Sabres vs. Islanders
As good of a run the Islanders have had to make this miracle playoff birth, reality is going to set in quite quickly.
And although they might have the edge physically in this series, the dynamic duo of Witt and Hill simply won’t be able to have enough icetime to stop the wave after wave of offense Buffalo possesses.
Unfortunately Ted Nolan will not be coming back to haunt his former club this go around, for he is not god and he will not be able to transform Yashin or Satan into Ryan Smyth-like players.
So if you think the Isles will last 6 games in this one, keep smoking them Dubies!
Sabres in 5.
Senators vs. Penguins
The newly acquired Gary Roberts once beat the Sens in a playoff series practically by himself. And you can expect to hear him this time around as well. However, if you thought Crosby whined a lot in the regular season, imagine what will become of him when put under the Ottawa microscope this time around.
Welcome to the world of Wayne Gretzky. Your Fisher shadow will soon be upon you and most likely the amount of powerplays you were once used to in the regular season will not be here to save you. And now the real comparisons may commence.
I do expect the Penguins to give it a good go around in this first round series, but the inexperience the Sens know so well, will be the Penguins downfall.
Sens in 7.
Devils vs. Lightning
This series is shaping up to be, quite possibly the worst there is to speak of. New Jersey will be packing a future hall of famer as their goaltender, while the Lightning might be contemplating bringing Manon Rheaume out of retirement.
Sure the bolts might have a billion dollars locked up in offensive firepower, but a good old fashioned defense approach, is going to whup ass in this one.
Devils in 5.
Thrashers vs. Rangers
Unlike the series above this one, I think this might be the most interesting match up in the East. Here you have two teams with two great late runs since the deadline.
And although Waddell may have sold his soul to get his team this far, let’s not forget Tkachuk’s track record in the playoffs. He just might be a bigger choker than Marian Hossa. And as much as I like Zhitnik, the Thrashers look to have the worst defensive core in the tournament.
Expect to see Holik getting piggy back rides from Jagr and Avery do his best Barnaby impressions. This will be one hell of a physical test for both clubs. But in the end? Atlanta won’t prove to be much more than a group of icegirls to the Rangers.
Rangers in 6.
