NHL Playoffs 2012: Capitals and Senators Will Continue to Shock Fans

The NHL playoffs have been filled with fights, OT goals and upsets, and the action is only beginning to heat up.

Monday’s slate features two matchups that are dripping with upset potential in the Eastern Conference.

You’ll have to flip back and forth to watch them both (7:30 p.m. ET), but make sure you tune in to watch the following teams on the fast track to pulling off the series upset.

(Click here for full playoff schedule)

No. 7 Washington Capitals

Hats off to the Capitals defense, which has allowed a grand total of two goals in nine combined playoff periods. They are playing extremely patient hockey where the focus is on stopping the Bruins' offensive attack and taking advantage of their mistakes when they come along.

None of the top seven pointmen for the Bruins have found the back of the net thus far, and a lot of the credit has to go to Braden Holtby.

Thrust into action because of injuries to Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth, Holtby has rejected 72 of 74 shots thus far for an impressive 97.3 save percentage. He is red-hot right now and we all know the damage a hot goalie can inflict.

As long as the Caps continue to play it safe and frustrate the Bruins, they’ll knock the defending champs out of the playoffs in a hurry.

No. 8 Ottawa Senators

When Carl Hagelin drilled Daniel Alfredsson with an elbow to the head that may have resulted in a concussion, the message was sent: we are not rolling over.

The Senators ended up winning Game 2 3-2 in OT and have stolen the home ice and confidence of the No. 1-seeded Rangers.

Ottawa was the more aggressive team in Game 2 and is averaging more shots on goal through two games. With the home crowd in a frenzy and the pressure mounting on the shoulders of every member of the Rangers, it’s the Senators that are now the team to beat in this quarterfinals matchup.

Can the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference be bounced before May arrives?

Right now, it sure is looking that way. 

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