There is no greater sports spectacle than the Stanley Cup playoffs. The intensity of an NHL playoff game is unmatched. The fans are even more rabid than normal, fans are all dressed in the same color and the level of play is unmatched.
As we approach the holidays, we will take a look at what the match ups would be if the playoffs started today.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Tampa has been one of the best teams so far all season. Their 41 points is good for a tie for second in the NHL, two behind Anaheim. Stamkos and company have gotten it done in a variety of ways. They can score, the have a decent defense and most importantly, Ben Bishop is playing like a bona fide number one goalie.
Boston has had to deal with a lot of injuries, especially to the defense corps. Most notably, Zdeno Chara. Chara made his return to the lineup last night in the Bruins 3-2 loss to Chicago. His return will hopefully stabilize the defense.
This has the makings of what could be a long hard fought series. Boston has yet to play their best hockey and we all know they are a team that is built for the long haul. They have size, strength and, most importantly, Tukka Rask.
Penguins vs Maple Leafs
Pittsburgh is yet again off to another great start. Sidney Corsby has been at or near the top of the scoring race all season. Marc Andre Fleury has had another great campaign and the defense has remained solid despite the losses of Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen.
Toronto has been kind of up and down some. They are a team that can score they play sound in their own end but somehow they can never seem to put it all together for extended stretches. The goalie tandem of James Riemer and Jonathan Bernier has been good but neither one has entrenched themselves as the legitimate number 1.
Against an offense like Pittsburgh, either goalie needs to bring their best. Even still, Pittsburgh has been the better team and would most likely win this series but it has the makings of a back and forth high scoring affair. Should be fun to watch if they get the chance.
Islanders vs Capitals
The New York Islanders might be the biggest surprise of the NHL season so far. They are currently 2nd in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind the Penguins. John Tavares leads this young explosive team. They can score goals with the best of them. Defensively, Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuck have solidified the back end.
Jaroslav Halak is proving to be a great addition in goal. It has been a long time since New York has had the comfort of knowing they have a goalie that is going to carry the load and carry it well.
In their first season under new coach Barry Trotz, no one was sure what the Capitals were gonna to look like. since Alex Ovechkin has come into the league, Washington has been known as a team that would just try to score lots of goals a maybe play some defense.
Trotz is not that type of coach. His Nashville teams were always built around defense. Ovechkin has accepted the new system and Washington is playing pretty for their new bench boss and surprising to some are currently in one of the playoff slots in the East.
Should this series take place, it also has the makings of a good one. CanTrotz's defense keep pace with Tavares and the Isles? Ultimately this would probably come down to goaltending play.
Red Wings vs Canadiens
This is the series the purest would salivate for. Two original six teams, two storied franchises and two of the most passionate fan bases in the sport. They are also two teams that are trending in slightly different directions.
Detroit is playing it's best hockey of the year right now. Since Pavel Datsyuk returned, Detroit is playing like Detroit. The Wings are another team that has been hindered by the injury bug much like Boston. Jimmy Howard has played very well and the mix of young players and veterans has Mike Babcock's team in the thick of it once again.
Montreal, on the other hand, has cooled off considerably as of late. The Canadiens were at one point the top team in the league points wise and have seen their production slip a little. They now sit third in the Atlantic Division.
This series could display some great hockey but also two of the best atmospheres for watching hockey. The two fan bases in Detroit and Montreal are two of the best. This series would have it all. Good goaltending, offense and crazy passionate fans.
Join us Monday as we take a look at what the Western conference matchups would be if the playoffs started today.
League Leaders through 12/11/14
Goals – Seguin, 22
Assists – Crosby, 26
Points – Seguin, 36
Plus/Minus – Forsberg, +25
Wins – Rinne, 19
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
