BT, Ron Burgundy, and the 2009 Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

With the commencement of the NHL season Sunday, that means only one thing: withdrawl until the NHL playoffs start on Wednesday.

Now the internet, radio, and television will have no shortage of previews with regards to the series that will be unfolding, but there's one thing that all of them lack:

Star power.

Last year, I brought you Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad. From the first round all the way through the playoffs, Frank and I competed for supremacy, not only on hockey predictions, but out-witting each other as well.

Unfortunately, I have a sneaking suspicion that Drebin won, especially after this:

"Rangers in six, but Police Squad will make an appearance in the apprehension of Sean Avery during the series." (First Round Prediction, New Jersey vs. New York Rangers)

If Police Squad were real, I'm pretty sure that would've happened.

Needless to say, Frank Drebin wasn't invited back.

Who do we have this year? Well it's none other than the honorary—

Ron Burgandy: Hhhhheeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy Aaaaaaqqqquuuuaaaa LUNG!

Bryan Thiel: Oh good lord...

No. 1. Boston Bruins vs. No. 8. Montreal Canadiens

BT: Last year, these two teams were in the exact opposite positions: Montreal was the upstart young team with all of the potential and expectation, while Boston was a big underdog.

After a season of disappointment in Quebec and surprise in Boston the roles are reversed, as the Canadiens have followed in the footsteps of the Ottawa Senators (with regards to last year's late-season collapse).

The next few years don't look too good for the Bruins if they turn out like the last few Eastern Conference powers (Ottawa, Montreal, and the Pittsburgh Penguins during a mid-season swoon) but we'll get to that in a few months.

The Bruins are the second-hottest team heading into the playoffs right now at 8-2-0.

The Killer B's have scored the second-most goals in the NHL, and allowed the fewest in the NHL. They have a goalie who led the league in save percentage (.933) and goals-against average (2.33) this season, and he's played the seventh-fewest games (tied with Roberto Luongo) of any playoff-bound goalie with 54 games.

Offensively the Bruins had ten players with 40 or more points, seven of whom have 20 or more goals, including two 50-point defensemen in Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman. Aside from some rest issues against the New York Islanders Sunday, the Bruins are fairly injury free as well going into their second season.

The Canadiens on the other hand, may be in for a bit of a struggle.

Since Robert Lang went down, the Canadiens have lacked the extra firepower they need up front. Only two players on the Habs registered more than 60-points, and one of them—defenseman Andrei Markov—is out for the foreseeable future due to injury.

Between the pipes, the fact that Boston has a dynamic offense could help the Habs. Although Carey Price has allowed 11 goals in his past three games (and is winless), Price has performed better when facing larger amounts of shots.

Since February 13, Price has allowed just three goals per game in games he faced 35 or more shots. While he's played in more games facing fewer shots (10), Price has been far less consistent, allowing five goals three times, and three or more three other times.

If the Habs have a chance, Price has to be at his best facing the Bruins' dynamic offense, and they'll have to play better, tighter hockey than they have the past four games, all losses to playoff teams (except Ottawa on Monday).

Ron: I like Boston. It's a good city, full of rich and historical facts. On the other hand, their nickname is "Beantown". Beans are not a classy food—lots of violent gas. Then again, the Canadiens are from Montreal, and that means they're French.

BT: You have a problem with the French Ron?

Ron: Well...I get it from Don.

BT: Don Cherry?

Ron: Yes. We go suit shopping together.

Bryan says Bruins in five

Ron says Bruins in six

No. 2. Washinton vs. No. 7. New York Rangers

BT: Here's the story on the Rangers: They finished strong with three straight wins to finish off the season, and eight wins in 13 games during the month of March. They've scored 4 or more goals seven times in the past month and two weeks, and the acquisitions of Sean Avery and Nik Antropov have paid dividends.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, they remain the only Eastern Conference playoff team with a negative goals-for/goals-against differential. They also join the Habs as the only two sub-.500 road teams in the East, so lacking home ice advantage is a problem.

While the Rangers can't match up offensively with the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Alexander Semin, they do have a few advantages.

First of all, given the choice between Jose Theodore and Henrik Lundqvist, I'll take the 38-win Swede who finished 11th in goals-against average. Second of all, while the Caps have a 25 percent power play proficiency, the Rangers have the top penalty kill at 87%.

It'll be interesting to see what effect Sean Avery has on the Caps, and how he can agitate one of the most offensive-minded teams in the league. The special teams matchups will also be interesting to watch.

Unfortunately, this one may come down to outscoring the Caps—something the Rangers won't be able to do.

Ron: This is simple. Mike Green score. A lot. Almost as much as me at a party. Speaking of which...

Excuse me. I have to go meet a woman whose pointing to...well...if you've seen my movie you know.

Bryan says Caps in Six, with the Rangers winning game one (I guess I feel gutsy)

Ron says Caps in Four

No. 3. New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6. Carolina Hurricanes

Ron: Bryan do you know what my license plate says?

BT: Do I even want to know?

Ron: Thanks for asking. It says IM#1. Look it up in the San Diego directory.

BT: I don't think that'll help—

Ron: Don't question. Just do it.

BT: What about Martin Brodeur?

Ron: I'm No. 1. He's No. 2. If I had spent my time being concerned with No. 2...well. I wouldn't look this good would I?

BT: Despite whatever the hell it is that Ron is talking about, Martin Brodeur is number one. And if you forgot, here's the proof.

Here's the disturbing thing though: In those twelve games since Brodeur got win 552 he's won only five games, and he's allowed four or more goals four times—very un-Brodeur like.

What works in his favor though, is that in his last two meetings with Carolina, he's been able to stymie the 'Canes to just two goals—a loss March 28, and a win April 11.

Brodeur also won't be getting tired late in the season thanks to his long layoff due to his arm injury earlier in the year, and get this: his offense improved by 40 goals this season (198 in 2008 to 238 this season).

But while the Hurricanes struggled to get into the playoff picture in the early parts of the year, they've been buoyed by some hot play lately, and are on of just four Eastern Conference teams in the playoffs with a 40-goal scorer. Strangely enough, all four 40-goal men are from the Atlantic division, and two (Zach Parise and Eric Staal) are in this series.

While Brodeur has been up and down as of late though, the 'Canes have been red hot, and sitting in the eye of the playoff storm. Through March and April, the 'Canes lost five games, two of them being games 81, and 82 of the season. In other words, they won 13 of a possible 18 games heading to the playoffs.

While a lot of people like to bring up the fact that the 'Canes lost four of their last five games during the season they won the Stanley Cup, momentum can't be discounted.

Having the attitude of a champion is half the battle. While the Hurricanes maintained that attitude in the face of adversity late in 2005/06, they're carrying it into their first round series with the Devils this year.

Bryan says Hurricanes in seven

Ron says Devils in six

No. 4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5. Philadelphia Flyers

BT: Who would've thought that Dan Bylsma would be the man to turn the Pittsburgh Penguins around?

Needless to say, when Michel Therien lost his edge, the Pens needed a miracle, and they got one.

Now the Penguins are healthy (unless you're poor Mike Zigomanis), they've found a productive winger that belongs above an NHL third line in Kris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have more points combined (216) than seven NHL teams have goals-for, while Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury both got quietly hot at the same time.

Did you know that Fleury had 35 wins this season?

Sixteen of them came after February 19. Therien was fired February 15.

Just food for thought.

Here's a question I have: How does a team with six 20-goal scorers only have one game in April where they score more than three?

Ok now I'm nit picking, but Jeff Carter had only 11 goals since February 14th after starting the season inexplicably hot—something Philly fans definitely have to be worried about.

But then again, the Flyers are starting to see the dividends of a healthy Daniel Briere (imagine if he replay what he did in the playoffs last year), a healthy defense (which hurt them late in last year's playoffs), and some vastly improved play from Martin Biron since the month of March started.

Ron: This series is going to be rough. A Brawl. A turf-war. A hootenany.

BT: A hootenany?

Ron: Of course I don't expect you to know what that means. Both teams should have Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary ready for fisticuffs in this series. It'll be rough.

BT: Doesn't Jack Johnson play for Los Angeles?

Ron: Well...we agree to disagree then.

Bryan says Flyers in seven

Ron says Penguins in six

Ron: So that's the Eastern Conference. It's glorious really. A compelling first round lies ahead.

BT: Are we doing the Western Conference tomorrow?

Ron: When in Rome...

BT: You still don't know what that means do you...

Ron:...You stay classy Bleacher Report.

Bryan Thiel is a Senior Writer and an NHL Community Leader for Bleacher Report. If you want to get in contact with Bryan you can do so through his profile, or email him at [e-mail]. You can also check out his previous articles in his archives.

Ron Burgundy is a legend.