I assume most of us in these parts were pretty pleased to see the Boston Bruins ousted by the Washington Capitals.
And what a surprise, at least to a degree.
In the offseason, many, including myself, felt that George McPhee made tremendous moves to make the Captials a playoff contender.
However, at the end of a tumultuous campaign that saw them fire their coach, lose their top two netminders to injury and then barely squeak into the playoffs, expectations were quite low entering this post-season.
Now, the Capitals might just be the Cinderella team of the playoffs.
Of the remaining teams, who do you think is most likely to be this year's belle of the ball?
Habs News
HabsAddict.com - Detroit's Jim Nill Says 'No' to Montreal Canadiens GM Position
HabsAddict.com - Habs Roundup: Pacioretty, Nill and Kristo
La Presse - Les défis du futur DG du CH
La Presse - Serge Savard: «Patrick Roy est un candidat intéressant»
RDS - C'est à n'y rien comprendre
Louis' Note: Another Bertrand Raymond rant about the Habs not picking a Francophone. You have been warned.
TSN - Savard talks to Roy as Habs' GM search continues
Hockey News
ESPN - Eastern Conference matchup scenarios
The Hockey News - Lack of B's 'O' gives Capitals the upset win
TSN - McKenzie: Capitals used Dale Hunter hockey to upset Bruins
TSN - Lundqvist, Quick, Rinne nominated for Vezina Trophy
USA Today - Joel Ward's game-winner for Capitals unleashes racist tweets
USA Today - Capitals dismiss Stanley Cup champ Bruins from playoffs
6 comments:
Nashville has been tough all year and Barry Trotz is a great coach. Weber and Suter are among the top pair of blue-liners in the league while Rinne is solid in nets.
I hate to say it, but I think the Preds are for real this year.
@4ever
I agree that the Preds look like they are for real. By what do you hate to say it?
On another note, it would be quite a story if Phx made a run. Too bad NSH and PHX must face each other.
The Preds certainly do look like the real deal. Hey, anytime you're playing behind a goalie like Rinne you've got a chance. But, with their four lines of depth and scoring ability plus Weber and Suter, this really is a squad who could win it all.
Still, I've got my eye on L.A. with Philly having an outside chance.
Nashville is in a position they are in I think at least because of the play of Bouillion and Klein. In the past Weber and Suter were the primary guys but then there was a general lack of experience through the blueline which hurt them.
This offseason the Klein/Bouillon tandem has been playing phenomenally and now they will be adding Gill to the mix.
That is an extremely good playoff type Dcore playing in front of one of the world's best goaltenders.
@Bryan: You said it, Bry! And that's what "they" say, year after year...defense and goaltending wins championships.
Period.
Sorry for the belated reply Louis.. I hated to say it because Nashville doesn't strike me as a market that is overly passionate about hockey, which I think is the case with most teams from the "sun belt"
(no disrespect intended to the fans or people of those cities).
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