With the end of the NHL Season fast approaching it is time to start answering some questions in the always competitive Eastern Conference. So here's some questions i keep hearing.1. Can anybody stop the Caps?
Going into Tuesday evening the high flying Capitals are ahead of every other team in the East by a commanding 14 points. For those of you that aren't quite sure of truly how much that is, that's a 7 game lead on the second place Penguins! The Capitals are flying high with the always entertaining Alexander Oveckin leading the way with 46 goals and 100 points. In addition the blossoming as Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom make the Caps first line the most feared top line in the league (yes more dangerous than Marleau, Thornton, and Heatly). The x-factor for the Caps, as in recent years, is can their goaltending hold up during the playoffs. Recently Jose Theodore has shown glimpses of his long forgotten glory days with the Canadiens, recording a 17-1-2 record over the past 20 games. The Caps will go as far as Theodore, or largely unproven Russian goaltender, Semyon Varlamov.
2. Can the injury ridden Flyers make a push in the playoffs?
The Philadelphia Flyers are slipping fast in the playoff race. Dropping 7 of their last 8 games, the Flyers are showing the full impact of losing their top three goalies, Ray Emery, Michael Leighton, and Brian Boucher. Now the Flyers are going with a 28 year old rookie, Johan Backlund, who remains unproven. Despite the Flyers slipping play, veterans like Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen bring experience and leadership during these tough times. If the Flyers do find a way to make it into the playoffs they may be able to add Michael Leighton and leading scorer, Jeff Carter, back into the lineup as both are due back by mid-April. The road for the Flyers remains bumpy, but if the past proves anything, the Flyers will make the playoffs in some fashion.
Check back in a few days to read Part II
7 comments:
Well the run for the caps is over early this year. With everyone believing that they would dominate and make a cup run, it is not going to happen this year.
With the caps already out, I would like to see the pens and flyers play for the eastern conference championship, and see the great pittsburgh-philadelphia rivalry play out. With the pens winning of course ha
Now that the playoffs have been underway and we are beginning the second round, both of your questions have been answered. I was very surprised the top three teams, especially the Capitals got knocked out. I was happy they did however. It proves that Ovechkin in a good player, but he acts like it is a one man show in my opinion. For the Flyers, they are still in it. I would like to see another rematch between the Flyers and Pens so we will have to wait and see!
I'm so glad the Caps were eliminated, they were the only team I think that could pose a major threat to defeating the Pens on their run to recapturing Lord Stanley!
I cannot express how happy I am that Ovechkin got eliminated from the playoffs, which just further proves that Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is the best player in the game, on the best team in the league!
Go Pens!
Go Blue Jackets!
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