Stanley Cup Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semis

If you're not a hockey fan, then the first round of the NHL Playoffs was just a snapshot of why you are obviously not a sports fan. Each series was filled with headlines, offered great match ups, historical importance, and a flare for the dramatics.  As always there were missing teeth, blood, glove saves, kick saves, and snipes.  Throw in a few penalty shots and a plethora of OT and it strengthens my argument for the greatest playoffs in sports; bar none. With that being said, here's a recap of first round Eastern Conference action and a look at the semifinal slates. 

As you can find here, I correctly picked the top-seeded Fighting Bruce Boudreau's and their revamped style of "defense first" hockey to dethrone King Henrik and the Rangers; however I predicted a 4-2 series win and the Caps did it in Game 5. I went for the upset pick in the Flyers-Sabres series and while I did correctly pick the length of the series, Danny Briere and the Flyers were able to secure the series at home in Game 7. I am proud to say that I picked the winner and the length of the series in the Bruins-Canadiens series. I did not foresee each team winning their first two road games of the series, then taking home ice advantage in the remaining three games. But, the series lived up to the hype in terms of physical hockey and a splash of goaltending brilliance.  Lastly, I correctly picked the Lightning to defeat the Crosby-less Penguins; however the series lasted the full seven games, not six as I had predicted.  Not only was Crosby a great set up man for his linemates, he was a great leader for that team, something that can't be underestimated as to why the Penguins could not advance.  Props to the high-scoring Lightning though for moving on. If you're keep tabs, I scored on 75% of my shots in the first round. Let's chat about Round Doux.

Semin (left) and Ovechkin (right) can bring it. Will they get
enough support against the Lightning?

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

These Southeast Division combatants face-off in what promises to be another round of masterful hockey.  The Lightning rallied back from a 3-1 deficit against the Penguins on the heels of netminder Dwayne Roloson and an offense that found ways to score goals at crucial times.  The Lightning finished four points out of first in the SE Division and were 2-3 against the Caps in the regular season.  But the Capitals enter this series as a confident bunch after flexing their muscles against the pesky Rangers.  The new defensive prowess of this team, along with the right amount of offensive weapons in Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom seem to have a legitimate chance of getting to the Conference Finals.  Keep an eye on Mike Green, the Caps defensemen that was hit in the head with a puck.  If he's out for a considerable amount of time, the Lightning may have what it takes offensively with the likes of Stamkos, St. Louis, Gagne, and Lecavalier to shock the Capitals. Both goalies are playing well, but Michal Neuvirth looked solid from Game 1 on against the Rangers.  I think this is another great series, but the Capitals are too deep and have a mentality that they are never out of a game if they get down. Capitals 4-2

Is Tim Thomas the 'X-Factor' in the series? Stay tuned.

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins

I know I've beaten the dead horse in the Eastern Conference with constant references to history, but of the two semifinal games, this is the one that has more chapters than Harry Potter.  The Bruins didn't disappoint in their series against the Canadiens in making it a memorable playoffs.  I expect nothing less between these two teams because if you don't mind a litter refresher, let me remind you that jsut last year, the Bruins held a 3-0 lead on the Flyers before the Flyers won 4 straight games and rolled through the playoffs to the Stanley Cup Finals.  If you think that each arena won't be rockin' then you're mistaken.

This series will be high energy and loaded with highlight reel hits. I give the edge on offense to the Flyers because they have too many weapons to be held down.  The defenses of each teams is nearly a wash. The Bruins and Flyers each have verteran blueliners, like Zdeno Chara and Chris Pronger, who can get the puck to the net and take each others' forwards out of the game physically.  If you don't know, the Flyers had more goalie changes in Round 1 than Charlie changes his outfit for Water Street if I may steal a line from fellow writer Easy E.  However, they managed to weather the storm and advance.  Clearly, Tim Thomas is the best of the goalies in this series so the overwhelming advantage goes to the Bruins.  This prediction is a crapshoot because there are too many variables in this series.  My heart is calling for the Flyers, but my head is telling me that the Bruins are the safe pick, albeit in a tense six games.  Bruins 4-2

-Pat

CSI: Montreal

I take the same stance as Charlie in regards to the Montreal police opening an investigation into the hit by Mr. Chara that concussed and fractured a vertebra in Mr. Max Pacioretty's neck.  As much as I love the gruesomeness and guts that the NHL brings to the sports world, more so than any other sport in the world besides rugby, I don't applaud career threatening injuries.  However, if I were a member of the MPD the first place I would look for evidence in this 'ongoing criminal investigation' would be the user friendly, video conglomerate, YouTube.

 Here's a key piece of the puzzle that I think can help solve this case. It looks to be surveillance footage of Mr. Pacioretty being a pest after scoring the game-winning OT goal exactly 3 months prior to the alleged incident that has resulted in the outcry from Canadians' fans, police force, and Mr. Pacioretty himself.

At approximately the 1:15 mark of this clip, we see the plaintiff, Mr. Pacioretty, committing a petty crime against the defendant, Mr. Chara.  At the time of March 8th's incident, when Mr. Pacioretty is clocked into the stanchion, the alleged attacker is listed at 6'9", 255 lbs. and the victim is believed to be a generous 6'2", 208 lbs. To me this all boils down to a much larger and more physical player in Mr. Chara, finishing the play on a smaller, more finesse player in Mr. Pacioretty. 

In my filed report, I am claiming that Mr. Chara may have had previous motive to act out on Mr. Pacioretty for his bush league stunt early in January, however, that is not an ample reason for the Montreal police to prosecute Mr. Chara at this time.  Mr. Chara was given due process of the law in his ejection from Tuesday night's game and the resulting injuries to Mr. Pacioretty, were not due to the gross negligence of Mr. Zdeno Chara, the Boston Bruins, or the NHL. An additional note that may be pertinent to this investigation is that this game is fast, physical, and there is always a risk for the potential of injury, but beyond the actions of one Mr. Marty McSorley or Mr. Todd Bertuzzi, this is not enough to charge Mr. Chara.

Case Closed.

-Patrick