NHL PLAYOFFS: FIRST ROUND PREVIEW
 EASTERN CONFERENCE

April 19, 2006
By Josh Brewster

OTTAWA VS TAMPA
CAROLINA VS MONTREAL
NEW JERSEY VS NEW YORK RANGERS
BUFFALO VS PHILADELPHIA

1 OTTAWA VS 8 TAMPA BAY
(DEF. CUP CHAMP)

Ottawa heads into the playoffs like they usually do, looking like they might roll all the way to the finals.  This year, it’s the Dany Heatley Show, replete with a 50-goal season under his belt.  Addition of Tyler Arnason (from CHI) almost an afterthought.  Daniel Alfredsson (77GP; 43-60-103) enjoyed career year, but some will question his leadership more than ever if the Sens fail to reach the conference final at least.  Too many playoff failures around this franchise, which finished atop the Eastern Conference. 

What will the Senators do if Ray Emery falters in net?  He certainly gave no indication that he’s not up to the task, having won NHL defensive player of the month for March.  But this is the postseason, and all eyes will be on Dominik Hasek’s replacement.  On defense, the Sens’ Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Brian Pothier and Anton Volchenkov will have their hands full against Tampa’s Brad Richards (82GP; 23-68-91) and Vaclav Prospal (81GP; 25-55-80).  Not to mention that Martin St. Louis and Fredrik Modin both reached the 30 goal mark this year; Vincent Lecavalier netted 35. 

On defense, the ‘Bolts have said goodbye to Jassen Cullimore, but Darrel Sydor, Paul Ranger, Dan Boyle and Pavel Kubina saw action in almost all Lightning games this year, so the Tampa defensive unit if more prepared than many believe.  In net, the ‘Bolts have had a question mark over their goaltenders (Sean Burke and Jon Grahame) for the entire season, so the pressure is probably off by now.  Whatever happens, happens, and who knows?  Maybe Jon Tortorella will hit the panic button and call for rookie Gerald Coleman. 

PREDICTION: ‘Bolts will win a couple on skills and pride, but the overall lineup of the Senators will overpower the defending Stanley Cup champions.  OTTAWA IN 6.

2 CAROLINA VS 7 MONTREAL

One thing that doesn’t get discussed too often is how willing the Hurricanes are to stick up for one another on the ice.  It’s an intangible, but it’s present, with Mike Commodore and Rod Brind’Amour bringing some mustard.  Keep an eye on this quality throughout this series.

Led by Eric Staal (82GP; 45-55-100), the ‘Canes have an overpowering offense that with which Montreal will be hard-pressed to contend.  Justin Williams saw action in all 82 games and potted 31 goals.  Ditto Brind’Amour, who netted the same in 78 and will likely walk away with the Selke Trophy for top defensive forward.  Eric Cole added 30 goals in 60 games and is back in action after a broken neck.  Former Anaheim and Florida afterthought Matt Cullen an astute pickup for GM Jim Rutherford; nets 25 goals of his own for a career high.  Rutherford snags Ray Whitney in the offseason, Mark Recchi and Doug Weight are added late.  Swift guy, that Rutherford.  Lots of potential here.  Can it be knocked off in the first round?

If the Canadiens continue to get good production from late-season bloomer Chris Higgins (80GP; 23-15-38), and if Mike Ribiero snaps out of his season-long funk (79GP; 16-35-51), then maybe the Habs will begin to generate offense.  It’s been a problem all year, and only the tenacious Michael Ryder (81GP; 30-25-55) cracked 30 goals.  Saku Koivu went pointless in 23 straight games this season.  Sheldon Souray, Mathieu Dandenault, Mark Streit, Craig Rivet and Mike Komisarek make for a surprisingly competent defense.  Aebischer and/or Huet will appear in net, which is good, too, for the Habs.

But--and you knew this was coming—Hurricane goaltender Martin Gerber is primed to put on a top-notch, breakthrough performance in an NHL playoff series.  Don’t be surprised if he stones the Habs cold.

PREDICTION: Gerber rules nets, makes headlines throughout. CAROLINA IN 4. 

3 NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS
6 NEW YORK RANGERS

No one wants to walk into the potential meat grinder that is the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs.  No one.

Who knew that GM Lou Lamoriello would end up leading the Devil brigade to the postseason, after the slow first half that this club had, adjusting to the loss of Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko to retirement, Norris trophy-winning defenseman Scott Niedermayer to Anaheim?  No one.

If recent experience in the postseason is valuable, then the Devils should have a pretty good handle on the Rangers, what with Patrik Elias (38GP; 16-29-45) missed a good deal of time to injury, but he’s as hot as ever, and has been to two Cup parades with the Devils.  Brian Gionta (82GP; 48-41-89) soared to the elite of NHL scorers this season, and cranked 291 enthusiastic shots on net.  A major breakthrough for Gionta, who won Stanley silver in 2003 over the Ducks.  Scott Gomez enjoyed his first 30-goal season.  Jamie Langenbrunner saw action in 80 games.  The Rangers will have more than their hands full.

On defense, Brian Rafalski is THE MAN now, and Brad Lukowich is resurgent since joining Lamoriello’s club.  Lou anointed them in the Stevens/Niedermayer roles and they’ve both welcomed the challenge.  In goal: Martin Brodeur.  ‘Nuff said.

Where does that leave the Rangers?  Oddly enough, after a huge season that might net Jaromir Jagr the Hart (82GP; 54-69-123), they face some comparative uncertainty in the face of the Devils.  Martin Straka good for 76 points, Michael Nylander 79.  Rookie Peter Prucha good for 30 goals despite appearing in only 68 games, is an eighth round wonder, picked in 2002 by GM Glen Sather. 

A nice assemblage of parts that played very well during the regular season, and an outstanding rookie goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist (2.24GAA; 30-12-9).  But does the Devils’ experience in the playoffs trump the upstart Rangers?

PREDICTION: Major frustration for NY forwards not named Jagr.  DEVILS IN 6. 

4 BUFFALO VS 5 PHILADELPHIA

If speed kills, the Buffalo Sabres are lethal.

No one knew who Jason Pominville was before this season started.  Then he potted 18 goals.  Forgotten Tim Connolly (63GP; 16-39-55) was out with injuries for two years, then he came back this year and came alive.  Defenseman Brian Campbell chipped in 12 goals, five on the power play.  Jean-Pierre Dumont scored 20 goals in just 54 games played.  Surprises abound in Buffalo, and the season wasn’t over until the Sabres finished with two straight shutouts, one for each goaltender. 

In addition, Ales Kotalik, rookie Tomas Vanek and Daniel Briere all popped 25 goals this season.  Captain Chris Drury managed 30 goals and appeared in 81 games.  On defense, the Sabres snagged Teppo Numminen and Toni Lydman, two of the most underrated deals of the offseason.  Nifty Derek Roy is one of the swiftest centers in the NHL and you probably never heard of him.

In net, Hobey Baker winner Ryan Miller (2.60 GAA/.914 %) emerged as a bona fide NHL star, and backup Martin Biron rattled off 13 consecutive victories when Miller was injured.  Top NHL netminding tandem, hands-down. 

The Flyers, on the other hand, have some big names.  Peter Forsberg (60GP; 19-56-75) has been in and out with injuries, but you can be sure he’ll find a way to play.  Strong Simon Gagne potted 47 goals.  Mike Knuble, 34.  Don’t be surprised to see Keith Primeau reappear in the playoffs.  Scary offense, and this club lost over 400 man games to injury this year.  Somehow, they’re resilient.  Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger both netted over 20 goals.  The Flyers are a deep club.

On defense, Derian Hatcher will bring the hammer down, and hard, against Buffalo’s forwards.  Can he stay out of the penalty box?  Eric Weinrich has looked sketchy lately. Joni Pitkanen had a breakthrough year on defense, adding 13 goals. 

In net, Antero Niittymaki and Robert Esche have an identical GAA: 2.97. Esche will start in game one.

PREDICTION: Sabres’ depth and speed beats Flyers big names.  BUFFALO IN 6.

  2008 Western Hockey Network 

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