A Look At The Playoff Matchups

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 Ottawa Senators vs. #8 NY Islanders

Season matchup: 2-1-1 NYI

Goalie matchup: Niemi (Ott) vs. C.Ward (NYI)
Edge: Niemi had the better regular season, but Ward could steal some games.

So even though Ottawa is the #1 seed, it was the Islanders who had the upper hand during the regular season. This could prove to be a closer series than one might think. 4-3 OTT.

#2 Florida Panthers vs. #7 BOSTON BRUINS

Season matchup: 2-1-1 FLA

Goalie matchup: Crawford (Fla) vs. Roloson (Bos)
Edge: Crawford had the better season, but Rollie has been a stellar playoff performer.

The Florida Panthers didn't have much difficulties with the Bruins, but the Bruins 'did' win the final game between the clubs, at Florida by a 2-1 score. Due to the Bruins' poor play heading into the playoffs, we'll say 4-2 FLA.

#3 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #6 Toronto Maple Leafs

Season matchup: 2-0-2 PIT

Goalie matchup: Hiller (Pit) vs. Bryzgalov (Tor)
Edge: Both had good numbers, but Hiller was better and feels more solid.

The Penguins didn't lose a single game vs. Toronto, so should this be any indication of what we'll see in this playoff matchup, the Penguins should advance. Therefore we'll say 4-1 PIT.

#4 NY Rangers vs. #5 Winnipeg Jets

Season matchup: 4-0-0 WIN

Goalie matchup: Price (NYR) vs. Anderson (Win)
Edge: Slight edge to Price during the season. Price should and needs to be better here.

The closest series on paper is the most loopsided looking at the games during the regular season. If this continues or not we'll see. I think it'll be closer than that, 4-2 WIN.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks

Season matchup: 4-0-0 S.J

Goalie matchup: Lundqvist (S.J) vs. Vokoun (Chi)
Edge: Vokoun had better numbers and needs to outplay Lundqvist to give his team a chance.

No contest, right? Well, probably not looking at what the Sharks did to the Blackhawks during the regular season. But one should never bet against a group like Chicago, or? The Sharks feel too strong, 4-1 S.J.

#2 Minnesota Wild vs. #7 St. Louis Blues

Season matchup: 3-1-0 MIN

Goalie matchup: Dubnyk (Min) vs. Kiprusoff (Stl)
Edge: Dubnyk had the better numbers, but Kipper is capable of playing big when needed.

The Wild won the first three games over the Blues during the regular season, but the Blues 'did' get an impressive 8-4 win in the final game with Crosby in the lineup. I'm sorry, this could go either way, but I'll go for the surprise win, 4-3 STL.

#3 Nashville Predators vs. #6 Dallas Stars

Season matchup: 3-1-0 DAL

Goalie matchup: Quick (Nas) vs. Rinne (Dal)
Edge: Rinne had the better stats, but both had great seasons. Quick needs to match that.

Dallas won the first three games vs. the Predators, but the Preds won the last one and have home-ice advantage. Will NHL Conn Smythe winner Quick carry his team or will Rinne be enough for the Stars, who knows. I don't. I'll go with 4-2 NAS.

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Vancouver Canucks

Season matchup: 2-1-1 VAN

Goalie matchup: Luongo (Phx) vs. Thomas (Van)
Edge: Luongo had amazing numbers, but so did Thomas. Should be a great goalie matchup.

Vancouver only lost the last game between the two clubs, but in that game Tim Thomas was rested. This could go either way, but I think Thomas could be the difference, 4-2 VAN.