2018 iNHL Playoff, Round 1 Preview: Pt 2, Eastern Conference
Aug 28, 2016 11:12:45 GMT -5
Rob and Beans (BOS) like this
Post by bjernagris (PHI) on Aug 28, 2016 11:12:45 GMT -5
Ottawa Senators – Detroit Red Wings
The Preview
The reigning Champions, President’s Trophy winners and most star packed team of the league takes on the last team from the East to make the playoffs. Ottawa are generally considered big favourites to win this series, and Detroit will be looking for a miracle to be able to upset their opposition in this matchup. However, there are some clouds on the Ontario skies; the team has not been itself since trade deadline, going 10-7-4 since their deadline trading spree. Furthermore, key players Erik Karlsson and newly acquired starting goalie Frederik Andersen are out for the series. However, the Senators do not only possess dazzling talent, they also have tremendous depth. The Red Wings have also suffered from injuries; top duo Ryan Johansen and Gustav Nyquist are out for the entire series. We believe that Ottawa will have no difficulty in defeating the lesser Red Wings side.
The Storyline
Will Petr Mrazék be good enough to give his teammates the opportunity to win games in this series?
The Key Player, Senators
Tyler Seguin – the engine of the deadly Senators offense, Seguin won the team’s regular season scoring race despite missing nine games due to injury
The Key Player, Red Wings
Petr Mrazék – in a city where Czech goalies are remembered fondly, the superstar netminder will need to play like a man possessed in order to give his team the chance to win
Prediction
Senators in five
Buffalo Sabres – Boston Bruins
The Preview
Arguably the hottest of all first round matchups in a newly formed rivalry stemming from a heated exchange of words between the teams’ GMs, this should not only be a fun series to watch, it will probably also be very tight. Buffalo is one of the biggest positive surprises this season, having risen from mediocrity and making the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Their young cadre of potent attackers, led by superstar-in-the-making Jack Eichel, will give the heavy (average 98 kg/216 lbs) Bruins defense headaches. The Bruins will be looking to go deep in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Although their offense has failed to repeat the crazy season they had last year, they still possess top class skill in the form of Duchene, van Riemsdyk and Saad. However, their defense has proven to be less than solid on occasions, letting up more goals than any other Eastern playoff team. Regular season matchups ended 3-2 Bruins, but we expect the Sabres to get the upper hand in a series that could go either way.
The Storyline
Will the bad blood between the teams’ GMs translate to a classic playoff slugfest on the ice?
The Key Player, Sabres
Duncan Keith – the defensive anchor on an otherwise offensive-minded blueline, Keith provides veteran leadership and cup winning experience
The Key Player, Bruins
Matt Duchene – the superstar center seems to have finally found his role in Boston, and will be looking to go deep in the playoffs for the first time in his career
Prediction
Sabres in seven
New York Islanders – Washington Capitals
The Preview
A replay of last year’s first round matchup, which Islanders won 4-1. Since then, the Isles have added even more star power in the form of Jeff Skinner, while the Capitals team has been kept largely intact. The Islanders have dominated the Metro this season, leading it from start to finish, while Capitals were outside the playoffs for the most part of the season before putting together a mighty push, going 11-1-0 in their final twelve. With an aging core, time is running for the Caps whose window to win will probably only be open for another couple of years. The same cannot be said for the Islanders, powered by young superstars Tavares, Strome and Lee. We believe that the desperation of the Capitals, coupled with their red hot form of late, will give them the upper hand in this series.
The Storyline
Will King Henrik once again be able to stop the Bäckström/Ovechkin duo, like he has done several times before?
The Key Player, Islanders
John Tavares - leading his team in points this season and centering perhaps the best line in the league, Johnny T will be expected to continue leading his team into the playoffs
The Key Player, Capitals
Alex Ovechkin – the Russian powerhouse is looking to finally win the Cup, and get revenge for last season’s early exit
The Prediction
Capitals in seven
Philadelphia Flyers – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Preview
The first Battle of Pennsylvania since the memorable 2012 series, this is another hot one. However, the two sides are considerably more polished than six years ago, so do not expect a repeat physicality-wise. The Flyers have been unable to repeat last season’s dominance in the East and cannot be considered more than an outsider for the Cup. However, after a mediocre start to the season, they have picked up speed since December. The Penguins, led by a revived Sidney Crosby, have displayed solid play throughout the season. However, the loss of Marc-André Fleury in the final game of regular season is a huge blow, and if regular season matchups (4-1 Flyers) are any guidance, the Philly team should win this one.
The Storyline
Will either of Talbot/Forsberg step up to fill the skates of the injured Fleury?
The Key Player, Flyers
David Savard – the underrated offensive defenseman is having a career year, and will be looking to bring his monstrous regular season production into the playoffs
The Key Player, Penguins
Sidney Crosby – leading the league in goals, assists and points this season, “The Next One” is looking for the second Cup ring of his career
The Prediction
Flyers in six
The Preview
The reigning Champions, President’s Trophy winners and most star packed team of the league takes on the last team from the East to make the playoffs. Ottawa are generally considered big favourites to win this series, and Detroit will be looking for a miracle to be able to upset their opposition in this matchup. However, there are some clouds on the Ontario skies; the team has not been itself since trade deadline, going 10-7-4 since their deadline trading spree. Furthermore, key players Erik Karlsson and newly acquired starting goalie Frederik Andersen are out for the series. However, the Senators do not only possess dazzling talent, they also have tremendous depth. The Red Wings have also suffered from injuries; top duo Ryan Johansen and Gustav Nyquist are out for the entire series. We believe that Ottawa will have no difficulty in defeating the lesser Red Wings side.
The Storyline
Will Petr Mrazék be good enough to give his teammates the opportunity to win games in this series?
The Key Player, Senators
Tyler Seguin – the engine of the deadly Senators offense, Seguin won the team’s regular season scoring race despite missing nine games due to injury
The Key Player, Red Wings
Petr Mrazék – in a city where Czech goalies are remembered fondly, the superstar netminder will need to play like a man possessed in order to give his team the chance to win
Prediction
Senators in five
Buffalo Sabres – Boston Bruins
The Preview
Arguably the hottest of all first round matchups in a newly formed rivalry stemming from a heated exchange of words between the teams’ GMs, this should not only be a fun series to watch, it will probably also be very tight. Buffalo is one of the biggest positive surprises this season, having risen from mediocrity and making the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Their young cadre of potent attackers, led by superstar-in-the-making Jack Eichel, will give the heavy (average 98 kg/216 lbs) Bruins defense headaches. The Bruins will be looking to go deep in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Although their offense has failed to repeat the crazy season they had last year, they still possess top class skill in the form of Duchene, van Riemsdyk and Saad. However, their defense has proven to be less than solid on occasions, letting up more goals than any other Eastern playoff team. Regular season matchups ended 3-2 Bruins, but we expect the Sabres to get the upper hand in a series that could go either way.
The Storyline
Will the bad blood between the teams’ GMs translate to a classic playoff slugfest on the ice?
The Key Player, Sabres
Duncan Keith – the defensive anchor on an otherwise offensive-minded blueline, Keith provides veteran leadership and cup winning experience
The Key Player, Bruins
Matt Duchene – the superstar center seems to have finally found his role in Boston, and will be looking to go deep in the playoffs for the first time in his career
Prediction
Sabres in seven
New York Islanders – Washington Capitals
The Preview
A replay of last year’s first round matchup, which Islanders won 4-1. Since then, the Isles have added even more star power in the form of Jeff Skinner, while the Capitals team has been kept largely intact. The Islanders have dominated the Metro this season, leading it from start to finish, while Capitals were outside the playoffs for the most part of the season before putting together a mighty push, going 11-1-0 in their final twelve. With an aging core, time is running for the Caps whose window to win will probably only be open for another couple of years. The same cannot be said for the Islanders, powered by young superstars Tavares, Strome and Lee. We believe that the desperation of the Capitals, coupled with their red hot form of late, will give them the upper hand in this series.
The Storyline
Will King Henrik once again be able to stop the Bäckström/Ovechkin duo, like he has done several times before?
The Key Player, Islanders
John Tavares - leading his team in points this season and centering perhaps the best line in the league, Johnny T will be expected to continue leading his team into the playoffs
The Key Player, Capitals
Alex Ovechkin – the Russian powerhouse is looking to finally win the Cup, and get revenge for last season’s early exit
The Prediction
Capitals in seven
Philadelphia Flyers – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Preview
The first Battle of Pennsylvania since the memorable 2012 series, this is another hot one. However, the two sides are considerably more polished than six years ago, so do not expect a repeat physicality-wise. The Flyers have been unable to repeat last season’s dominance in the East and cannot be considered more than an outsider for the Cup. However, after a mediocre start to the season, they have picked up speed since December. The Penguins, led by a revived Sidney Crosby, have displayed solid play throughout the season. However, the loss of Marc-André Fleury in the final game of regular season is a huge blow, and if regular season matchups (4-1 Flyers) are any guidance, the Philly team should win this one.
The Storyline
Will either of Talbot/Forsberg step up to fill the skates of the injured Fleury?
The Key Player, Flyers
David Savard – the underrated offensive defenseman is having a career year, and will be looking to bring his monstrous regular season production into the playoffs
The Key Player, Penguins
Sidney Crosby – leading the league in goals, assists and points this season, “The Next One” is looking for the second Cup ring of his career
The Prediction
Flyers in six