NHL Stanley Cup Playoff 2014 First Round Preview
Another great NHL season is in the books. The majority of those who remain are the teams we expected to still be standing by the regular season’s end. Some have turned out to be surprises, teams that were counted out early in the season and made a swift turnaround to surge into the postseason. Given all the teams that will begin making a run for the Cup tomorrow afternoon, there is a strong potential for yet another great postseason.
The East
The East features more quality teams than the West bar none. The Boston Bruins have re-surged themselves and are primed for a return to the Finals, thanks in large part to the brilliant play of Tuukka Rask and the scoring chances their offense seems to continually generate regularly. Detroit is anchored by Pavel Datsyuk and a strong defense that can become the unofficial team that no one will want to play if they can strike down Boston in the first round. The Tampa Bay Bolts can also be a real threat if they are to down Max Pacioretty, P.K. Suban and the Canadiens early on. Pitt remains the team everyone is wondering when and if they’ll be winning a Cup here shortly, and they can start convincing everyone they can by sweeping the very unmatched Blue Jackets. Then there are the Flyers and Rangers, both whom got have to shaky starts in the regular season. Both are heavy sleepers, and depending on who wins this a series and in what fashion of which they do so, it’s very likely that if nothing else, we’ll see the winner of that series in the Conference Finals.
Bruins V.S. Red Wings
Boston is the best team right now, and that goes a long way in the postseason. When their defense breaks down, Rask can more often than not repel scoring chances, and Patrice Begeron and Jerome Iginla have the hot sticks on offense to bury pucks. Datsyuk can only carry this team so far without a strong offensive supporting cast, which will place a heavy burden on the albeit superb defense and goaltender. Look for Detroit to make the series competitive, but take an early exit. Boston: 4-3
Bolts V.S. Canadians
If you where wondering when the Bolts were really going to regret trading Martin St. Louis to the Rangers, this will be it. Their ex-X-Factor will be sorely missed in this series. Montreal has talent at every position, and I don’t believe they’re in the mood for another early Playoff exit two years in a row. Montreal: 4-1
Pens V.S. Blue Jackets
We’re all wondering when this powerhouse of the East in the Pittsburgh Penguins will win another Stanley Cup. Since their championship season in 2009, they’ve declined in postseason performance greatly. Crosby, Malkin, and the recently returned Kris Letang, along with the rest of Pitt will have to perform much better than last year when they were swept in dominant fashion by Boston. They can start by sweeping the Blue Jackets, who’ve been very inconsistent all season and should be glad they’ve made it to the postseason. Pitt: 4-0
Rangers V.S. Flyers
Then we have New York and Philly, perhaps the most intriguing teams of the East this season. All of us counted them out in the early going of the regular season, but have since played solid hockey and finished their season series in a 2-2 deadlock. Look for the goaltenders to be the X-factors. It’s seems this is always the time of year when Henrik Lundqvist is at his best, and Steve Mason has done his job down the stretch. Offensively, expect Rick Nash and Claude Giroux to be the difference makers. The season series was tightly contested, we should think this playoff series will be no different. Philly: 4-3
The West
Very few teams in the West would be able to contend with whoever wins the East, those few are the Ducks, Blues, and Avalanche, the only true consistent teams of that conference. The Ducks should remain dominant on their home ice, and that’ll be pivotal. The Blues and Avalanche should look to grind out the rest of the way and play tough hockey, wherever their end may be. The Hawks, Stars, Kings, Sharks, and Wild are at the lower tier. The Sharks and Kings should be the sleepers in the West, and expect their series to be very competitive. The Stars have played inspired hockey since the Peverley incident, but it can only carry them so far. The Wild will see a very early exit unless they can turn things around quickly. As for the Hawks, their recent porous play will get them nowhere.
Avalanche V.S. Wild
The Avalanche realistically should have no problem taking care of Minnesota. Much like the Blue Jackets, the Wild have played completely inconsistent all season, and even a smidgen of that kind of performance will cost them. Beware, for this series could get ugly quick. Colorado: 4-0
Blues V.S. Hawks
The Blackhawks are at a crossroads without Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and their record down the stretch has shown for it. Do not be surprised if the Blues blow Chicago out in every game the series could potentially have, and that should be a quick, ugly four. St. Louis: 4-0
Ducks V.S. Stars
For all you people riding the #PrayforPeverley since it happened, do not be disappointed if it all comes to an abrupt end first round. The Anaheim Ducks are virtually unstoppable at home, and they’ve mustered an impressive road showing as well. Dallas should receive one win at most, other than that, it’ll be all Mighty Ducks. Anaheim: 4-1
Sharks V.S. Kings
Ah, a good ole crosstown rivalry in the postseason, what more could you want? Not only are both teams looking for bragging rights, but looking to just flat out punish the opposite group. The Kings may have the lower seed, but they should take what will be a very close series on the hinges of great defense, the best American goaltender in the league today, and an offense that seems to score at the most opportune times. Johnathan Quick and Antti Niemi will have a big series. Each game should not be decided by more than a goal, and the early goals could end up being the game winners given the defensive caliber of both teams. LA: 4-3
