After a couple of days of yapping back and forth (among the fan bases, not the teams) it is finally time to put up and shut up and let the players do the talking.
The Senators head down the 417 to face the Habs for game 1 tonight, with heavy hearts.
Players entering the playoffs don't need additional motivation to win, but unfortunately the Senators had that reality forced on them with the passing of assistant coach Mark Reeds on the eve of the playoffs after succumbing to his battle with Cancer. The last time Reeds met with the team he told them to "win it all". It was a tough day in Sensland and the press conferences were a tough and emotional watch. They have to try to put that aside for a few hours and focus on the task at hand, and that is beating the Canadiens.
The Senators will welcome back Milan Michalek to the lineup, and he will play alongside Bobby Ryan and Mika Zibanejad, at least to start the game. Michalek was playing really good hockey when he got injured and if he can get back to speed quickly maybe he can help Ryan get off his current skid. Moving Mike Hoffman back to the 4th line is interesting, considering he led the team in goals, but I don't mind the move. He can create on his own and doesn't necessarily need to be in the top 6 to succeed. In fact, most of Hoffman's offense came before he was moved to the top 6 and faced better opposition, and it really gives each of the 4 lines a scoring threat.
Maybe a cause for concern is the fact that Erik Karlsson has missed practice for the last 2 days. Granted, he has played 600 minutes more than any other Senator so the rest is warranted, but you hate to think (at least if you are supporting the Senators, that is) that he might be suffering from an injury.
There has been a lot of debate over the past couple of days about Andrew Hammond and his ability to withstand the pressure and continue his solid play (or at least my statement that at this point in time the goaltending matchup is even). Well, remember a guy named Tim Thomas? He was drafted 217th overall (there are not even that many players drafted now), bounced around the minors and Europe. He was 28 before he finally got a chance to play in the NHL. It worked out ok for him and the Bruins, to the tune of 2 Vezinas, a Conn Smythe and a Stanley Cup. I am not saying Hammond is Thomas, but the precedent is there. Until Hammond gives reason to think otherwise, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Hammond got here by default but maybe, just maybe, like Thomas, all he needed was an opportunity.
On the other side, all eyes will be on Max Pacioretty to see if he gets clearance to play in the opener. He is currently doubtful, but it is the playoffs, and cards are kept pretty close to the vest. Sure, the Habs can win without him, but his presence even in a limited role will affect how the Senators have to defend, because despite the fact that Andrew Hammond has had his number on breakaways so far this season, you can't expect that roll to continue to infinity. Pacioretty had more than 1/3 (4 of 11) of Montreal's goals in the season series. With 6 points he doubled the next productive Hab, Andrei Markov (3 points). No other Canadiens player lit the lamp more than once in the season series.
All in all, this promises to be a series that should equal or even surpass the 2013 tilt that is still fresh in everyone's minds, with the Senators wanting a repeat and the Habs wanting the opposite outcome.
I stand by my earlier prediction of Senators in 6 games.
Now, just for the record, here are my predictions for the rest of the first round:
NYR - PIT
The Pens are limping into the post-season, but they have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They also have Marc-Andre Fleury. So anything can happen with the Penguins. But with Kris Letang, Olli Maatta and Christian Ehrhoff all on the sidelines (Ehrhoff is a question mark) the Pens defense is mighty thin. On the other side, Henrik Lundqvist has had just enough time following his throat injury to get back into game shape and the Rangers have one of the deepest blue lines in the league. They have a nice mix of veterans and youth, and went to the finals last season with this group intact.
RANGERS in 5
TBL - DET
Ben Bishop has been overshadowed by the seasons of the likes of Price, Hammond, Dubnyk and Rinne, but he set a career high in wins with 40 and he has the league's most potent offense playing in front of him. His personal numbers aren't to the level of Rinne and Price over the season, and he will have to step his game up a level. The Lightning can score, and although the goals are harder to come by in the post-season, they are a skilled group. From the Detroit standpoint, goaltending is the big question mark, as Petr Mrazek will get the start in game 1, forcing Jimmy Howard to the bench. The Red Wings have a mix of crafty vets (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) and exciting youth (Nyquist and Tatar) but they have had their issues down the stretch and almost ended their 23 year playoff streak.
BOLTS in 5
WSH - NYI
These teams are a pretty close matchup and will be the tightest of the Eastern Conference series. They had to go to the third tie-breaker to determine home ice advantage, and that went to the Caps. Washington has also been playing better hockey heading into the playoffs and they will carry that momentum a little bit longer.
CAPS in 7
ANH - WPG
The Jets have become the sexy pick for underdog that can make a deep run. Comparisons to the Kings of 2010 are out there, but the Jets certainly don't have Jonathan Quick. Much like the Habs, I am sure the Ducks are looking at the predictions and feeling disrespected. Both teams have a solid young defense core but I think the duo of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will be difference makers, and Andersen outduels Pavelic.
DUCKS in 6
STL - MIN
As much as Andrew Hammond has been the story, Devan Dubnyk has been equally as impressive. The Blues were so confident in their goaltending this season that they gave 85 year old Martin Brodeur a chance. The Blues are smarting over a couple of consecutive first round playoff losses and they seem built for the post-season this time around. If you look man for man down the lineup, the slight edge has to go to the Blues, the question is whether Brian Elliott or Jake Allen can step up in a 7 game series.
BLUES in 7
CHI - NSH
If Patrick Kane does indeed come back at anywhere near full strength for this series, it is a game changer. The Hawks have been without Kane since late February, at which time Kane was right among the league leaders in scoring. Nashville plays a stifling defense and has Pekka Rinne, and have home ice advantage. Chicago has Jonathan Toews. Kane is the difference.
HAWKS in (EDIT) 6
CGY - VAN
The other all-Canadian matchup is a very interesting one. One team is the upstart surprise and the other is the aging veteran core that might be facing their last chance in this window. Vancouver played steady all season and sort of slid under the radar. However, they have big questions in goal and are likely to start Eddie Lack over Ryan Miller. The Flames are about 2 years ahead of the expected schedule, but have used a team game to get to the dance. You have to credit Bob Hartely and what he has done after they lost their captain and leading scorer, defenseman Mark Giordano. The Sedin twins have chemistry with Radim Vrbata, but without Ryan Kesler as the support they might not be as deep as they once were.
FLAMES in 7
ENJOY THE PLAYOFFS, WHOEVER YOU ARE CHEERING FOR!