 
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (1) VS. NEW YORK RANGERS (8)
Regular season series
Washington went 1-2-1, New York went 3-1-0
Key Injuries
Washington: D Mike Green (concussion) should play
New York: RW Ryan Callahan (fractured right leg) is out indefinitely
Key matchup
 Washington’s top line of Mike Knuble-Nicklas Backstrom-Alex Ovechkin vs. New York’s top defense pairing of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal. Girardi and Staal have become one of the best shutdown duos in the league; both are unafraid to be physical with Ovechkin. Look for Bruce Boudreau to do all he can to get his top line away from Girardi and Staal in the games at the Verizon Center.
Leading scorers
Washington: Alex Ovechkin (32-53-85), Nicklas Backstrom (18-47-65), Alex Semin (28-26-54).
New York: Brandon Dubinsky (24-30-54), Marian Gaborik (22-26-48), Derek Stepan (21-24-45).
Starting goalies
Washington: Michael Neuvirth (27-11-4, 2.49, .910)
New York: Henrik Lundqvist (36-27-5, 2.28, .920)
Outlook
Washington is only 14 points off its 2009-10 Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, yet there seems to be a feeling of disappointment in the regular campaign. Boudreau attempted to implement a defensive system during the six-month prelude to the playoffs in order for his charges to be better prepared for the spring-into-summer grind. The Rangers qualified for the playoffs on the second-to-last night of the regular season thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 6-2 rout of Carolina. New York was a team whose whole was greater than the sum of its parts. There’s an intangible quality about this Rangers team that is hard to define but immensely likable.
Prediction
Rangers in six
 
(2) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS vs. (7) BUFFALO SABRES
Regular season series
Philadelphia went 2-1-1, Buffalo went 2-2-0
Key Injuries
Philadelphia RW Ian Laperriere (post-concussion syndrome) is out indefinitely. LW Jody Shelley (fractured orbital bone) is out. D Chris Pronger (fractured right hand) could play; Buffalo G Ryan Miller (upper body injury) could play.
Key matchup
Philadelphia G Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Buffalo’s forward corps. Bobrovsky impressed in his rookie season. Still, he’s being asked to be the man for a franchise that has not won the Stanley Cup since 1975. Bobrovsky’s first task is to stymie the Sabres. Nine of Buffalo’s 11 double-digit goal scorers are forwards.
Leading scorers  Philadelphia: Claude Giroux (25-51-76), Danny Briere (34-34-68), Mike Richards (23-43-66). Buffalo: Thomas Vanek (32-41-73), Drew Stafford (31-21-52), Jason Pominville (22-30-52).
Starting goalies
Philadelphia: Sergei Bobrovsky (28-13-8, 2.59, .910)
Buffalo: Ryan Miller (34-22-8, 2.59, .920)
Outlook
This could be the dark horse series as the first round’s best. Both teams can skate and are solid on the back end. Buffalo has had to play the second half of the remaining season as win-or-die games, while Philly has admitted to looking forward to the playoffs. It’s concerning that the Flyers feel they can turn the metaphorical switch on for the playoffs.
Prediction
Buffalo in six  
(3) BOSTON BRUINS vs. (6) MONTREAL CANADIENS
Regular season series
Boston went 2-3-1, Montreal went 4-2-0
Key Injuries
Boston C Marc Savard (concussion) is out for the season; Montreal D Andrei Markov and D Josh Gorges (knee surgery) are out for the season. LW Max Pacioretty (post-concussion symptoms and fractured vertebrae) will not play against the Bruins.
Key matchup
Boston’s size vs. Montreal’s speed: This series renews the age-old argument about size vs. speed. Boston desires to play grinding games along the boards while Montreal wishes to use its speed and skill.
Leading scorers  Boston: David Krejci (13-49-62), Milan Lucic (30-32-62), Patrice Bergeron (22-35-57). Montreal: Tomas Plekanec (22-35-57), Michael Cammalleri (19-28-47), Brian Gionta (29-17-46).
Starting goalies
Boston: Tim Thomas (35-11-9, 2.00, .940)
Montreal: Carey Price (38-28-6, 2.35, .920)
Outlook
The 33rd playoff meeting between the Original Six franchises should be the best of the playoffs. It promises to be mean, nasty and compelling viewing. In the end, Montreal’s speed will force Boston into taking penalties, and the Canadiens will convert on power plays.
PredictionMontreal in six.  
(4) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. (5) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Regular season series
Pittsburgh went 2-2-0, Tampa Bay went 2-2-0
Key Injuries
Pittsburgh C Sidney Crosby (concussion) and C Evgeni Malkin (torn ACL) are out; Tampa Bay D Randy Jones (high ankle sprain) is out. D Victor Hedman (lower body) should play.
Key matchup
 Pittsburgh G Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Tampa Bay’s offense. Fleury is a Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy candidate for keeping the Penguins in the midst of the playoff race and in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. His reward is to face a team featuring 10 forwards who have double-digit goal totals.
Leading scorers
Pittsburgh: Kris Letang (8-42-50), Chris Kunitz (23-25-48), Tyler Kennedy (20-24-44)
Tampa Bay: Martin St. Louis (31-68-99), Steven Stamkos (45-46-91), Vincent Lecavalier (25-29-54)
Starting goalies
Pittsburgh: Marc-Andre Fleury (36-20-5, 2.32, .920)
Tampa Bay: Dwayne Roloson (18-12-4, 2.56, .910)
Outlook
What could have been an Eastern Conference finals series will have diminished star power because Crosby and Malkin will not play. Jack Adams candidate Dan Bylsma modified the Pens’ system to a more defensive style of play following the losses of Crosby and Malkin. Eventually, not having two of the 10 best players in the world will hurt Pittsburgh. That pain will occur against the explosive Lightning.
Prediction
Tampa Bay in 5
On Twitter: @HockeyPrimeTime and @DenisGorman
Photos by Getty Images
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