NHL Playoffs 2013, Eastern Conference: Notes And Observations

Pittsburgh (1) VS New York Islanders (8)

Sid: (if and when)

Tavares: how will he handle his first playoff series?

Both goalies:  40 or more wins in the postseason, who will be better?

Montreal (2) VS Ottawa (7)

Does Montreal play like they did in their first 38 games (25-8-5) or their last 10 games (4-6-0)?

So Karlsson is back (and looking not the least bit out of place), but Spezza isn’t! Pressure on Alfie to be the veteran presence

First playoff Series between the Canadians and this version of the Sens, although the original Sens faced the Habs for the last time in 1927

Washington (3) VS New York Rangers (6)

Does Ovie continue with the hot hand?

Will Marc Staal (with a visor this time!) be back?

How does Oates fare in his first NHL playoff series as a coach?

Boston (4) VS Toronto (5)

First playoff meeting by these two teams since 1974 and the Leafs haven’t beaten Boston in the playoffs since 1959!

Battle of the homer commentators, but having listened to both Bowen and Edwards, I can tell you Jack is way worse!

Battle Of The Goalies That No One Quite Believes In: Reimer (first goalie to take the Leafs to the postseason since Belfour) and Rask (The Thomas Replacement factor)


References

"Official Site of the National Hockey League.” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.