NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Preview: Round 1

Well, the verdict is in. I received over 600 e-mails since my point that no one cares about Hockey (suspiciously most were Canadians), so I have hired a Hockey correspondent by the name of Matt Rousseau. Yes, he's French Canadian so you know he knows what he's talking about. Matt is a life long Bruins fan who is pretty much a jumper for any Boston sports team. That works in my book. On behalf of everyone here at Daisuke Mania (well, by everyone I mean myself), I'd like to welcome Matt aboard to our staff. With that being said. Today he has his first write up which is a preview of the Eastern Conference Playoffs first round match ups. Tomorrow he will be doing the West Coast. Matt will be providing us with round reviews and previews for every round up until the end of the playoffs. I would assist him, but unless the Devils are in the cup finals, I won't be able to see a single game. Without further ado, here is Matt's Eastern Conference Playoffs 1st round preview.

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1: Eastern Conference

April 11th marked the beginning of the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, and this year promises to be a postseason marked with some exciting action. As a Boston Bruins fan I was disappointed that we once again failed to make the playoffs (only improving by two points overall) but I have hope for next year. But I digress, this years playoffs will be one marked with competition between both grizzled veterans and newcomers. Since the playoffs have already started I’ll go ahead and post the Eastern Conference matchups and players to watch for as the action unfolds.



(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) New York Islanders
Buffalo leads series 1-0
The Islanders barely made it into the playoffs this year, and it doesn’t look like the lowly Islanders will survive the first round against the President’s Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres. With franchise player Rick DiPietro out of action with post-concussion syndrome the Islanders are relying on third string goaltender Wade Dubielewicz to fill the void. The first game of the series ended in a 4-1 loss for the Islanders, what a surprise. The series looks to be more of the same, as Buffalo dominated the regular season series between the two teams, winning 3 of 4 games and 7 of 8 over the past two years.

Players to Watch:
Daniel Briere: On a highly skilled Buffalo offense, co-captain Daniel Briere is a vital cog to the Sabres scoring machine. He is one of the Sabres four 30+ goal scorers this season, six of which were game winners. He is also the greatest playmaker for Buffalo, tallying 63 assists, 21 ahead of the next best forward.

Thomas Vanek: As Briere is to making plays, Vanek is to scoring goals. The super sophomore led the Sabres with 43 goals during the regular season. He is a deadly weapon on the Buffalo power play, scoring 15 of his goals there. On home ice he has scored 30 of his goals, luckily for the Islanders the next three games will be at the Islanders twice. Additionally Vanek lead the league with a stellar +/- rating of +45.

Ryan Smyth: Acquired from the Edmonton Oilers at the trading deadline, Smyth is a key player in the Islanders playoff scheme. Last year Smyth led the Oilers, who were the 8th seed in the West, all the way to the Stanley Cup finals where they suffered a heartbreaking loss in game 7 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Smyth has 15 points in his 18 games as an Islander thus far.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Tampa Bay Lightning
New Jersey leads series 1-0
This series looks like it might be the closest and most entertaining to watch. On one hand you have the super-defensive Devils, a low scoring team whose strategy revolves around a strong defense to protect arguably the best goaltender in hockey today, Martin Brodeur. On the other hand you have the offensive oriented Lighting, who boast two players in the top five scorers list, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Whichever team can dictate the pace of this series is likely to come out on top.

Players to Watch:
Vincent Lecavalier: Vinny led the league with 52 goals this year, and racked up an impressive 108 points. Lecavalier is a threat to the opposition anytime he is on the ice. A large player, he is not afraid to drop the gloves or throw his body around. It will take a solid effort by New Jersey to contain him; they failed in the first game, allowing Lecavalier to score not once but twice.

Martin Brodeur: Simply put, Brodeur is the foundation of the Devils team. During the regular season he won a record 48 games, and ranks in the top five for both GAA (2.18) and save percentage (.922). Also noteworthy is his league leading 12 shutouts, 4 ahead of the next contender.

Zach Parise: Another young player in these playoffs, Parise improved on his game and went from 32 points his rookie season, to a solid 62 this season. Parise leads the team with 31 goals, and like Lecavalier has already scored twice in this series.

(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) New York Rangers
New York leads series 1-0
The last two winners in the Southeast Division went on to win the Stanley Cup; can Atlanta make it three in a row? The task is a daunting one, Atlanta is making its first playoff appearance in the franchises history, and the hungry Thrashers are looking to make their first time a special one. Both clubs boast excellent players on offense and in net, so this matchup looks like it could get chippy.

Players to Watch:
Marian Hossa: Hossa finished his regular season with career high 100 points, not an easy task to accomplish. He’s scored 13 times in the playoffs throughout his career and he’s looking to expand on that number in this series against the Rags. A speedy player, look for the Rangers to pit him against his brother Marcel.

Ilya Kovalchuk: One of the greatest Russian players, and greatest snipers in the league today. Kovalchuk is a weapon the Thrashers will seek to utilize against the Rangers. He has amassed 18 of his 42 goals on the powerplay this season. Like Hossa he is a speedy player, something the Rangers defense could have trouble containing. Unfortunately he suffers criticism from his play on defense.

Jaromir Jagr: Jagr finished the season with 30 goals and 96 points, and that was playing with an injured shoulder. Jaromir Jagr is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL, he has won the Stanley Cup twice before and brings playoff experience and leadership to the Rangers line.

(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsbugh Penguins
Ottawa leads series 1-0
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had an amazing season. Jumping from a measly 58 points last season to an amazing 105 this season, this young squad is hoping to be a contender against a veteran lineup in the Ottawa Senators. This series marks the first time the Penguins have appeared in the playoffs since 2001. If the Penguins can keep it together this series should be one of the most evenly matched in the East.

Players to Watch:
Sidney Crosby: Sid the Kid, already being heralded as one of the greatest players to lace ‘em up, Crosby led the NHL with 120 points in his second season. His skill as a playmaker has prompted the popular saying “The Crosby Effect” as anytime he’s on the ice, every Penguin is a threat to score.

Evgeni Malkin: This Russian rookie looks to have a promising career ahead of him. Drafted in the first round (second overall) by the Penguins in 2004, Malkin has had an amazing start. He led all rookies during the regular season with 33 goals and 85 points. He is a strong skater and is a physical presence. Unlike many players in the Penguins lineup, he is able to score without Crosby being on the ice.

Dany Heatley: One of the few pure scorers in the NHL, Heatley is a tremendously skilled player and a veteran member of the Ottawa Senators. Ironically he was traded from the Thrashers to Ottawa in 2005, where he has posted back to back 50 goal and 100+ point seasons. The Penguins will be putting lots of pressure on Heatley but he has the size and the skill to remain a threat to the opposition.

Well that’s it for tonight. I’ll write up more on the West tomorrow, maybe. Oh and if you were wondering who I’m gunning for this playoff season; I’m jumping on the Buffalo bandwagon. So my picks for the first round winners in the East are: Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers, Ottawa Senators. And remember, when watching playoff games remember to enjoy yourself but not get carried away, its just a game after all.
-Matt