The 2010 NHL Eastern Conference playoffs start this Wednesday, April 14th with two of the four first round best-out-of-seven series getting underway. #4 seed Pittsburgh hosts #5 seed Ottawa at 7:00 P.M. and #2 seed New Jersey hosts #7 Philadelphia at 7:30. On Thursday, April 15th, #1 seed Washington hosts #8 seed Montreal at 7:00 P.M. and #3 seed Buffalo hosts #6 seed Boston at 7:00 P.M. Here is a brief preview of each team along with their current odds to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals
The Capitals finished the regular season with a record of 54-15-13 and a total of 121 points. While they dominated the Eastern Conference all season long, they finished the season on a strong note by going 6-1-3 in their last 10 game. Pittsburgh may be the only team that has a chance to keep them out of the NHL finals.
The Penguins finished the regular season with a record of 47-28-7 and a total of 101 points. While they are actually the fourth seed in the conference, the fact they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions makes them the second favorite from an odds standpoint.
The Devils finished the regular season with a record of 48-27-7 and a total of 103 points. Much of their success in these playoffs will depend on the play of their long time goalie Martin Broduer. One concern is they face Philadelphia in the first round, a team that beat them five out of the six times they played this season.
The Sabres finished the regular season with a record of 45-27-10 and a total of 100 points. This season G Ryan Miller turned in one of the best performances of his career and has shown the ability to single handedly shut down a team to preserve a win. If the Sabres can generate some consistent offense, they could be a team to watch in the postseason.
The Senators finished the regular season with a record of 44-32-6 and a total of 94 points. G Brain Elliot had an excellent season, but he will be playing in his first postseason ever so it will be interesting to see how he can handle the likes of Sydney Crosby and the Pens in the first round.
The Bruins finished the regular season with a record of 39-30-13 and a total of 91 points. Losing C Marc Savard for their series against the Sabres with a concussion will certainly help not help their cause, but they do have a solid defense led by Zdeno Chara and G Tuukka Rask which should allow them to keep every game close.
The Canadians finished the regular season with a record of 39-33-10 and a total of 88 points. The Habs come into their opening round series against the Capitals having gone just 3-4-3 in their last 10 games. They did have some success in the regular season against Washington, but it will take a monumental effort to get past the first round.
The Flyers finished the regular season with a record of 41-35-6 and a total of 88 points. They may have actually gotten a break by drawing the Devils in the first round having beat them five of six games this season. If G Brian Boucher can get hot at the right time, the Flyers have a chance to drag this series out to seven games to give themselves a shot to advance.
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