Not long ago, I considered a Red Wings vs. Penguins Stanley Cup rematch to pretty much be locked and set, the way those teams played in February and early March. But since then, so much has changed. The Red Wings struggled to win anywhere after their 23-game-long winning streak at home was snapped by Vancouver, and the Penguins, well, they dropped some easy ones along the way to taking the 4-seed in the East.
So who now? Is there any team really running away with anything? It's hard to say. Vancouver seems to be surging at the right time, taking the 1-seed in the West and the President's Trophy in the eleventh hour from St. Louis and New York. Nashville, likewise, looks like a team that's got the right mentality going into the playoffs and doesn't seem afraid of anyone or anything. In the East, well, assuming they don't kill each other, it's hard not to like the winner of the Penguins/Flyers series. But can anyone count out Washington, who resurrected their playoff hopes in the last couple weeks to top Buffalo and ultimately take the 7-seed?
It's time, folks. The best time of year on the sports calendar - the NHL playoffs.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals -
NY Rangers (1-seed) vs. Ottawa (8-seed)
Ottawa limped into the playoffs, losing their last 3 games and being helped along by Buffalo's equally inept performance down the stretch. A team that looked like a surer bet earlier now looks shaky at best and are facing a matchup against the best team in the East. While the Rangers haven't been as good as the Penguins at times, they've been the most consistent team in the East and their point total reflects that. Lundquist's out-of-his-mind play has buoyed this team all season long, but they're good enough everywhere else to capitalize on that (which is why they're a 1-seed and not an 8-seed like Los Angeles). There's no reason to think the Rangers start slowing down now.
New York in 5.
Boston (2-seed) vs. Washington (7-seed)
Tough call. Washington is being sneaky good hear at the end, knowing that years of playoff berths and no success are starting to cause disharmony. Boston's been a poster-child for disharmony at times this season, thanks to Tim Thomas, but otherwise have played well. Their 2-seed berth isn't as indicative of their performance this season, though, as their 5th-highest point total in the East. However, while that might sway my opinion of them against better teams, I think the defending Cup champions' playoff savvy and consistency will give them the edge over a streaky Washington team.
Boston in 5.
Florida (3-seed) vs. New Jersey (6-seed)
Florida didn't exactly go screaming down the stretch, nearly coughing up the division lead to to Washington in the last week. New Jersey, meanwhile, suddenly came on, even threatening Pittsburgh and Philly's epic matchup by infringing on the 4- or 5-seed. But the Devils finished a point behind Philly and end up with an easier matchup against the lagging Panthers, who finished eight points behind New Jersey, but who won their division. Like St. Louis, Florida's success was inspirational, but surprising. Like St. Louis, they don't have the playoff experience to conquer a team better-suited for postseason play.
New Jersey in 4.
Pittsburgh (4-seed) vs. Philadelphia (5-seed)
The best series of the round and, for good reason, the most hyped. That brawl just set it up and now here we go. These are good teams that hate each other and that is the best kind of rivalry the NHL can have. Better yet, Philadelphia has owned Pittsburgh all year in the Penguins' own building. Have the Pens been coasting? Against almost anyone else, I'd take the Pens, but the only time they beat Philly in Pittsburgh was a meaningless game at the end of the season. When you can't get it done at home, I don't expect you to get it done.
Philadelphia in 7.
The Western Conference Quarterfinals -
Vancouver (1-seed) vs. Los Angeles (8-seed)
Los Angeles snuck into the playoffs despite a great season out of Jonathon Quick. Beyond that, though, you have to wonder how good this team is. When outstanding goaltending only gets you the 8-seed, you have concerns, and those concerns are likely to get exploited by a 1-seed team... especially when that 1-seed is peaking. Vancouver seems the most primed for the playoffs of all the Western teams to me. I'll even go as far as to say it might their year (at least to represent the West in the Finals). They're just deeper than Los Angeles. Barring a (semi-typical) postseason meltdown by Luongo, I expect Vancouver to roll.
Vancouver in 5.
St. Louis (2-seed) vs. San Jose (7-seed)
St. Louis is the biggest question mark of the playoffs to me. Can their stalwart defense and unreal netminding continue as the intensity ratchets up in postseason play? San Jose's been on the verge of not being in the playoffs for some time and are going to be ready to go, having had to beat Los Angeles on the last day of the season to finish in the 7-seed. The Sharks are better than they look, even when they're not breaking up plays from the bench. I think their postseason mettle shows over the relatively inexperienced Blues. St. Louis struck me all season as that occasional "early exit after winning the President's Trophy" team that comes around every few years.
San Jose in 7.
Phoenix (3-seed) vs. Chicago (6-seed)
I was certain Detroit would lose to Chicago and take the 6-seed, setting up a third-straight first-round series with Phoenix. Instead, Phoenix draws Chicago, who beat the Wings in shootout to end their season. Chicago's had a remarkably up-and-down season but appear to be peaking at the right time. With Toews out, their ceiling is limited, but they should be able to dispatch the Pacific division champs, who finished with a lower point total than they did.
Chicago in 6.
Nashville (4-seed) vs. Detroit (5-seed)
I want to believe. I want to think that the veteran savvy of the Red Wings and the return of some injured starters will propel them through this series and beyond. But... I can't. Nashville is playing like a team with a chip on its shoulder, like a team that has the confidence to prove it belongs in the upper echelon of teams. This is a team that knows they have to get through Detroit to get anywhere and they've built to do just that. This year, they accomplish the feat.
Nashville in 5.
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