Buffalo Sabres Could Win The Eastern Conference

Capitals will be healthiest after opening round
The Conference Quarter Finals offer up a couple of brutal match-ups. The Devils lost the season series with the Flyers 5 games to 1 but as the #2 seed still go in as provisional favorites to progress. There’s always at least one upset in the early rounds and none in the East look as good for a low seed as this one, Philadelphia will get through in six games. Buffalo look well-set against a Boston team that rode some late-season momentum into the sixth seed, momentum that will likely burn out in five games against the more playoff-ready Sabres.

Ottawa and Pittsburgh offer up a solid clash in the #4 vs #5 seed clash. The pair split the season series but haven’t met since January. With the core of last year’s Stanley Cup champions still in place I have to give the edge to the Penguins in six. One team will cruise through the opening round, namely the Washington Capitals who should sweep the faltering Montreal Canadiens.

Brutal tests to continue for the Penguins
If Pittsburgh is to retain the Stanley Cup it will do so the hard way, as based on my first round predictions the Pens would be up against the Sabres in the Conference Semi Finals. Sidney Crosby may be the most exciting player in the game but Ryan Miller has been a revelation this season in front of goal for Buffalo. Expect the Olympic rematch comparisons to be made no end in clash which will be tough to call in NHL betting. I expect it to go the full seven games with Pittsburgh to just about prevail. The Capitals will find Philadelphia to be made of sterner stuff than the Canadiens but the Flyers will still be no match for Ovechkin and company. Washington to progress in six.

Battle hardened Penguins will fall short
After being well tested by Ottawa and pushed to the edge by Buffalo, Pittsburgh will be hold the competitive edge over the Capitals at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals. Endurance matters however and while the Penguins might get off to an early start, possibly winning the opening game, I expect Washington to come strong and win over six gruelling encounters to win the Eastern Conference title.