2017 iNHL Playoff, Round 1 Preview: Pt 2, Eastern Conference
May 22, 2016 7:57:10 GMT -5
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Post by bjernagris (PHI) on May 22, 2016 7:57:10 GMT -5
Philadelphia Flyers – Detroit Red Wings
The Preview
After a very strong regular season finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference, Flyers are generally regarded as favorite to win this series. However, the Red Wings are not an easy match, and have found their form lately after having to play without several key players earlier in the season. Flyers, on the other hand, have shown mediocre form lately, only winning two of their last ten games in regulation. This is to a certain extent a series of offense vs. defense, and while the Red Wings offense have remained potent, the normally solid Flyers D has been nowhere to be found lately, giving up plenty of goals. We believe this series will be tighter than expected, and sense an upset here.
The Storyline
Will Red Wings get revenge for last season’s seven-game Conference Semifinal loss?
The Key Player, Flyers
Sean Couturier – he does not normally get the big headlines, but plays an important role on the Flyers team. He must succeed in shutting down Detroit’s first line with Getzlaf, Johansen and Nyquist if the Flyers are to pass the first round.
The Key Player, Red Wings
Niklas Kronwall – on a weakish blueline, look for Kronwall to get big minutes against Flyers’ top players. The Swede has struggled with injuries this season, and keeping him healthy will be imperative for the Red Wings
The Prediction
Red Wings in seven
New York Islanders – Washington Capitals
The Preview
The Capitals were one game away from the iCup last season, while the Islanders are in the Playoffs for just the second time in ten seasons. These two teams were extremely evenly matched in regular season, with three of five games being tied after regulation. Look for a high-scoring series – both sides are stacked with offensive firepower (both top-10 in goals/game) being led by iNHL superstars Tavares and Ovechkin respectively – and this could very well be the most entertaining series to follow in the first round. The Capitals defense looks better, especially with trade deadline reinforcements Ian Cole and Jake Gardiner, and we believe that this, together with more playoff routine in the capital will be the decisive factor here.
The Storyline
Will either of the star netminders, Lundqvist or Holtby, be able to stop the opposing team’s star attackers?
The Key Player, Islanders
John Tavares – leading the iNHL in points this season, Johnny T must keep production up if the Isles are to get past the first round
The Key Player, Capitals
Nicklas Bäckström – with Kuznetsov out for the series, Caps will rely on “Bäckis’” playmaking skills to create chances for Alexander Ovechkin
The Prediction
Capitals in six
Ottawa Senators – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Preview
Ottawa has gone from (barely) missing the playoffs last season to being the team generally regarded as the best in the East. Although they had a slow start of the season, they picked up the pace after Christmas and put together an impressive run. Their defense has gotten it together lately, and they finished the season with the lowest GAA in the league. Now they are up against the notoriously streaky Penguins, who have mixed and matched all season. These teams met in the final round of regular season, a game which Ottawa won 3-0. Unless Penguins catch fire again, we believe the dream team in Ottawa will come out victorious of this one.
The Storyline
Will Chris Phillips win a Cup for the first time in his 19-year iNHL career?
The Key Player, Senators
Erik Karlsson – having found great chemistry with superstar duo Benn/Seguin, Karlsson has taken his play to the absolute top level this season and will be looking to build on a magnificent regular season
The Key Player, Penguins
Sidney Crosby – Sid the Kid was red hot before missing the final five games of regular season due to injury, scoring five goals and adding three assists in his last four games. Crosby needs to pick up where he left off if the Penguins are to advance from the first round.
The Prediction
Senators in six
Tampa Bay Lightning – Boston Bruins
The Preview
Last year’s punching bag square off against last year’s President Trophy winner, but boy have the tables been turned! Bruins were the scoringest iNHL team in regular season, amassing more than four goals a game, while the Lightning have continued to struggle with injuries and were pushed off the throne in the resurrected Atlantic division. However, they finished very strong, with seven wins in their last eight, and are furthermore 5-0 against the Bruins so far this season. Bruins have not really clicked after their trade deadline moves, going 9-10-0 in March and April. With a healthy (except for LTIR Nik Kucherov) roster, we believe Tampa Bay will be the stronger side in this series.
The Storyline
Will Ben Bishop redeem himself after last year’s abysmal playoff performance?
The Key Player, Lightning
Victor Hedman – the athletic Swede is the #1 defenseman in Tampa, and will look to prove to his GM that he deserves the contract he is asking for
The Key Player, Bruins
Matt Duchene – reportedly unhappy with his smaller role in Boston, the Duchene affair could prove costly for the Bruins if he does not start deliver like the franchise player he is
The Prediction
Lightning in six
The Preview
After a very strong regular season finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference, Flyers are generally regarded as favorite to win this series. However, the Red Wings are not an easy match, and have found their form lately after having to play without several key players earlier in the season. Flyers, on the other hand, have shown mediocre form lately, only winning two of their last ten games in regulation. This is to a certain extent a series of offense vs. defense, and while the Red Wings offense have remained potent, the normally solid Flyers D has been nowhere to be found lately, giving up plenty of goals. We believe this series will be tighter than expected, and sense an upset here.
The Storyline
Will Red Wings get revenge for last season’s seven-game Conference Semifinal loss?
The Key Player, Flyers
Sean Couturier – he does not normally get the big headlines, but plays an important role on the Flyers team. He must succeed in shutting down Detroit’s first line with Getzlaf, Johansen and Nyquist if the Flyers are to pass the first round.
The Key Player, Red Wings
Niklas Kronwall – on a weakish blueline, look for Kronwall to get big minutes against Flyers’ top players. The Swede has struggled with injuries this season, and keeping him healthy will be imperative for the Red Wings
The Prediction
Red Wings in seven
New York Islanders – Washington Capitals
The Preview
The Capitals were one game away from the iCup last season, while the Islanders are in the Playoffs for just the second time in ten seasons. These two teams were extremely evenly matched in regular season, with three of five games being tied after regulation. Look for a high-scoring series – both sides are stacked with offensive firepower (both top-10 in goals/game) being led by iNHL superstars Tavares and Ovechkin respectively – and this could very well be the most entertaining series to follow in the first round. The Capitals defense looks better, especially with trade deadline reinforcements Ian Cole and Jake Gardiner, and we believe that this, together with more playoff routine in the capital will be the decisive factor here.
The Storyline
Will either of the star netminders, Lundqvist or Holtby, be able to stop the opposing team’s star attackers?
The Key Player, Islanders
John Tavares – leading the iNHL in points this season, Johnny T must keep production up if the Isles are to get past the first round
The Key Player, Capitals
Nicklas Bäckström – with Kuznetsov out for the series, Caps will rely on “Bäckis’” playmaking skills to create chances for Alexander Ovechkin
The Prediction
Capitals in six
Ottawa Senators – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Preview
Ottawa has gone from (barely) missing the playoffs last season to being the team generally regarded as the best in the East. Although they had a slow start of the season, they picked up the pace after Christmas and put together an impressive run. Their defense has gotten it together lately, and they finished the season with the lowest GAA in the league. Now they are up against the notoriously streaky Penguins, who have mixed and matched all season. These teams met in the final round of regular season, a game which Ottawa won 3-0. Unless Penguins catch fire again, we believe the dream team in Ottawa will come out victorious of this one.
The Storyline
Will Chris Phillips win a Cup for the first time in his 19-year iNHL career?
The Key Player, Senators
Erik Karlsson – having found great chemistry with superstar duo Benn/Seguin, Karlsson has taken his play to the absolute top level this season and will be looking to build on a magnificent regular season
The Key Player, Penguins
Sidney Crosby – Sid the Kid was red hot before missing the final five games of regular season due to injury, scoring five goals and adding three assists in his last four games. Crosby needs to pick up where he left off if the Penguins are to advance from the first round.
The Prediction
Senators in six
Tampa Bay Lightning – Boston Bruins
The Preview
Last year’s punching bag square off against last year’s President Trophy winner, but boy have the tables been turned! Bruins were the scoringest iNHL team in regular season, amassing more than four goals a game, while the Lightning have continued to struggle with injuries and were pushed off the throne in the resurrected Atlantic division. However, they finished very strong, with seven wins in their last eight, and are furthermore 5-0 against the Bruins so far this season. Bruins have not really clicked after their trade deadline moves, going 9-10-0 in March and April. With a healthy (except for LTIR Nik Kucherov) roster, we believe Tampa Bay will be the stronger side in this series.
The Storyline
Will Ben Bishop redeem himself after last year’s abysmal playoff performance?
The Key Player, Lightning
Victor Hedman – the athletic Swede is the #1 defenseman in Tampa, and will look to prove to his GM that he deserves the contract he is asking for
The Key Player, Bruins
Matt Duchene – reportedly unhappy with his smaller role in Boston, the Duchene affair could prove costly for the Bruins if he does not start deliver like the franchise player he is
The Prediction
Lightning in six