Here is my preview of the Eastern Conference quarter finals of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Detroit versus Boston
Unbelievably, the Detroit Red Wings, a model sports franchise that so many others have attempted to copy through the years, have reached the playoffs for the 23rd straight season.
This is despite the Red Wings having been decimated with injuries for most of the year.
That they’re even in the big show is a testament to their coach, Mike Babcock, and to the series of bit-part players who have almost become superstars in the Motor City. Whichever way you look at it, the Red Wings’ achievement in 2013-14 is nothing short of supreme.
Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to advance to the Eastern semi-finals. In my estimation, Boston are the best team in the East and the Red Wings are going to find themselves running into a buzz saw.
There are so many game-winners on the Bruins roster. Even their fourth line has a habit of scoring clutch goals. Their defence is top notch and Tuukka Rask might be the best goalie in the NHL right now.
Prediction: Bruins, easily. A shame to say it, but Detroit don’t have nearly enough of their stars healthy to match it with the B’s.
Tampa Bay versus Montreal
I am honestly not sure which way this series is going to fall. It has the feel of one that could be decided on a bad penalty or a moment of individual brilliance. Certainly, both teams are stacked with stars.
Steven Stamkos is a gun for the Lightning, and Montreal boast forward Daniel Briere and defensive weapons PK Subban – he of the Howitzer-like shot – and Max Pacioretty. The Montreal Penalty Kill has been supreme this season, and their skaters in a four-on-five situation aren’t going to make things easy for Stamkos and co.
The goalie match-up is an intriguing one. Youngster Ben Bishop, who has had injury concerns of late, for the Lightning and the oft-maligned but gold medal-winning Carey Price for Montreal. Given that these teams are so evenly matched, it may come down to who is the better goalie on any given night.
Prediction: I’ve got a feeling that this one will go seven games. As for who wins, I’m going with Tampa Bay, partly because Stamkos is the best player on either side, but mostly because the Lightning will have home ice advantage in a Game 7 situation.
Columbus versus Pittsburgh
The Blue Jackets survived the roulette of the last week of the regular season to book their spot in the playoffs, and then have the misfortune of coming up against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Jackets have found some success this year, and it starts with the brilliant Sergei Bobrovsky in the net. Their defensive corps are pretty good, too, anchored by veteran Jack Johnson, and up forward the promising Ryan Johansen has had a breakout season. Even so, the fact that they barely scraped into the playoffs is a concern.
A major concern, considering their opponent is the Penguins, whose form throughout the regular season suggests that they are poised for a deep run into the playoffs. In fact, I’ve pencilled them into the Eastern Conference Finals.
There’s nothing that I don’t like about the Pens. From Marc Andre Fleury in goal, through a solid defence, aided by the timely return of star D-man Kris Letang, to superstars like Crosby, Malkin on the forward line. It’s a hard team to beat. Suffice to say, the Blue Jackets won’t.
Prediction: Penguins, easily, but the young Columbus team will benefit greatly from the experience of being in the post-season.
Philadelphia versus NY Rangers
Hard to be objective about this one because the Rangers are my team. This series, between fierce, long-time rivals, is one featuring two teams who started the season absolutely horribly, but have enjoyed a dramatic resurgence mid-year, and have been among the best in the East ever since.
The Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in goal, and there are few better net-minders in the league. He’s made a living out of bailing out the Rangers in big games throughout his career. If he’s on, he’s a brick wall.
The Ranger offense is clicking at the right time, too, with big guns Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin getting among the goals and points at the right time.
On the other side, Philadelphia’s star sniper Claude Giroux is a major threat to score every time he’s on the ice. He might not be as good a player as Sidney Crosby – despite what his coach says – but there’s no doubt he’s in the upper echelon of NHL stars and can light it up when he’s on.
As always, the question mark around Philadelphia is their goaltending. It’s never a certain thing in Philly and hasn’t been for seasons. They tend to live and die by their goalie, Steve Mason. If he’s having a good day, it’s a great day. If he’s having a bad day, things can get rough.
Prediction: The two teams are very even, right down to the way their seasons have fluctuated, and this is a series that might go to seven. I have to take the Rangers.
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