So, there's 10 games left in the regular season before the playoffs starts, and the NHL is proving to be quite the thriller. Living in portland, I don't get to see too many games, let alone any insightful post-game analysis, but let it be said that I've been drawn in by this year's installment of the final stretch. My habs are on the run for top spot in the eastern conference and they're fighting with a worthy adversary in the neighbouring Ottawa Senators. Add to this the fact that the leafs are likely to miss the playoffs, can a habs fan ask for anything better?? I highly doubt it.
At this point, I guess i'm drawing out a lot of scenarios in my head for the post season matchups and here's something that would be ideal. We all know that the top 6 spots in the east are all but locked up for the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers. The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia flyers seem to be in shape to get in, but with the last 10 games, if Toronto gets very lucky can manage to squeeze in. I am as anti-leaf as the next habs fan, but I'd still rather have toronto in the playoffs than an american team so for the time being.. Go Leafs Go. I must also admit that i do fear the leafs in the playoffs, especially if they're facing the habs. As horrible a team as they are, they somehow manage to perform well against the Canadiens every time. It seems that they only perform against the senators and the Canadiens, as though their only goal is to bring down their fellow canadian teams. It would be a bitter pill to swallow to see them barely make into the playoffs and eliminate the teams that have worked so hard throughout the year.
I guess the ideal scenario would be if Ottawa finished 1st in the conference and are forced to play the leafs in the 1st round. (highly unlikely.. more likely the Flyers).. New Jersey should be able to streamroll through 7th place Boston. and 3rd place Carolina are going to be destroyed by 6th place Montreal. That's right.. I said 6th place montreal.. you're probably wondering that I'm insane for saying that montreal drop to 6th place in the standings. that's because i see pittsburgh and newyork rangers to take 4th and 5th place respectively.. and face each other.. This leaves montreal to play the lowly hurricanes in the 1st round. It's just the kind of confidence building a young team needs early in the playoffs. Habs beat carolina in 5 and get through to the second round.
Going into the second round, we have, Ottawa Vs. Pittsburgh/NewYork and Montreal vs. New Jersey.. Knowing the Habs record vs. the devils this year, this should favour the habs.. and any one of ottawa, newyork or pittsburgh can get through on the other side. The reason i said any one of the three is because all three are very capable teams that are offensively powerful, and can be considered powerhouses.
Look ahead to the conference finals. The dream finals would be Ottawa vs. Montreal (although i dread it considering montreal's miserable showing in tonight's game). I see New York pulling through to face the habs. Habs take the series in 7 thanks to some stellar goaltending by the young Price. wishful thinking i know. The habs are still a good season away from becoming the contenders they're touted to be.
Out in the west, i'm betting that the sharks will make it through. The acquisition of Campbell to strengthen their defense was definitely the move of the deadline.
I know i'm being extremely hopeful here but you can't stop a guy from dreaming. You can't tell me that an all canadian conference final doesn't excite you. Let's get this show on the road and show the world what we're made of..
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