Post Classifieds
Parity leaves race for Stanley Cup wide open
NHL Lockout won’t detract from the excitement playoffs bring
By Aaron Garland & Chris Dierken
On May 2, 2013
April nearly came and went without one of sports' finest customs commencing.
The NHL lockout delayed the start of the season and consequently, the beginning of the Stanley Cup
Playoffs. But the annual spring tournament that ordinarily beings in the middle of April returned
Tuesday night, the ultimate day of the month.
In just three months the lockout has elapsed from the minds of NHL fans, and the focus is now geared
toward deciding which teams have the right composition to make a deep run. The answer to that
question won't come easy given recent Cup runs by lower-seeded, or at least non-favored, teams.
Parity has reached its pinnacle in the NHL and the uniformity is set to be exhibited for the next two
months. There is little certainty this time of year in hockey, but here is what to watch for in the first
round.
Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)
Penguins outlook: Pittsburgh possesses the most firepower of any team in the playoffs, even if injured
Sidney Crosby misses any time. The question as always with the Penguins is if they have enough of
it to overcome Marc-Andre Fleury's perennial playoff shortcomings. General Manager Ray Shero did
everything in his power to help ensure that, trading high picks for Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray
before the trade deadline. Pittsburgh is all in this postseason.
Islanders Outlook: Back in the dance for the first time since 2007, the Islanders are led by the league's
third-leading goal scorer, John Tavares. Along with Tavares, the Isles sport a promising young roster that
made a leap to the postseason earlier than most expected. Even less trust them to take it a step further
and knock off the Pens.
Montreal Canadiens (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (7)
Canadiens Outlook: The Canadiens went from basement-dwellers to Northeast Division champions
in just one season, led by an influx of young talent and an improved defense. P.K. Subban led all
defensemen in scoring, and will log big minutes throughout the playoffs. Montreal's offensive depth
should ensure consistent scoring no matter the opponent.
Senators Outlook: Ottawa overcame injuries to its top scorer, defensemen and goaltender and just
snuck in to the post season. With Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson back, the Senators are getting
healthy at the right time. The Senators led the NHL in penalty kill percentage and were second in goals
allowed, so they will try to slow the game down and limit Montreal's scoring opportunities.
Washington Capitals (3) vs. New York Rangers (6)
Capitals outlook: Though they won a weak Southeast Division, Washington is dangerous team this
spring. They are the hottest team in the league, having won eight of their last 10 games. Led by Alex
Ovechkin's league-leading 32 goals, the Capitals are peaking at the right time. They have the make-up to
make a run, especially if goaltender Braden Holtby encores his performance in last year's postseason.
Rangers outlook: New York is nearly as hot as the Caps at 7-3 in its last 10, posing one of the more
intriguing matchups of the first round. The Rangers are finally performing at the level expected of them
when they acquired All-Star winger Rick Nash in the offseason. They have the defense and goaltending
in Henrik Lundqvist to make their early-season struggle a distant memory.
Boston Bruins (4) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (5)
Bruins Outlook: The Bruins are still the toughest team in the NHL, and they also boast one of the most
balanced rosters in the league. Patrice Bergeron is the epitome of a playoff performer, and he will
control the puck in all three zones. The Bruins are built for the playoffs, and their experience will shine
through against the inexperienced Leafs.
Leafs Outlook: The Maple Leafs are in the post season for the first time since 2004 and boast the
league's sixth-best offense. Their defense and goaltending are still major question marks, and teams can
exploit Toronto's inexperience with structured play. The Maple Leafs are fast and mean, but Boston can
more than match them in both categories.
Western Conference
Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (8)
Blackhawks Outlook: The Blackhawks paced the NHL in points from start to finish this season and are
the heavy favorite to win the Western Conference. Chicago's biggest question mark going into the post
season is still in net, but Cory Crawford and Ray Emery have been solid all year. The Blackhawks are
poised for a long run, and their balanced attack could lead them deep into June.
Wild Outlook: The Wild have sputtered down the stretch, even with the addition of former Sabres
captain Jason Pominville. Free agent acquisitions Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will lead Minnesota into
the post season, and goaltender Niklas Backstrom has the ability to steal games. Team depth is a
question mark for the Wild, and their top line needs to flourish for Minnesota to succeed.
Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (7)
Ducks outlook: The platoon of Viktor Fasth and Jonas Hiller has proved effective this year for the Ducks,
who responded to last year's 13th-place finish in the West with a Pacific Division crown. They may be
best served with not changing that strategy, doubling their chances for one of them to catch fire and
carry Anaheim deep into the playoffs. With Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf both enjoying bounce-back
years, the Ducks' offense has the potential to make life tough on a Nicklas Lidstrom-less Detroit defense.
Red Wings outlook: Speaking of Lidstrom, a byproduct of his retirement is the Red Wings being in
unfamiliar territory as the seventh seed rather than their customary No. 1, 2 or 3 seed. The roster is
still laden with veterans apt for winning, however, and seeding means next to nothing in the playoffs.
Detroit should exhibit that by forcing a long series.
Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. San Jose Sharks (6)
Canucks Outlook: Vancouver is actually flying under the radar this year, and playing third fiddle to
Chicago and Anaheim could benefit the Northwest champs. The acquisitions of Derek Roy and Jason
Garrison have helped the team's depth, and Cory Schneider has bounced back from a rough start with
strong play down the stretch. With a healthy Ryan Kesler, the Canucks could be primed for a long playoff
run.
Sharks Outlook: The Sharks' offense has declined this season, even with Brent Burns moving up from
defense to forward. Antti Niemi has single-handedly kept the Sharks in contention, despite a lackluster
defense in front of him. The Sharks' inability to score could come back to bite them in the post season,
especially against a defensively sound team like Vancouver.
St. Louis Blues (4) vs. Los Angeles Kings (5)
Blues outlook: Each year, goalies become red hot and put teams on their backs in the playoffs. Brian
Elliott could be this year's answer to last playoffs' Jonathan Quick, Mike Smith and Braden Holtby. He
has allowed just 16 goals in his last 13 games, and the Blues defense is capable of shutting down any top
offense.
Kings outlook: After experiencing a minor championship hangover to start the year, the Kings are back
in an attempt to repeat. That will be tough to achieve after one of the most prodigious runs in Cup
history a year ago. Still, Los Angeles features balanced scoring and returns veteran d-man Matt Greene
from injury to bolster an already strong back end. This series is as even as they come and could make for
an entertaining Game 7, which is a likely scenario.
Aaron Garland can be reached by email at garland.record@live.com or on Twitter @AA_Garland. Chris
Dierken can be reached by email at dierken.record@live.com or on Twitter @cdierken.
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