This is easier to do than the western half of the NHL. The big question is who's going to stop Washington this year? And the answer is... noooooooobody.
Eastern Conference
Montréal Canadiens (just squeaked into 8th place) have the unenviable task of trying to put out the Washington Capitals (1st). Washington's goaltending (including ex-Hab Jose Theodore) is suspect, but Canadiens go-to guy, Jaroslav Halak, has had a poor finish to the season. The Habs offence is MIA, and the mercy rule may have to be invoked to keep Alexander Ovechkin and company from reaching double digits. Caps in 4.
Philadelphia Flyers (7th) face Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils (2nd). I said it that way for a reason. Flyers only finished in 7th because of the Canadiens meltdown at season's end. Brian Boucher is a journeyman goalie at best, but Brodeur...what can you say? Give the Flyers one for the pest factor, but Devils in 5.
Boston Bruins (6th) vs Buffalo Sabres (3rd) is not as good a match as it looks on paper. Bruins have struggled all season to put the puck in the net and goaltending is a question mark. Sabres have Vanek back -- four goals in his last game of the season -- and Ryan Miller is the best goalie in the east. Sabres could put just Miller and Vanek on the ice and the Bruins would still lose. 5 games, maybe 6, tops.
Ottawa Senators (5th) meet Sid the Kid and the Pittsburgh Penguins (4th). Bad luck for the sens that these two teams finished where they did. Now they have to contend with not just Crosby but Evgeny Malkin and a super-strong offence. Even with mediocre goaltending, I can't see Pittsburgh losing. Pens in 5.
Footnote: The other game which I'll actually pay to see is lacrosse. And yes, there is a professional lacrosse league in the Great Lakes and northeastern USA region.
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