14 April 2010

2010 East Playoff Matchups, Round 1

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens
Washington: (54-15-13, 121 pts)
Montreal: (39-33-10, 88 pts)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Washington History: Washington has five division titles and one conference title. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs twice. The Caps have failed to qualify for the playoffs five times in ten seasons. Two seasons ago they fell in the first round in seven games to the Flyers. Last year they finished second in the East with 108 points, but lost to the Penguins in the conference semifinals. The Caps have gone to seven games in their last three playoff series.
Montreal History: Montreal has 35 division titles and 24 Stanley Cup wins, though the last one was in the ’92-93 season. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs three times. Last year the Habs finished eighth in the East with 93 points, but were swept in the first round by the Bruins. The season before that, they lost to the Flyers in five games in the second round. Montreal has also failed to qualify for the playoffs five times in the past ten seasons.
Chelsea’s Prediction: Caps in six.
Adam’s Prediction: Caps in four.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers
New Jersey: (48-27-7, 103 pts)
Philadelphia: (41-35-6, 88 pts)
Season Series: 5-1 Flyers
New Jersey History: New Jersey has nine division titles and three Stanley Cup wins, though the last one was in the ’02-03 season. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs all four seasons. The Devils have failed to qualify for the playoffs only once in the past twenty seasons. Despite winning their division three of the past four years, the Devils haven’t been able to advance past the second round in this time period. Last year they finished third in the East with 106 points, but lost in the first round to the Hurricanes in seven games.
Philadelphia History: Philadelphia has fifteen division titles and two Stanley Cup wins, though the last one was in the ’74-75 season. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs three times. The Flyers best run in recent years was in the ’07-08 season where they lost to the Penguins in the conference finals in five games. They have qualified for the playoffs thirteen times in the last fourteen seasons. Last year they finished fifth in the East with 99 points, but lost in the first round to the Penguins in six games.
Chelsea’s Prediction: Flyers in seven.
Adam’s Prediction: Flyers in six.

(3) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Boston Bruins
Buffalo: (45-27-10, 100 pts)
Boston: (39-30-13, 91 pts)
Season Series: 4-2 Bruins
Buffalo History: Buffalo has six division titles and two conference titles. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs twice. Though they haven’t qualified in the past two seasons, the Sabres made it to the conference finals both years before that. They lost those series’ to the Hurricanes and the Senators. The Sabres have failed to qualify for the playoffs five times in the past ten seasons. Last year they finished tenth in the East with 91 points.
Boston History: Boston has 25 division titles and five Stanley Cup wins, though the last one was in the ’71-’72 season. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs twice, both coming in the past two years. They have qualified for the playoffs seven times in the past twelve seasons. Two years ago, they lost in seven games to the Canadiens in the first round. Last year the Bruins finished first in the East with 116 points, but lost to the Hurricanes in a seven game series in the second round after sweeping the Canadiens.
Chelsea’s Prediction: Sabres in five.
Adam’s Prediction: Sabres in seven.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Ottawa Senators
Pittsburgh: (47-28-7, 101 pts)
Ottawa: (44-32-6, 94 pts)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Pittsburgh History: Pittsburgh has six division titles and three Stanley Cup wins, including last season’s title. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs three times. They’ve been in the Stanley Cup finals for the past two years. The Penguins have qualified for the playoffs six times in the past ten seasons. Last year they finished fourth in the East with 99 points.
Ottawa History: Ottawa has four division titles and one conference title. In the past four years, they’ve qualified for the playoffs three times. Though they failed to qualify last season, the Senators were the conference champions in the ’06-07 season. The next season they fell in four games to the Penguins in the first round. The Senators have qualified for the playoffs eleven times in the past twelve years, and eleven times in their sixteen season history. Last year they finished eleventh in the East with 83 points.
Chelsea’s Prediction: Ottawa in seven.
Adam’s Prediction: Penguins in five.

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