1.It helped them finish seventh with 56 points to avoid the Pens. Ottawa will play Northeast winner Montreal in an all Canadian first round.
2.They prevented the Bruins from winning the Northeast. By losing their last two, Boston lost the division to the Canadiens by a point. Montreal gained the East’s No.2 seed while the Bruins slipped to No.4. They’ll host nemesis Toronto in an Original Six match-up. There’s no love lost between the two. It should be a great series.
Here are the East First Round Series:
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8) New York Islanders-Clinching their first playoff berth in six years, the Islanders are hoping to become Spring darlings. They’ll have to deal with the arsenal of the mighty Pens featuring Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Matt Cooke, Paul Martin, James Neal, Brandon Sutter along with deadline pick ups Jussi Jokinen, Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Doug Murray. Marc-Andre Fleury faces Evgeni Nabokov.
The Islanders counter with Hart candidate John Tavares centering Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes. A potent line that’s dangerous on the power play. Second line Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo have become a solid fore-checking trio. The Isles also feature shorthanded threat Michael Grabner along with bangers Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald will see a lot of Crosby and Malkin. Mark Streit and Lubomir Visnovsky must provide offense. From a physical standpoint, they match up. It’s a tall order.
(2) Montreal Canadiens vs (7) Ottawa Senators-By prevailing over the Bruins, Ottawa avoided Pittsburgh and instead will face Montreal. The Canadiens were consistent most of the year until a late swoon almost cost them the division. They rebounded to beat Toronto and hope that will be a harbinger of things to come. It’s the best team they’ve had in years. Boasting a balanced lineup that includes Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta, Michael Ryder, Max Pacioretty, Lars Eller, David Desharnais, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk and Brandon Prust along with blueline tandem P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, the Habs aren’t reliant on one guy. They rely on Carey Price, who has pressure to deliver. Don’t forget gritty Josh Gorges and rookie defenseman Jared Tinordi who they’re hoping can provide toughness minus Alexei Emelin.
The Senators are here largely on the play of Craig Anderson and backup Robin Lehner, who has provided steadiness in net. Erik Karlsson’s return is heroic. He is such a weapon which can change a series. Karlsson teams with Sergei Gonchar on the power play. Key cog Chris Phillips left tonight with a lower body injury. Jared Cowen just returned and Patrick Wiercioch can contribute. Minus Jason Spezza, the Sens do it by committee led by captain Daniel Alfredsson and Kyle Turris. Mike Zibanejad and Jacob Silfverberg are gifted rookies with game breaking speed. Cory Conacher is too but has struggled since coming from Tampa for Ben Bishop. Ottawa can depend on Chris Neil, Colin Greening and Zach Smith to mix it up. They need offense from Milan Michalek and ex-Hab Guillaume Latendresse. It may very well come down to goaltending.
(3) Washington Capitals vs (6) New York Rangers-The Caps turned around their year due to Alex Ovechkin rediscovering his MVP form. He’s back to sniping and is lethal every shift. Adam Oates deserves credit for turning him loose. Ovechkin has shouldered the burden without Alex Semin. Ovechkin led the league with 32 goals and 16 power play goals. He tied with Crosby for second in scoring behind Marty St. Louis. Washington isn’t just Ovi with center tandem Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Ribeiro dangerous playmakers. The Caps still boast Mike Green and John Carlson along with front man Troy Brouwer. Simple advice. Don’t take penalties. Jason Chimera is a good postseason performer as is Joel Ward and Brooks Laich, who remains questionable. Marcus Johansson and Martin Erat are looked upon for support along with Mathieu Perreault. Ex-Isle Jack Hillen has performed well. It depends on Braden Holtby. Can he repeat last year or will Michal Neuvirth replace him?
Whenever these two teams meet, expect the unexpected. The Rangers are also playing their best hockey. It’s two teams on fire who know each other well. The third consecutive year they face off. Since the deadline, the Rangers have improved dramatically offensively. Their best players are their best including Derek Stepan, who was arguably the best player in April. He centers Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan. The top line that never stops skating. They’re the key along with rejuvenated Brad Richards, who has it going with Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. Nash gets a taste of playoff hockey for only the second time. Is he ready? Derick Brassard has been a great acquisition, providing offensive depth. If Ryane Clowe can’t go, he’ll have to create with Chris Kreider and Taylor Pyatt. After that, it gets thin. The defense boasts workhorses Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh, who’ll see Ovechkin in their sleep. No Marc Staal this time. McDonagh needs a big series and Mike Del Zotto can’t be inconsistent. John Moore has balanced out the back end with great skating and aggressiveness. If the games are tight, Henrik Lundqvist gets the edge in net. Another slug fest.
(4) Boston Bruins vs (5) Toronto Maple Leafs-Original Six. Check. Hated rivals. Check. Former goalie Tuukka Rask facing the team that gave him away for Andrew Raycroft. Check. Shawn Thornton and Colton Orr. Check. Frazer McLaren, Mark Fraser against Milan Lucic and Adam McQuaid. Check. Zdeno Chara versus Dion Phaneuf. Check. Phil Kessel facing his ex-team who won a Cup with replacement Tyler Seguin. Check. You get the picture. The storylines are endless. This will be as good a first round series as there is. If you love hockey, you must watch it. Hopefully, the Rangers and Caps won’t be scheduled at the same time.
Rask is a Vezina candidate while James Reimer has become the go to goalie in Toronto. Reimer doesn’t fare well historically against Boston. Toss that out. The Leafs play a furious physical style which can control the tempo. Kessel rebounded from a poor start to lead them in scoring while Nazem Kadri became a cult hero. Former GM Brian Burke acquired James van Riemsdyk for Luke Schenn. JVR teams with Kessel and under appreciated center Tyler Bozak to form a potent trio. All Joffrey Lupul does is score big goals. Phaneuf was stolen from Calgary by Burke. Clarke MacArthur came from Buffalo. Cody Franson from Nashville. Jay McClement from St. Louis. This is Burke’s team that Randy Carlyle is having success with. The Leafs are fun and in your face. But they need support from Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski. Reimer has never been in the playoffs while Rask has but only behind Tim Thomas. It’s a fascinating match up.
The Bruins are led by Chara and Patrice Bergeron. Both will see a lot of the Leafs’ top line. Bergeron can neutralize Bozak in the faceoff circle. And Chara’s as good as anyone unless he’s tired. Claude Julien doesn’t want to hear it. Boston’s blueline is deeper with Dennis Seidenberg and Andrew Ference and Johnny Boychuk tough comers. Toss in rookie Dougie Hamilton and there’s a lot to get excited about. If the B’s have a distinct advantage on the back end and in net, it’s not as clear up front. Even with the addition of Jaromir Jagr, they’re not scoring. Brad Marchand led them in scoring. He does everything well. A perfect playoff player in the mold of Claude Lemieux. The Bruins are balanced if Bergeron, David Krejci and a motivated Milan Lucic is a factor. Julien can rely on energizers Daniel Paille, Rich Peverley and Greg Campbell. It really could hinge on Nathan Horton, who was sorely missed last year. He’s hurt again. How serious no one knows. This is probably a seven-game series with sudden death determining the outcome.
The Series schedules are finally out. The Rangers don’t start until Thursday against the Capitals. The Islanders face off against the Penguins on Wednesday. Here’s how it all shakes out:
* – if necessary
| 2013 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS | |||
| SERIES A | TIME (ET) | #1  VS.  #8 |
NETWORKS |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | NY ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH | NBCSN, TSN |
| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 | 7 P.M. | NY ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH | NBCSN, TSN |
| SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | 12 P.M. | PITTSBURGH AT NY ISLANDERS | NBC, TSN |
| TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 | 7 P.M. | PITTSBURGH AT NY ISLANDERS | NBCSN, TSN |
| *THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 | 7 P.M. | NY ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH | TSN |
| *SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 | TBD | PITTSBURGH AT NY ISLANDERS | TSN |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | NY ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH | TSN |
| SERIES B | TIME (ET) | #2  VS.  #7 |
NETWORKS |
| THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013 | 7 P.M. | OTTAWA AT MONTREAL | CNBC, CBC, RDS |
| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 | 7 P.M. | OTTAWA AT MONTREAL | CNBC, CBC, RDS |
| SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | 7 P.M. | MONTREAL AT OTTAWA | NBCSN, CBC, RDS |
| TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 | 7 P.M. | MONTREAL AT OTTAWA | CNBC, CBC, RDS |
| *THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 | 7 P.M. | OTTAWA AT MONTREAL | CBC, RDS |
| *SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 | TBD | MONTREAL AT OTTAWA | CBC, RDS |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | OTTAWA AT MONTREAL | CBC, RDS |
| SERIES C | TIME (ET) | #3  VS.  #6 |
NETWORKS |
| THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | NY RANGERS AT WASHINGTON | NBCSN, TSN |
| SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 | 12:30 P.M. | NY RANGERS AT WASHINGTON | NBC, TSN |
| MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON AT NY RANGERS | NBCSN, TSN |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON AT NY RANGERS | NBCSN, TSN |
| *FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | NY RANGERS AT WASHINGTON | TSN |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | WASHINGTON AT NY RANGERS | TSN |
| *MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013 | TBD | NY RANGERS AT WASHINGTON | TSN |
| SERIES D | TIME (ET) | #4  VS.  #5 |
NETWORKS |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 | 7 P.M. | TORONTO AT BOSTON | CNBC, CBC, RDS |
| SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 | 7 P.M. | TORONTO AT BOSTON | CNBC, CBC, RDS |
| MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 | 7 P.M. | BOSTON AT TORONTO | NHLN-US, CBC, RDS |
| *WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013 | 7 P.M. | TORONTO AT BOSTON | NHLN-US, CBC, RDS |
| *FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 | 7 P.M. | BOSTON AT TORONTO | CBC, RDS |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | TORONTO AT BOSTON | CBC, RDS |
| MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013 | TBD | BOSTON AT TORONTO | CBC, RDS |
| 2013 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS | |||
| SERIES E | TIME (ET) | #1  VS.  #8 |
NETWORKS |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | 8 P.M. | MINNESOTA AT CHICAGO | NBCSN, CBC |
| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 | 9:30 P.M. | MINNESOTA AT CHICAGO | NBCSN, CBC |
| SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | 3 P.M. | CHICAGO AT MINNESOTA | NBC, CBC |
| TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 | 9:30 P.M. | CHICAGO AT MINNESOTA | NBCSN, CBC |
| *THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 | TBD | MINNESOTA AT CHICAGO | CBC |
| *SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 | TBD | CHICAGO AT MINNESOTA | CBC |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | MINNESOTA AT CHICAGO | CBC |
| SERIES F | TIME (ET) | #2  VS.  #7 |
NETWORKS |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | 10:30 P.M. | DETROIT AT ANAHEIM | NBCSN, TSN |
| THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013 | 10 P.M. | DETROIT AT ANAHEIM | NBCSN, TSN |
| SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 | 7:30 P.M. | ANAHEIM AT DETROIT | NBCSN, TSN |
| MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 | 8 P.M. | ANAHEIM AT DETROIT | CNBC, TSN |
| *WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013 | 10 P.M. | DETROIT AT ANAHEIM | TSN |
| *FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 | TBD | ANAHEIM AT DETROIT | TSN |
| *SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013 | TBD | DETROIT AT ANAHEIM | TSN |
| SERIES G | TIME (ET) | #3  VS.  #6 |
NETWORKS |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 | 10:30 P.M. | SAN JOSE AT VANCOUVER | NBCSN, TSN |
| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 | 10 P.M. | SAN JOSE AT VANCOUVER | CNBC, TSN |
| SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | 10 P.M. | VANCOUVER AT SAN JOSE | NBCSN, TSN |
| TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 | 10 P.M. | VANCOUVER AT SAN JOSE | CNBC, TSN |
| *THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 | 10 P.M. | SAN JOSE AT VANCOUVER | TSN |
| *SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 | TBD | VANCOUVER AT SAN JOSE | TSN |
| *MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013 | TBD | SAN JOSE AT VANCOUVER | TSN |
| SERIES H | TIME (ET) | #4  VS.  #5 |
NETWORKS |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | 8 P.M. | LOS ANGELES AT ST. LOUIS | CNBC, CBC |
| THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013 | 9:30 P.M. | LOS ANGELES AT ST. LOUIS | CNBC, CBC |
| SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 | 10 P.M. | ST. LOUIS AT LOS ANGELES | NBCSN, CBC |
| MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 | 10 P.M. | ST. LOUIS AT LOS ANGELES | NBCSN, CBC |
| *WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013 | TBD | LOS ANGELES AT ST. LOUIS | CBC |
| *FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 | TBD | ST. LOUIS AT LOS ANGELES | CBC |
| *MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013 | TBD | LOS ANGELES AT ST. LOUIS | CBC |
hasan4978
Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
Rask has played in the playoffs before, the one year he took the job from Thomas was the Philly meltdown. Almost forgot he came from Toronto lolI'll say Pittsburgh in 5, Ottawa in 6, Rangers in 6, Boston in 7 and in the West, Hawks in 5, LA in 7, San Jose in 6 and Detroit in 6. Going against my preseason pick of Boston-Blues for the most part (I have Boston out against the Rangers in Round 2) though it wouldn't shock me if that still wound up being the Finals. I'd bet more on St. Louis than the Bruins at this point but the Bruins aren't playing the Kings to start.
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