The NHL playoff matchups are never an easy thing to predict, as many of those who picked San Jose to win the Stanley Cup are now finding out. However, after watching the Bruins and Hurricanes in their respective first round matchups, there are a few things that can be expected regarding both teams’ play and chances to succeed in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
| Offense: Both Boston Bruins | Boston and Carolina put together very well balanced scoring attacks in their first round matchups, although Boston did manage to put away their opponents in only four games. Interesting to note, however, is the fact that Boston’s leading scorer after the first round was 3rd line winger Michael Ryder. Carolina has a number of talented scorers on their team, including Eric Staal and playoff-tested names like Ray Whitney and Sergei Samsonov. But when Boston’s team scoring leader is a 3rd line winger, it just goes to show how deep the Bruins are at forward. The Bruins finished the season ranked 1st in the Eastern Conference in offense, making it difficult to pick against them here. > |
Advantage: Boston
Defense: Another area where it’s difficult to go with any team opposing the Bruins. Boston had the best defense in the NHL all regular season, and showed no signs of changing that in the playoffs, as they shut down Montreal’s offense in all four games of their first round series. Carolina, on the other hand, struggled to keep the generally mediocre offense of the Devils from creating scoring chances. With Zdeno Chara and his cannon of a slap shot from the point, the Bruins’ defense is another crucial part of their excellent style of play.
Advantage: Boston
Goaltending: This, as with any playoff series, can easily be the deciding factor. However, in this particular matchup, NHL fans will get to see two of the top goalies in the Eastern Conference go head to head in a battle for survival. Tim Thomas has to be the frontrunner for the Vezina trophy this year, as he was the league’s best goalie in most key statistical categories. Thomas only allowed six goals in his four starts against the Canadiens, and, during the regular season, was undefeated against Carolina. At the other end of the ice, though, will stand young phenom Cam Ward, who backstopped the Hurricanes to their single Stanley Cup victory in 2006. Ward is coming off of a spectacular seven game series in which he out-dueled one of the game’s greats in Martin Brodeur. While he did not play well against the Bruins this season, Ward has already shown he has what it takes to win in the playoffs. This should be fun to watch.
Advantage: Even
Special Teams: The Bruins finished the regular season ranked 4th in the league in powerplay goals. Carolina, on the other hand, finished a very mediocre 18th when playing with the man advantage. In their series with New Jersey, Carolina only scored twice on the powerplay, despite having 29 different opportunities. At the same time, they were almost perfect on their penalty kill, allowing only 3 goals on 27 kills. However, Boston’s powerplay is one of the most elite units in the league, with Chara quarterbacking it from the point. With the Bruins already holding a heavy advantage in scoring depth and defense, the Canes will have to convert when given the opportunity to on the powerplay.
Advantage: Boston
While Carolina certainly looked excellent in their first round win over New Jersey, they may find themselves just a bit outgunned against the Bruins. They have the potential to win, given the fact that Cam Ward has the ability to simply take over a game. However, the Bruins aren’t ranked number 1 in a tough Eastern Conference for nothing, and after their first round decimation of the Canadiens, they look as if they could be headed for the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston in 6