The Playoffs have begun and are filled with a number of exciting matchups! FanXchange.com is your source to not only attend these much anticipated games, but to give insight on what makes each and every 1st round matchup attractive to the viewer. There are three Canadian teams in action and we hope that you will show your support by checking out your Hometown Team Live!
Let us begin in Washington where The #1 Capitals faceoff vs. The #8 Montreal Canadiens.
The Capitals have had much success during the regular season, having won the President’s trophy. The team looks to take this success and go straight for the cup! The team’s playoff logo is “26 Guys, 1 Team, 1 Goal!” That goal being the Stanley Cup. While in past years the Caps have lacked playoff success, they are looking to end it this year beginning against Montreal.
The Canadiens come into this series as an 8 seed which does not bring them much hope, however given that the Canadiens have an NHL leading 24 Stanley Cups they look to continue their success in the playoffs by fighting hard to upset the Caps.
The flashy Caps offence may be too much for the Canadiens. The team lives and dies through Ovechkin and Semin, among others. If Montreal can shut the duo down, they will have a great chance of moving on. In our own opinion, the duo will just be too much for Montreal and leave the Canadiens golfing in May.
The tickets for these games are selling quickly, as much like Montreal, Washington has packed the house at the Verizon Center. The atmosphere in both venues will be electric!
Prediction: Caps in 5
#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers
This series is intriguing not only because the two cities are in such close proximity to one another, but because of the goaltending matchup. It is simply one of experience in Martin Brodeur against Brian Boucher who has literally no experience. Playoff hockey is all about good goaltending, so if New Jersey is going to have any success they will need Brodeur to utilize his experience in taking the team to the promised land.
The Devils are a defensive minded team, while the Flyers bring a powerful scoring attack, especially on the power play. The Flyers were very successful against Jersey this year having posted a 5-1 record in head to head matchups. The biggest question will be if Ilya Kovalchuk can show up in these playoffs after being traded to New Jersey near the trade deadline to enhance their scoring touch during their playoff drive. Brodeur will also be looking to become only the second goalie to record 100 career wins in the NHL Playoffs.
This series will continue a great rivalry of nearby cities. Why not check out a home game at each venue if you live in the area?
Prediction: Devils in 7
#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins
To all my fellow Leaf fans, I hate to say it but another season without the playoffs may mean we should look to other markets to catch some playoff action. Why not make the cross border trip to Buffalo and enjoy some playoff hockey. We have your tickets, and playoff hockey as we know from past years is an experience like no other!
Anyways, back to business. Ryan Miller not only led the Americans to a silver medal, but backstopped his Sabres squad to a third place finish in the Eastern Conference. He is the one goalie in the NHL who if he gets hot, I would not want to face. Is it going to be “MILLER TIME”?
Tuuka hopes to bring a Rask of hope for the Bruins in net. This former Leaf draft pick has had an amazing year in Boston and hopes to gain success in his first NHL Playoffs. He will need to be very good in net, as the Bruins lack a scoring touch. Both teams tend to be defensive minded, but the play will dictate who has the hotter goalie.
Prediction: Sabres in 6
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators
These two teams are becoming heated rivals, having faced off against one another in 3of the past 4 years. It will all come down to if Ottawa’s young defensemen can contain the two headed monster of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. To us, that is very unlikely, however the Sens did not get this far without some great scoring of their own. It should be a high scoring series that will be very exciting for all. To all Ottawa residents: Support your team and just remember you can also support Mr. Gold (Sidney Crosby) who helped the Canadian Olympic team score a Gold just a few months ago.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 6
Stay tuned for our Western Conference Preview and Predictions tomorrow.
Team FanX
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