GO LEAFS GO

If Leafs can get lucky and slide by the Bruins, the east is wide open. Pittsburgh's defense is not a great strength. They turn over the puck and are prone to counter-attacks. The Islanders put enough pucks by them. If it wasn't for shoddy goaltending a defense, the Islanders would have won that series. They're going to have their hands full, with Ottawa. Even if the Bruins prevail, they're going to be beat up going on to round 2.

They're not going to "roll over" anyone. Obviously you haven't actually watched Corey Crawford this year or in the first series.

The Pens' goaltending and defense have been pretty suspect. They had tough time even beating the Islanders.

I'm not saying they can't pick it up and get on a roll but Malkin-Crosby does not guarantee jack poop.
- patorioto

wow you blackhawk fans are cocky

wow you blackhawk fans are cocky
- gravyboy33

no just speak the truth, hate on crow and emery all you want to, but their numbers (stats ) speak for themselves, hawks have 4 dominant lines they can roll out and score, our 4th line would give pens problems with how pens D has been looking in the playoffs, and some of you pens fans are delusional and whine a lil too much when others break ish down for you guys, its ok

I think any team that makes the playoffs has some chance of winning. However even at a 1000 to 1 I wouldn't put 10 bucks on Ottawa. They got by on penalties and injured players. They could keep smashing (literally) their way through the east until they have to face Boston. Still they would never get by Chicago. No depth. They are getting scoring from all lines but When you put that with Chicago's 3 lines of defense and 2 lines of scoring with some big bodies on the bottom 6.

I wouldn't say ANY team could win. Lot of good ol' Canadian boys on the Chicago team. Count them up. Team with the most wins.

I like the Capitals to win.
- flamminghead

Same. It would be nice to see them win and get a lot of haters off their back. Especially for Ovi.

I think Bruins, Caps and NYR all have a shot.

no just speak the truth, hate on crow and emery all you want to, but their numbers (stats ) speak for themselves, hawks have 4 dominant lines they can roll out and score, our 4th line would give pens problems with how pens D has been looking in the playoffs, and some of you pens fans are delusional and whine a lil too much when others break ish down for you guys, its ok
- Hawkeyes

again you just sound cocky

Annnnnnd here's your sour grapes because the Flyers aren't in the playoffs blog.
- keaner17

You decoded the hidden message!

no just speak the truth, hate on crow and emery all you want to, but their numbers (stats ) speak for themselves, hawks have 4 dominant lines they can roll out and score, our 4th line would give pens problems with how pens D has been looking in the playoffs, and some of you pens fans are delusional and whine a lil too much when others break ish down for you guys, its ok
- Hawkeyes

You guys have a LONG way to go before you worry about the finals. Lets see how you do against the Kings or Anaheim before you start worrying about finals matchups.

If a team in the East wins it's either Pittsburgh or Washington, I think.

You'd pick Corey Crawford and Ray Emery over the Penguins offense? That's laughable. No Western team has had to deal with Malkin-Crosby this year. The best tandem in the West is Kane-Toews, so Chicago hasn't even come close to playing anyone with Pittsburgh's talent. With consistent goaltending the Pens will roll over anyone.
- trolleytracks

you are stupid. chicago or LA. book it

That's ridiculous! For years Ek has more than given the Pens their due. Why are Pens fans so concerned about what the pundits think (who mostly pick them to win the cup every year anyway)? If others can't share your love for your team, who cares?
- BOSS_TWEED

Not concerned what pundits think, but ek will take shots at the pens any chance he gets. If the flyers were in the playoffs, this article would never have been written. Its just bitterness.

you are stupid. chicago or LA. book it
- seatsy

West is overrated book it

- Flyfreaky

Whatever Wellwood and Byfuglien do in the off season is totally up to them.

West is overrated book it
- gravyboy33

Me thinks that either both of you should sit down and read a book.

(And anyone who does not think Chicago is by far the class of the league is poopy-cotton-headed-ninny-muggens)

Me thinks that either both of you should sit down and read a book.

(And anyone who does not think Chicago is by far the class of the league is poopy-cotton-headed-ninny-muggens)
- Beatle_john

mes thinks the west has an inferiority complex (given the Hart nominations and the anger spewed at the ecb)

I think any team that makes the playoffs has some chance of winning. However even at a 1000 to 1 I wouldn't put 10 bucks on Ottawa. They got by on penalties and injured players. They could keep smashing (literally) their way through the east until they have to face Boston. Still they would never get by Chicago. No depth. They are getting scoring from all lines but When you put that with Chicago's 3 lines of defense and 2 lines of scoring with some big bodies on the bottom 6.

I wouldn't say ANY team could win. Lot of good ol' Canadian boys on the Chicago team. Count them up. Team with the most wins.
- bsteinley

Huge young tallented defense and anderson had nothing to do with them winning huh

mes thinks the west has an inferiority complex (given the Hart nominations and the anger spewed at the ecb)
- gravyboy33

Eh, I don't care. I'd take a cup over 10 regular season awards.

I think either the Hawks or Kings come out of the West. I don't see any team from the East beating them.

these boards always get flooded by leafs fans--but let me say this: *IF* the leafs "slide by" the Bruins, there is a 100% chance that they will be swept and Claude Julien would be fired. Good team, good talent--not ready. They should have pulled the trigger on Luongo and not have played loop-dee-loop in over-valuing mediocre talent (althought I suppose that's not the point)

(coming from a Bruins fan) The Pens are the best team in hockey. Not only did you lose the MVP of the league and bounce back seemlessly; you also ADDED two great, proven forwards in Morrow and Iginla. If PIT loses next round Bylsma should be sent packing.

As much as I want the Bruins to go far; the EAST finals will be PIT vs. New York/ Washington.

Chicago should avoid the San Jose Canucks if at all possible. Sabotage the red wings dressing room or something because Raffi Torres isnt finished yet.

In the most uneventful series ever--PIT beats LA to win in 5 and nobody cared

West is overrated book it
- gravyboy33

You just sound like a Pens fan that was riding the high of the media kissing ur teams behind after the deadline moves and now everyone sees your goaltending and defense for what it is this year..... Very suspect. Get ur little feelings hurt and say we sound cocky but all I know is I like the Hawks chances a hell of alot more than the Pens to get to the cup, and thats not how i felt to start the playoffs.

so Columbus and Detroit, middle of the pack teams in the west, should dominate the east next year? doubt it

so Columbus and Detroit, middle of the pack teams in the west, should dominate the east next year? doubt it
- Freezewiz

I dont recall anyone saying that, what it is saying is the top teams in the West are better than the top teams in the East. Just look at the Pens who are the cream of the crop in the East and had real trouble with the Islanders and could have easily went to game 7 due to their suspect D and goaltending. Now look at the Hawks in the West that took care of buisness in 5 games and could have easily swept if not for an OT fluke type play for a loss in game 3, oh and doing that without Bolland and Emery AND without the 1st line really producing at all in that 1st round. Anything can happen in the playoffs but I dont see the Pens getting past the Sens if Anderson plays the way he did this round. And here is hoping the Wings and Hawks get one final playoffs matchup

Yes. People who think otherwise are brainwashed by the media. Teams like Ottawa and New York have as great a chance as Pittsburgh and Washington.

these boards always get flooded by leafs fans--but let me say this: *IF* the leafs "slide by" the Bruins, there is a 100% chance that they will be swept and Claude Julien would be fired. Good team, good talent--not ready. They should have pulled the trigger on Luongo and not have played loop-dee-loop in over-valuing mediocre talent (althought I suppose that's not the point)
- wearethewind

I don't understand why having the boards "flooded with Leafs fans" either matters or should come as a surprise. Biggest fan base and they are currently still alive in the playoffs and this blog is about eastern teams in the playoffs and whether any of them can win the Cup.

If they do make it past the Bruins (which I don't think will happen due to having to win 3 straight against BOS) it won't be "sliding by" It would be a very tough, hard fought and well earned victory. I don't know why you're trying to diminish what they haven't even accomplished yet. Nervous a bit perhaps? They've already exceeded expectations and should be recognized for that.

And to say 100% they will be swept in the second round is completely ridiculous. They would have to play either WAS who has shown just as much inconsistency this season as TOR, or NYR on whom they would hold home ice advantage. They have already beaten BOS twice and obviously if they win the series that would mean four victories. Do you really think any team capable of beating BOS even the two games they have thus far wouldn't be able to get even one win against WAS or NYR? Seeing as BOS is one of the clear cut top teams in the east the answer should be a resounding no.

I'm not even going to touch the Luongo thing except to say from a long term organizational stand point (not talent level, as I think he's an upgrade for TOR) NO TEAM should acquire Luongo and that crippling contract except maybe FLA and even they have young Markstrom coming up. Reimer may not yet be able to hang with the elite goalies of the league but he certainly proved in game 5 that he is capable of making the big saves when needed and can steal a game in the playoffs. A series? We have yet to see, but game 5 was a good start for a playoff rookie with a very inexperienced team in front of him.

I would agree though, that the Leafs have some talent but definitely aren't ready. I also agree that if the Bruins collapse and lose 3 straight to TOR to lose the series Julien would likely be gone. Same with Bylsma if PIT does anything short of making it to the SCF.

Nobody here has a crystal ball. Poop happens, especially in the playoffs. One key injury, a timely goal or untimely turnover, a strange bounce, a garbage call or non call (which we've seen plenty of) and a series can change direction fast. If everything stayed constant and these variables didn't come into play then things would be a lot more predictable (and boring) But that's why they play the games. The only teams that have NO chance anymore are VAN, MON, MIN, STL, NYI.

For the record, my pre-season (lock out) call was NYR beat STL for the Cup. As it stands right now, I'm going with CHI over BOS if I had to put money down on it.

End rant.