EHE Playoffs: Round 1 Predictions 2016-04-21 It was another great season for the EHE, filled with lots goals, lots of drama and of course, lots of trades. With the regular season now over it's time to look to the post season. Here's a look at the first round match-ups and how we see them playing out. Dallas vs. Minnesota Who’s got the edge? Offense: Dallas Defense: Dallas Goaltending: Dallas Special Teams: Minnesota The Verdict: The Dallas Stars were the second best team in the EHE this season. They’re an extremely well rounded squad with few weaknesses. The Wild had a great late-season run to secure the last wild card sport in the Gretzky Conference, but they’re simply over-matched here. Stars in 5 Chicago vs. Colorado Who’s got the edge? Offense: Colorado Defense: Colorado Goaltending: Chicago Special Teams: Colorado The Verdict: The Blackhawks and the Avalanche had great seasons, with both teams reaching the 100 point mark. This should be an extremely close series, but as we see above the Avs have an advantage (albeit it very slight) in most categories. Avalanche in 7 Los Angeles vs. San Jose Who’s got the edge? Offense: Los Angeles Defense: Los Angeles Goaltending: San Jose Special Teams: San Jose The Verdict: The Sharks faltered down the stretch, falling out of third place in the Pacific Division and into a wild card spot. Although a great team on paper, something’s just not clicking in San Jose. The Kings meanwhile have been a dominant force all season. Look for that to continue into the playoffs. Kings in 6 Arizona vs. Vancouver Who’s got the edge? Offense: Arizona Defense: Vancouver Goaltending: Vancouver Special Teams: Arizona The Verdict: Vancouver went on a late-season surge, going from outside the playoffs all the way to third place in the Pacific Division. Unfortunately they’ve run into one of the few teams who finished the season hotter than them. The Coyotes went 8-1-1 in their last 10 and likely have too much firepower for the Canucks to handle. Coyotes in 6 Ottawa vs. Washington Who’s got the edge? Offense: Ottawa Defense: Ottawa Goaltending: Washington Special Teams: Ottawa The Verdict The Ottawa Senators were the class of the EHE this season, winning the President’s Trophy with an impressive 117 points. The Capitals fought hard to secure the last playoff spot in the Lemieux conference, but unfortunately their run will almost surely end in the first round. Senators in 4 Montreal vs. Toronto Who’s got the edge? Offense: Montreal Defense: Montreal Goaltending: Toronto Special Teams: Toronto The Verdict This classic match-up should be a good one, as both teams finished strong heading into the post season. This is a tough one to call, but Montreal is the deeper team both up front and on the blueline, and over a 7 game series that will make the difference. Montreal in 7 New Jersey vs. Boston Who’s got the edge? Offense: Boston Defense: New Jersey Goaltending: New Jersey Special Teams: Boston The Verdict The Bruins hit a wall at the end of the season, finishing on a four game losing streak, however, the Devils didn’t manage much better going just .500 in their last ten games. The Bruins are better than their late-season slump suggests and their explosive offense and top-ranked powerplay will be the difference here. Boston in 6 Pittsburgh vs. New York Who’s got the edge? Offense: New York Defense: Pittsburgh Goaltending: New York Special Teams: Pittsburgh The Verdict The Rangers were easily the busiest team at the trade deadline, but unfortunately their moves haven’t seemed to translate into on ice success. The Penguins haven’t exactly been lighting the league up either, but they’ve proven to be more consistent down the stretch. Penguins in 7 Don't agree with our predictions? Let us know what you think!
