points necessary to be one of the top eight in the conference.

The Flyers on the other hand won a ridiculously entertaining game that felt like a game seven of the conference finals. Side note: NBC has to be wondering what the ratings would have been for that game instead of the Bruins-Capitals match up that did not mean anything to the conference standings or playoff race.

Not only did they clinch a playoff spot, they also jumped over Montreal in the process. Thus, avoiding Washington in the first round.

Philly has to have all the momentum in the world after that fantastic finish. I don't know what shootout scenario would be better. Putting the puck in the net to win the game, or have the back up to the back up goalie make the game winning save.

All that aside they know that they will be playing the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs. New Jersey can intimidate with one simple name drop: Martin Brodeur.

Anyone who follows hockey knows Brodeur's accomplishments and that he is capable of carrying a team on his back in the playoffs.

But a funny thing happened last year. New Jersey lost a playoff series that they were supposed to win. They were ahead 3-2 with 1:20 to play in game seven at home. Carolina beat Brodeur twice in that span to send New Jersey home early.

Although that was a rare occurrence, it lets future New Jersey playoff opponents know that they can be human at times.

Also playing in Philadelphia's favor is the fact that they were victorious five out of the six times they faced off against New Jersey in the regular season. The playoffs are a whole new game, but six games is a pretty large sample size for a teams confidence.

Here is a look at how these teams stack up against one another.

Key Players

New Jersey: LW Ilya Kovalchuk (26 points in 26 games with NJ), LW Zach Parise (38 G), C Travis Zajac (44 A), RW Jamie Langenbrunner (42 A), LW Patrick Elias (48 points in 58 games)

Philadelphia: C Mike Richards (31 G), C Jeff Carter (33 G), D Chris Pronger (55 Pts), RW Danny Briere (26 G), LW Simon Gagne (40 points in 58 games)

Regular Season Matchups

PHI 5 NJ 2

PHI 3 NJ 2

NJ 4 PHI 1

PHI 3 NJ 2

PHI 3 NJ 2

PHI 5 NJ 1

Philadelphia wins 5-1

New Jersey Offense vs. Philadelphia Defense

New Jersey: 19th in league

Philadelphia: 15th in league

New Jersey knew that they needed some more punch to their offense if they were going to be a legit Stanley Cup contender when all was said and done. So they did what they had to do at the trading deadline by acquiring Kovalchuk from the Thrashers.

Although he has not put up as many goals (10 in 26 games) as the team probably would have liked, he is still a force on the ice. Opposing teams need to know where he is at all times. This has allowed New Jersey to roll out five forwards on it's power play at times towards the end of the season.

With Kovalchuk on board, Broduer won't be the only one teams will have to be concerned with. Add Team USA fan favorites Parise and Langenbrunner to the mix and New Jersey's offense is more than just respectable.

Pronger's veteran presence has definitely been a welcome addition for the Flyers. Alongside him is blueliner Kimmo Timonen and one of Sunday's hero's Matt Carle.

Edge: Even

Philadelphia's Offense vs. New Jersey's Defense

Philadelphia: 8th

New Jersey: 1st

It comes as no surprise that the Devils led the league in scoring defense this year. Brodeur coupled with their trapping style of play puts them atop the league every year.

Philadelphia has a very balanced scoring attack. Led by Carter and Richards and aided by Briere, Gagne, Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

Carter returned Sunday from an injury that could slow him at times in the playoffs and Hartnell has had a disappointing season. If both of these guys play to their potential it could be a very interesting series.

Edge: New Jersey

Special Teams

New Jersey power play: 11th

Philadelphia penalty kill: 11th

Philadelphia power play: 3rd

New Jersey penalty kill: 13th

Edge: Philadelphia

Goaltending

Brodeur, NJ: 45-25-6, 2.24 GAA, .916 SV %

Brian Boucher 9-18-3, 2.76 GAA, .899 SV %

Philadelphia runs into the same issues that Washington has. If they had a reliable netminder they would definitely be in the discussion for Stanley Cup contender. Unfortunately for them, they don't. They lost both of their starters to injury this year (Michael Leighton and Ray Emery) and have had to depend on career back up Brian Boucher.

Boucher, as you can see by his record, has been very unspectacular. But he is what he is and he is the starter for a playoff team. Make what you will of it but he was the goalie through the whole stretch run and made that great save in the shootout to send the team to the playoffs which has to count for something.

Brodeur on the other hand is as consistent as they come. Last season's game seven aside, he hardly lets in soft goals and can be counted on to carry a team through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Edge: New Jersey

Series Prediction

This has all the makings of an incredible series. One team has tasted success and has good balance throughout. The other is the underdog riding the momentum of Sunday's game with a fighters chance.

Scott Hartnell needs to harness his emotions and play under control to the help the team on the offensive side. Daniel Carcillo needs to know that fighting is frowned upon in the playoffs and he should continue to be a playmaker like he was on Sunday.

New Jersey is playing seven games in the first round again. This year they will come out victorious because Cam Ward is not standing on the other side of the ice. New Jersey in 7.