Handicapping the NHL Playoffs: Round 2

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, where heroes are made and dreams are certainly shattered. Just ask Miroslav Satan, who at the beginning of this season didn't even have an NHL club to call home. Now, he's scoring double OT goals and game winners to clinch a series. On the other hand, take a look at the debacle that is the Washington Capitals. Owners of the Presidents Trophy for the best regular season record and by far the most lethal offense this league has seen in years. They were historically dispatched last night by the Canadiens in Game 7. Needless to say, the conversation as to who the better player is has been answered. I'll take Crosby over Ovechkin all day. Ovie is creeping into choke artist territory and that is something the NHL must be sick over as their biggest superstar couldn't even lead the Caps past the Habs.

As for the Bruins, dear Lord what an effort. For all the crap this team has been through and played like this year, they picked the perfect time to step it up. They have once again reinvigorated the fan base with one hell of a performance against the Sabres in a 4-2 series win. They displayed grit, effort, and an offensive punch that clearly was not there all season. The difference in this series was two things: The B's out hit the Sabres and played a much more physical brand of hockey and they were able to convert on the power play.

So many things happened in this series that was completely uncharacteristic of this team during the regular season. Aside from the power play efficiency, they got contributions from all four lines and defensemen that were ghost before (See: Vladimir Sobotka, Michael Ryder, Dennis Wideman). These efforts clearly overwhelmed an either unsuspecting or less hungry Buffalo squad.

Not enough can be said about the play of the Finnish Freak, Tuukka Rask. The 23-year-old rookie netminder outplayed what will probably be this years Vezina winner in Ryan Miller. His ridiculous Superman save in the third period of Game 4 not only held the game tied, but probably set the table for Miro the Hero's winner. The fans love this guy and the team certainly does as well. Having a goalie like this calms your defense and forwards in knowing that they have someone who can bail them out of trouble. Not to get ahead of myself, but the last time you saw a hot rookie goalie like this in the playoffs was Cam Ward for the Hurricanes back in 2005-06. Need I remind you that Ward backstopped Carolina to their first Cup in franchise history. Sound the homer alarms, lets get nuts!

Falling back to reality, the Habs win last night couldn't have worked out any better for the Bruins. With the Habs writing history, the B's are now the beneficiaries of home ice advantage against the Flyers. Now this is going to be one hell of a match up that will test each teams ability to play physical. Aside from the hated Canadiens, the Broad Street Bullies represent the next biggest rivalry in Bruins lore. Going back to the days of Bobby Clarke when the Flyers were world renowned for their ability to goon it up. Christ sakes, Ogie Ogelthorpe himself probably should have been playing 1st line center.

Not only is home ice advantage a welcomed gift, but the fact that Philadelphia's top scorers in Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, and Ian Laperriere, will all be out for the entire series due to injuries incurred during their 1st round win over New Jersey. Not that I wish pain on anyone, well, maybe Canadiens fans, but this is phenomenal news for the Bruins. Not only do they get back Marc Savard but their playing against a damaged lineup. But, DO NOT count out the ability of the Flyers to do damage. After all, they just beat the Devils in five games. Yes, those same Devils who traded the farm for Ilya Kovalchuk and have one of the best goalies of all time between the pipes.

PREDICTION: This series is going to be a blue collar lunch pale type affair. The Bruins will have to do exactly what they did to the Sabres and punch the Flyers right in the mouth every shift. I certainly do see the Bruins winning this series and moving on to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1992. Philly's goaltending with Brian Boucher isn't nearly as sexy as Buffalo's, but they got the job done so far. The Bruins will be reinvigorated with Savard in the lineup and this one will go the distance, Bruins in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (8) Montreal
I in no way respect Montreal for anything they do. As a matter of fact, I hate them to the core. However, they put on a gritty performance in winning three in-a-row to defeat the heavily favored Washington Capitals in round one. Pittsburgh has a different gear come playoff time; however, their goaltending in Marc Andre-Fleury has been suspect at best. This one will be a lot tighter than the seeding shows; however, the Pens just have too much experience to pull an "Ovie" and go home early. Penguins in 6

(1) San Jose vs. (6) Detroit
OK, so San Jose showed some mettle and actually won a series for once, to which I predicted. However, that collective "Oh my God" you heard from California is the fact that the Sharks just drew their worst nightmare in the Red Wings. Detroit got a scare being pushed to 7 games by the Coyotes last round, but the veterans pulled through. Experience means everything this time of year and Detroit is no spring chicken when it comes to championships. The line of Heatley, Marleau, and Thornton will collectively pee their hypothetical beds this time and show their true playoff capabilities, losing. Red Wings in 6

(2) Chicago vs. (4) Vancouver
What a great re-match we have here folks. They met in last years second round as well with the Blackhawks emerging victorious. Chicago still has questions between the pipes and Roberto Luongo was nothing spectacular either for the Canucks. Vancouver still owns the defensive edge in this one and I truly feel that Vancouver is poised for a run at Lord Stanley this year. This one will also go the distance. Canucks in 7

There you have it folks, in what I thought was going to be a relatively uneventful first round turned into being some of the best playoff hockey in years. It just goes to show how it is wide open for anyone's taking this year, including the hometown Bruins. Brace yourselves, because it only gets better from here!