(Note, sorry for the delay in getting it up)
Washington (1) vs Tampa Bay (5)
Which team comes in hotter? Washington was swift and methodical in sending the Rangers to the golf course, while Tampa Bay clawed back from 3-1 down against the Penguins.
Offence
Washington
The Big Guy, Ovie had three goals, but they were all pretty important. He added three assists while the other Alex, Semin also notched three goals in the five games.
Marcus Johansson and Brooks Laich gave stellar performances, and Jason Chimera was clutch with two game winnings goals. Jason Arnott provided his experience and savvy.
Matt Green scored a goal and added four assists from the blueline.
Tampa Bay
The Lightning scored more as the series went on against the Pens.
St Louis 4-4-8
Gagne 2-5-7
Downie 1-6-7
Lecavalier 2-4-6
Purcell 1-4-5
Stamkos, though, was held to just 2-2-4. Bergenheim scored three times.
From the point, Eric Brewer had a goal and five assists.
You know though, I watched that series against the Pens in earnest. The Lightning were shutout in game 1, scored just twice in games 3 and 4 and just once in game seven. Yes, I know winning overcomes everything, but they'd better be more consistent game to game in getting pucks through.
Edge: (Slight) Tampa Bay
Defence
Washington
Jeff Schultz was an impressive +5 in the 4 games to 1 triumph. Also tightening the screws on d were Scott Hannan, Green and John Erskin.
Semin led all forward with a plus 4. Erich Fehr, despite playing only two games, was a plus 3.
Tampa Bay
Despite all that offence, the best any defenceman could muster in a series like this was vetran Mathias Ohlund's +3. Bret Clark was second on the point with a plus 2.
It was actually Right Winger Steve Downie who led the team in +/- in the first round with a +5.
Edge: (Neither slight nor wide) Washington
Goaltending
Washington
Michal Neuvirth's numbers, now were they better than they appear. 4-1, 1.38 GAA, .946 S% and even his first playoff shutout in his first ever playoff series. Hmmmm, the Caps have answered they're playoff troubles? We'll see if it continues.
Tampa Bay
Dwayne Roloson gutted it out with a 4-3 record, 1.77 GAA and a S% of .949. He got a huge, game seven, 36 save shutout performance, to get the Lightning here. Can he continue? It's hard to say. He has the experience (over 40 playoff games) and the age (42 later this year)
Edge: Neither
Prediction: Washington in 7 games.
Philadelphia Flyers(2) vs Boston Bruins(3)
Boston overcame a 2-0 series deficit to come back and beat their hated rivals, the Habs (for just the 9th time in 33 playoff meetings). Meanwhile, Buffalo gave Philly all they could handle before falling in seven games, as well.
Offence
Philadelphia
Strong team offence carried the Flyers past the Sabers, and they netted 22 goals in that series.
Giroux came through with 9 points, although he scored just once. Danny Briere scored six times, though, and finished with 7 points.
Failing to score in the seven well played game against Buffalo were Mike Richards and Chris Versteeg although each had 5 assists.
James Van Riemsdyk scored four times and another left winger, Ville Leion scored 3. Scott Hartnell, despite just one goal, should be watched in this series.
As for the blueline, Andrei Meszaros had just one goal but four assists. Kimmo Timonen scored just once as well, but had 3 assists. Matt Carle potted nothing in the twine, but had 4 assists.
Boston
Patrice Bergeron came on with 7 points and Chris Kelly was right behind him with 6. Still another center, Brad Marchand had a goal and 4 assist.
Rich Beverly put up the same numbers as Marchand, while 43 year old Mark Recchi, with his goal in game 7, became the oldest player to ever score in a game seven. (Take that Gordie and Chris).
The other player to look out for is right winger Nathan Horton, who had 3 goals.
From the point came Andrew Ference with a goal and 3 assists. Dennis Seidenberg had a goal and 2 assists.
Edge: (slight) Philadelphia
Defence
Philadelphia
Kimmo Timonen was a very impressive plus 9, while Braydon Coburn was a plus 6.
But look for two veterans to step it up in this series.
First we have the return of Chris Pronger, who was so instrumental in getting Philly to the finals last year. And while we're on the topic of experience, Sean O'Donnell was an even 0 in the series, but he will probably get more ice time this series, and I expect him to play better.
Versteeg is at plus 6 right now to lead all Flyer forwards, just ahead of Giroux and Richards, who were each a plus 5.
Boston
Ference was a very good +6, which lead the team. Surprisingly enough, almost all the other defencemen were low.
The acquired Kaberle was only +1 as was Zedeno Chara, and Seidenberg was -2.
Some were better, though. Adam McQuaid was a +3 and Johnny Boychuk the same.
But it was the forwards that impressed me with the +/-.
Bergeron, for instance was a +5, as was Marchand. Right behind them was Kelly with +4 and Peverly with +3. Recchi, belying his 43 years, was a plus 4, if you can believe it. Michael Ryder's +3 isn't too bad either.
Edge: (Slight) Boston
Goaltending
Philadelphia
So once again it came down to Brian Boucher. The minute BobrovskyGAA (2.10) and a high S% .934. What was most impressive was that two of the wins were in relief.
Will the Flyers stick with him? Here's where it gets interesting.
Late in the season, the Flyers called up Michael Leighton. This is the same Leighton who played an important part in the Flyers run to the Stanley Cup Final. He wasn't suppost to contribute. But injuries to Ray Emery and Brian Boucher forced him in, and he took advantage of it.
I was so sure he wasn't going to play, despite a late season call up, that I didn't even mention him in my first round predicition. Lo and behold, he did play! Twice. Although, he didn't do much. Still the fact that he is here suggest the Flyers will use him if both Boucher and Bobrovsky struggle.
Boucher, right now I'm high on. I think he's just someone who knows how to play in the postseason. Bobrovsky, I'm not sure of. And frankly, I think the Flyers will be the same. It's going to be Boucher in game 1, and we'll see from there!
Boston
The Bruins took no chances with Rask and stuck it out with Thomas for all seven games. Talk about a difference from Philly's situation!
Thomas was 4-3, of course, but his GAA was 2.25, and he gutted it out in that overtime in game 7, which always helps. A .926 S% isn't quite as good as Boucher's, but given his rough start in the first two games and then needing four out of five to close out the Habs, he comes into this series on a hot note.
Edge: Neither (Hey! This one is too close to call as well, okay?)
Prediction: Boston in seven games
References
"Official Site of the National Hockey League." NHL.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2011.
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