After a lock-out shortened regular season we finally get down to business...the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us. This year's shortened season produced some new entrants in the NHL's tournament. After a 9 year hiatus the Toronto Maple Leafs finally
broke through and got into the 5 seed in the East and will face the Boston Bruins. Other teams that are in this year that weren't in last year: New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks.
In the East:
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8. New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have been a huge surprise this year and appear to be a couple of years ahead of schedule on their most recent re-build. John Tavares has been leading the way for the Isles and they've been getting solid goaltending from the once reluctant Islander, Evgeni Nabakov. This will be a good experience for Tavares and some of the other young Isles to build on moving forward, but the Penguins take this one easily, Sidney Crosby or no Sidney Crosby. Penguins in 5
2. Montreal Canadiens vs 7. Ottawa Senators
This will be the first all-Canadian playoff match-up in nearly 10 years. The Montreal Canadiens had a great season, winning the Northeast Division after missing the playoffs last season. They played like an elite team most of the season led by stellar goaltending from Carey Price, but he struggled greatly towards the end of the season, leaving a big question mark above the Canadiens collective head going into the playoffs. The Senatos on the other hand have shown a lot of resilience even qualifying for the playoffs at all particularly in a tough division after suffering major injuries to many of their core players including Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. Karlsson made a surprise return with a few games left in the season and looks ready for the playoffs logging 25-30 minutes a night. This will be an entertaining series and a long series. Senators in 7
3. Washington Capitals vs. 6. New York Rangers
The New York Rangers had high expectations coming into this season after finishing 1st overall in the Eastern Conference a year ago. Backed by Henrik Lundqvist and newly acquired Rick Nash many predicted big things for the Rangers. The regular season was quite a disappoint for the most part and they were in real danger of missing the playoffs but since acquiring Ryan Clowe and jettisoning Marion Gaborik at the trade deadline they got hot and got hot at the right time. The Capitals had a slow start but Holtby and Ovechkin have gotten better and better as the season progressed and so did the team. Expect a lot of intensity early on. Rangers in 6
4. Boston Bruins vs. 5. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally made the playoffs after a long hiatus and will meet the Boston Bruins. There are a lot of story lines in this one with the trades made between the two teams in the past. Both teams have a fair amount of skill and toughness, but the Bruins have more depth, experience, and a decided advantage in goal. Bruins in 6
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