NHL Eastern Conference capsules and predictions

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
April 12, 2017

It’s that time of season where previews and predictions and opinions are abundant.

So why should it be any different here at LightningInsider.com?

Just because Tampa Bay did not make the postseason dance – enter sad emoji face here – doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun in trying to prognosticate exactly how the playoffs will play out. Plus, it gives you and everybody else the chance to tell me why I’m wrong and how pitiful my bracket might look compared to yours.

So here are my previews and predictions

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Eastern Conference previews

Atlantic Division

No. 1 Montreal vs WC 1 New York Rangers

What to expect from the Canadiens: This is not your Michel Therrien’s Montreal Canadiens, a team for years that seemed to rely on Carey Price and Carey Price only to win games. It’s not an awful approach considering the All-World talents of the Montreal goaltender. But there didn’t seem to be a lot of clear understanding of exactly how the rest of the team was supposed to play. Just play defense? Rely only on the power play to score? Since Claude Julien took over, however, the Canadiens have more structure in their game. They check well and limit opposition space to the level of frustration. And then teams have to deal with Price once they do find some space. Shea Weber has also given the team a different identity on the blue line while Max Pacioretty, perhaps the most underrated 30-goal scorer in the league, and Alex Galchenyuk provide the most consistent offensive threat.

What to expect from the Rangers: A team backboned and defined by Henrik Lundqvist has shifted their identity to that of a swift skating team that still gets good goaltending in front of a solid blue line. While New York doesn’t have that marquee scorer – Rick Nash is not the 40-goal scorer he once was – they have a balanced attack throughout their lineup with four 20-goal scorers and four 50-point scorers (Mats Zuccarello, J.T. Miller, Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Michael Grabner and Nash). While Dan Girardi has been banged up on defense, Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, Marc Staal and Nick Holden have been a solid top four unit. New York had a few bumps toward the end of the season, but finished with the fifth best record in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Montreal.

The X-factor: Lundqvist has had a few stretches in poor play this season and you wonder if he’s at the top of his game. He struggled in the playoffs last season against the Penguins and there is some question about how long of a leash Lundqvist has after the season Antti Raanta (16-8-2, 2.26 GAA and .922 save percentage) enjoyed in 26 starts.

Prediction:

Montreal in seven

No. 2 Ottawa vs No. 3 Boston

What to expect from the Senators:Head coach Guy Boucher – remember him? – turned the Senators around in his first season back in the NHL for the first time since he was let go by Tampa Bay in 2013. Though banged up toward the end of the season, the Senators were able to recover and grab the second spot in the Atlantic. Goaltender Craig Anderson has been an inspirational leader in net while Erik Karlsson remains the most dynamic blue liner in the league. Mike Hoffman, Kyle Turris and Mark Stone offer a trio of 20-goal scorers while Alex Burrows was a savvy late-season pickup from Vancouver. The Senators were nursing injuries on the back end heading in to the season, but Codi Ceci and Karson will be ready for the opening while Marc Methot is expected back at some point in the series.

What to expect from the Bruins:

Under Bruce Cassidy the Bruins have been a more dynamic offensive team led by everybody’s favorite pest Brad Marchand, who finished with 39 goals and 85 points. Sophomore David Pastrnak broke out with a 34-goal, 70-point season while Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci each reached 20 goals and 50 points. But there’s a significant drop in production after that, particularly with defenseman Torey Krug, who finished with 51 points, out to start the series. Defenseman Brandon Carlo is also expected out to start the series, leaving Boston thin on the back end. But with Tuukka Rask in goal, the Bruins are a threat.

The X-Factor: Karlsson is the straw that stirs the Senators drink, but he missed four of the final five games with a foot injury and if he’s not at the top of his game, it could have a big impact on Ottawa’s chances.

Prediction:

Ottawa in seven

Metro Division

No. 1 Washington vs WC2 Toronto

What to expect from the Capitals:Washington is a team on a mission with the look of a team that eased back on the throttle at times in the regular season ready to open things up in the postseason. When the Capitals acquired defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk it announced to the league they were going all in. Washington is more balanced than previous years with five 20-goal scorers and 11 10-goal scorers, led by Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. Nicklas Backstrom enjoyed an MVP-caliber season, finishing with 86 points. The blue line is as deep as ever and Braden Holtby is a Vezina Trophy candidate once again. After years of playoff failures, it’s boom or bust for the Capitals this season.

What to expect from the Maple Leafs: The upstart Leafs, which finished last in the league standings a year ago, are a substantial underdog in the series. Led by head coach Mike Babcock, the roster full of high-profile rookies such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev defied the odds just to make it this far and going up against the powerhouse Capitals the Leafs have nothing to lose. And that makes them a dangerous opponent. Add in goaltender Fredrik Andersen, who had solid year in net for the Leafs and is a veteran of 28 playoff, and Toronto has the elements capable of pulling off the upset against a team that has felt the weight of expectations for the better part of a decade.

The X-Factor: This year is the third time the Capitals have won the President’s Trophy in the since 2009-10 and second consecutive season. Yet Washington has never advanced past the second round since Alex Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004. The weight of the expectations has been felt throughout the franchise and the fan base. If weighs too heavily on the minds of the players again, it could show up on the ice.

Prediction:

Washington in five

No. 2 Pittsburgh vs No. 3 Columbus

What to expect from Pittsburgh: The defending Stanley Cup champions finished with the second best record in the league despite suffering significant injuries to the defensive core, including No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang who is out for the postseason. But Evgeni Malkin will return to a deep core of forwards that includes Sidney Crosby – the Rocket Richard Trophy winner – Phil Kessel, Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist. Matt Murray, who might be the Rookie of the Year in any other year, led the Penguins to a championship last season but former Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury is there if he falters.

What to expect from the Blue Jackets: A regular-season record 16-game winning streak propelled Columbus to its best season ever, finishing fourth overall in the league standings in the first full season under head coach John Tortorella. Sergei Bobrovsky will be a Vezina Trophy finalist after leading the league in goals against average (2.06) and save percentage (.931) and is the backbone of the team’s success. But the strength lies in the blue line, led by Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, Jack Johnson and rookie Zach Werkenski. Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad also brings with him championship experience, winning two Stanley Cups with Chicago.

The X-Factor: The Blue Jackets stumbled down the stretch, enduring a six-game winless streak that was snapped on the final day of the regular season in Toronto. Tortorella knows how to motivate and a first-round matchup against the Penguins will require his best work to get a relatively young roster to go head-to-head with the defending champion.

Prediction:

Columbus in six

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