NHL Eastern Conference: Who's Going To the Second Round?

The Eastern Conference has only posted three championship teams since 2000, but this could be the year for the Eastern Conference. Lets take a look at the matchups!

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadiens (Boston won season series 5-0-1)

A little fact for you hockey fans: The most frequent playoff matchup in the history of the NHL is Boston vs. Montreal. These two teams have faced off 31 times in the history of the NHL. Montreal has won 24 of the 31 playoff matchups against Boston. However, Boston is the top seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

This season the Bruins were on fire against Carey Price. Montreal goaltending averaged just under four goals a game against Boston, however they could only muster out two goals a game against Boston.

Also, Boston has won eight of their last 10 games, while Montreal has lost four games in a row. There are two x-factors that could make a play in who wins the series. Montreal will ride with very high momentum at their home games. It is Montreal's 100th season in the NHL, and the Bell Centre will be rocking hard in Montreal. Carey Price is the second x-factor. Can he show us why exactly he was voted to the NHL All-Star game this year, or will he show us why Boston is the top ranked team in the Eastern Conference?

My Prediction: Boston in Five

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers (Capitals won season series 3-0-1)

This will be a match up of offensive fire power. Henrik Lundqvist is easily the best player on the New York Rangers. He has struggled against the Capitals all season as the Rangers offense struggled against them as well. Other then the New York Islanders, nobody has scored less goals in the Eastern Conference than the New York Rangers, and other then the Boston Bruins, nobody has scored more goals in the Eastern Conference than the Washington Capitals.

Jose Theodore didn't play lights out this season, but he plays with an offense that can help him out a lot. If the Rangers want to win, they need to score goals, and Lundqvist needs to play perfect. Literally. Sadly, I don't see that happening for the Rangers.

My Prediction: Washington in Four

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes (Carolina won season series 3-1)

In what may be the most intriguing matchup of the first round, the New Jersey Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes. This is the only matchup in the first round of the playoffs where the underdog has had a better season series record.

Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur have faced off once during the regular season. In that game, the 'Canes won 2-1 as Martin Brodeur made 46 saves, and Ward made 31 saves to edge the Hurricanes over the Devils. The Hurricanes have been lighting up goalies since March however, averaging just under four goals per game.

The leader of the Hurricanes in March was Eric Staal. Staal has 29 points in his last 20 games including two hat tricks since March. Carolina has been on fire since March going 13-3-2, while New Jersey teetered from second place to third by going 11-8-1. This series should go down to the wire.

My Prediction: Carolina in Seven.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers (Pittsburgh won season series 4-2, Philadelphia went 2-2-2)

At one point before the All-Star break, Pittsburgh was looking embarrassing. They didn't even look like a playoff team. In fact, they were 11th in the Eastern Conference at one point. Change of coach, change of players, and change of attitude came soon, as the team took two steps forward and sprinted full speed towards the finish. Pittsburgh's duo of Malkin and Crosby are arguably the best in the league. However, Philadelphia's tandem of Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne have put up more goals.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been considered inconsistent to many, but facts are facts, and he is the same goalie that led this Pittsburgh Penguins team to the Stanley Cup finals last season. However this is the not the same team as last year's. This year's team has better offense then last year's team. However the defensive side of the puck has slid a little bit as well.

Hands down, if the Penguins want to repeat, they got to play some defense and they need to play smart hockey. Jeff Carter is money on the power play, as the Flyers power-play percentage was at 22.5%. The Flyers still have that Broad Street Bully in them as they were second in the NHL in penalty minutes.

The Penguins have got to make something of their power-play which was not been much of year, as they were 20th in the league. The Penguins have got to play smart hockey to beat the Flyers.

My Prediction: Pittsburgh in Six

Second Round Predictions:

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins