#2 Boston Bruins vs #7 Washington Capitals
Early season struggles kept the Bruins below 8th place, then all of a sudden a long winning streak from November to December kept the Bruins atop the Northeast division and they never looked back.
Many thought they were going to suffer a Stanley Cup hangover although early in the season proved that theory, that is not so the case anymore.
The Bruins are built for the playoffs, six 20 goals scorers, great goaltending from the once “overrated” Tim Thomas and the second best defensemen in the NHL. (1st, Nicklas Lidstrom). Problem is, will Tim Thomas get back to last years playoff form?
Ever since he boycotted visiting the White House, and going on a political rampage about Barack Obama, Thomas has struggled in the net. And to add more insult to injury, the Bruins also lost Tuukka Rask 4-6 weeks with a groin injury early March. Rash is expected to come back for the playoffs, but will he be ready, mentally and physically?
The Capitals have struggled all season long, despite a first week winning streak on October, that’s all they had to show for this season. Alexander Ovechkin has played average at best and Niklas Backstrom has missed over 40 games due to a concussion. With out Nicklas Backstrom playing to the best of his ability, you won’t get Ovechkin at his best game either.
What about Alex Semin? Making over $6 million this season, he has barely played average at best himself. And the playoffs, well we know what he’s all about in the playoffs, absolutely nothing. This guy has the potential to be a 60 goal scorer every season, if he would just start caring about the game.
The Capitals goaltedning has taken a MAJOR blow as well. Both Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth are out with injuries and will not see any first round action. Leaving young AHL goalie Braden Holtby to try and carry the team. Although I believe he is the next best goalie in the NHL, I don’t expect Holtby to carry the Capitals past the first round. Especially against this Bruins team who can score goals at any given moment.
I once predicted the Capitals to win the President’s trophy this season and hoist the Stanley Cup. But, many experts including myself overlooked at how bad this Capitals team is built. Especially with their “best” defensemen always worried about scoring goals, rather than playing his position of defense.
Expect the Washington Capitals to get swept out of the first round of the playoffs, giving GM George McPhee no choice but to rebuild the entire team in the offseason.
The Bruins will out work, hit and score the Capitals from start to finish.
SERIES PREDICTION: Boston Bruins to win the series in 4 games.
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Bruins in 4 i highly doubt that…if you had said 6 or 7 i wouldnt be writing this but the capitals are a good team…ever heard anyone say that the playoffs are a whole new season? Sure they have been a disapointment but with guys like alex ovechkin,alex semin,niklas backstrom,denis wideman an mike green i would hardly say that they were chopped liver.and they are hardly just about there young stars.with mike knubble joe ward i think the caps beat the bruins in 7.
Keep in mind, the Capitals goaltending is torn all apart right now. Bruins can easily score 3 goals a game on all star goalies. Imagine what they will do to Holtby and whoever the kid is they bring up from minors
Well look back at the last game Holtby played against the bruins he held his own until the caps decided to play strictly defense in the 3rd lettin in only one goal on a breakaway and 2 more in the third because of the teams lackluster play. I pick caps in 6
Chalk this prediction up to being a home town type prediction. Why you would pick LA all the way to the cup sounds ludicrous. They have never faced the Blues with all their forwards. Mostly missing Andy McDonnell but Perron was also not there most of the time if memory serves. Kings will probably not damage their usual effort in the playoffs against the Blues and keep their present 0 wins and 8 losses record in the previous 8 playoff games with St. Louis safe. Look for Phoenix to upend the Predators also. Their coach seems to just get it done. Look for the Blues to finally give LA one victory and take it in 5.