Eastern Conference Playoffs Team Capsules

Note: Series-by-series previews will be posted this week…

1) Washington Capitals

Records:

Overall: 48-23-11, 107 pts.
Home: 25-8-8
Away: 23-15-3
Last 10: 7-2-1
Since All-Star break: 21-8-2
Against playoff teams: 20-12-8
Special teams:
Power play: 16th in NHL (17.5%)
Penalty kill: 2nd (85.6%)
Playoff berth clinched:
March 22
Burning question:
Will the Caps flip the postseason script? (March 23)
X-Factor:
Alexander Semin… The dynamic Russian was heavily criticized last spring when he went all seven games against Montreal without notching a goal (two points total). The Caps need Semin to perform like the go-to scorer he’s capable of being.
Team ceiling:
Stanley Cup victory… A new style has people thinking (including yours truly) Bruce Boudreau’s gang is bound to go deep this spring. The jury is still out, but this team looks more equipped than the high-flying versions of years past.
Key injuries:
D Mike Green (concussion, expected to return during first round)
D Dennis Wideman (leg, doubtful for first round)
D Tom Poti (groin, status unknown for playoffs)

2) Philadelphia Flyers

Records:

Overall: 47-23-12, 106 pts.
Home: 22-12-7
Away: 25-11-5
Last 10: 3-4-3
Since All-Star break: 14-11-7
Against playoff teams: 21-14-7
Special teams:
Power play: 19th in NHL (16.6%)
Penalty kill: 15th (82.8%)
Playoff berth clinched:
March 19
Burning question:
Can Philly get back to the Cup final? (March 20)
X-Factor:
Sergei Bobrovsky… Though ‘Bob’ has impressed in his rookie year, how will the 22-year-old react in the playoffs? Goaltending has always been the unknown for the Flyers, and they are hoping Bobrovsky can be solid enough to help the team repeat as conference champs.
Team ceiling:
Stanley Cup victory… They have depth – a lot of it – and a great mix of talent, but didn’t perform to their potential following the All-Star break. If they flip the switch, there’s no doubt that they can return to the Cup final.
Key injuries:
D Chris Pronger (hand, questionable for start of first round)
C Blair Betts (lower body, questionable for start of first round)
D Oskars Bartulis (shoulder, doubtful for playoffs)

3) Boston Bruins

Records:

Overall: 46-25-11, 103 pts.
Home: 22-13-6
Away: 24-12-5
Last 10: 6-3-1
Since All-Star break: 18-10-4
Against playoff teams: 19-17-7
Special teams:
Power play: 20th in NHL (16.2%)
Penalty kill: 16th (82.6%)
Playoff berth clinched:
March 27
Burning question:
Does a better playoff fate await Boston? (March 29)
X-Factor:
David Krejci… Boston went 7-2 with Krejci in the lineup last postseason, but fell apart when he suffered a shoulder injury. The quality two-way pivot quietly put together a great second half.
Team ceiling:
Stanley Cup victory… When they are on, the B’s can beat anybody; this team features a lot of depth and plays well as a team. Look for them to have a chip on their shoulder after last year’s second-round collapse.
Key injuries:
C Marc Savard (concussion, out for remainder of season)

4) Pittsburgh Penguins

Records:
Overall: 49-25-8, 106 pts.
Home: 25-14-2
Away: 24-11-6
Last 10: 8-2-0
Since All-Star break: 18-10-4
Against playoff teams: 21-17-4
Special teams:
Power play: 25th in NHL (15.8%)
Penalty kill: 1st (86.1%)
Playoff berth clinched:
March 26
Burning question:
How much would the return of Crosby help? (March 28)
X-Factor:
Kris Letang… In the first half of the season, Letang was one of the favorites for the Norris Trophy. The All-Star’s production faded down the stretch, but remains a key player on the blueline.
Team ceiling:
Third round… If Sidney Crosby makes an effective return, Pittsburgh can go all the way. But that remains an uncertainty, which limits the Pens’ ability to advance far. Fleury will have to be dynamite between the pipes.
Key injuries:
C Sidney Crosby (concussion, doubtful for first round)
C Evgeni Malkin (knee, out for remainder of season)
F Dustin Jeffrey (knee, out for remainder of season)
F Eric Tangradi (concussion, status unknown for playoffs)
LW Matt Cooke (suspension, eligible to return for second round)

5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Records:

Overall: 46-25-11, 103 pts.

Home: 25-11-5
Away: 21-14-6
Last 10: 7-3-0
Since All-Star break: 15-10-6
Against playoff teams: 21-15-4
Special teams:
Power play: 6th in NHL (20.5%)
Penalty kill: 8th (83.8%)
Playoff berth clinched:
March 31
Burning question:
Are Yzerman's retooled Lightning ready for the postseason? (April 2)
X-Factor:
Dwayne Roloson… ‘Roli’ was acquired by the organization at mid-season for this reason. He has a trip to the Cup final on his resume, and at times doesn’t play like his age (41). That said, he can get rattled fairly easily. Roloson’s temperament will be important for Tampa.
Team ceiling:
Second round… The Bolts have their fair share of firepower up front, but the defense isn’t exactly the fleetest of foot. If that gets exposed, they may not get out of the first round.
Key injuries:
D Victor Hedman (lower body, expected to return during first round)
D Randy Jones (ankle, status unknown for playoffs)

6) Montreal Canadiens

Records:

Overall: 44-30-8, 96 pts.
Home: 24-11-6
Away: 20-19-2
Last 10: 5-4-1
Since All-Star break: 17-12-3
Against playoff teams: 23-14-4
Special teams:
Power play: 7th in NHL (19.7%)
Penalty kill: 7th (84.4%)
Playoff berth clinched:
April 5
Burning question:
How far can Price carry Montreal? (April 6)
X-Factor:
Michael Cammalleri… I think even Cammalleri himself would admit that this season has been a disappointment for him – 19 goals is tied for his lowest total since the 2003/04 season. However, he was clutch last spring for the Cinderella Habs.
Team ceiling:
One-and-done… Unfortunately, I do not see another long run in these Canadiens. Due to injuries, the defense simply isn’t as strong. Carey Price will have to steal a couple games just for them to get to round two.
Key injuries:
C Jeff Halpern (lower body, status unknown for playoffs)
D Josh Gorges (knee, out for remainder of season
D Andrei Markov (knee, out for remainder of season)
LW Max Pacioretty (concussion, status unknown for first round)
D Alexandre Picard (foot, status unknown for playoffs)

7) Buffalo Sabres

Records:

Overall: 43-29-10, 96 pts.

Home: 21-16-4
Away: 22-13-6
Last 10: 8-1-1
Since All-Star break: 20-8-5
Against playoff teams: 20-17-5
Special teams:
Power play: 9th in NHL (19.4%)
Penalty kill: 13th (83.0%)
Playoff berth clinched:
April 8
Burning question:
Does the slipper fit in Buffalo? (April 9)
X-Factor:
Tyler Myers… The towering defenseman and Calder Trophy winner from a year ago is going to have to be at his best for the Sabres to have a chance at getting past the first round. Myers had a sluggish first half, but has improved his play down the stretch.
Team ceiling:
Second round… The renewed optimism within the organization has brought new hope to Buffalo. Can the Sabres piggy-back their world-class goaltender and streaky offense to a first-round upset?
Key injuries:
D Jordan Leopold (hand, doubtful for start of playoffs)
C Derek Roy (quad, not expected to return during first round)
F Jochen Hecht (upper body, status unknown for playoffs)
RW Mike Grier (knee, status unknown for playoffs)
G Patrick Lalime (knee, not expected to play in playoffs)

8) New York Rangers

Records:

Overall: 44-33-5, 93 pts.
Home: 20-17-4
Away: 24-16-1
Last 10: 6-3-1
Since All-Star break: 15-13-2
Against playoff teams: 21-16-3
Special teams:
Power play: 18th in NHL (16.9%)
Penalty kill: 10th (83.7%)
Playoff berth clinched:
April 9
Burning question:
Is a magical run in store for the Rangers? (April 10)
X-Factor:
Marian Gaborik… New York got to the postseason with an average output from Gaborik, but they aren’t going anywhere if he fails to contribute. The skilled sniper went without a goal in the last 10 games.
Team ceiling:
One-and-done… If you’re a Rangers fan, you’ve needed defibrillator over the past two weeks. The goal-scoring is anything but elite, while Henrik Lundqvist simply hasn’t been successful in the playoffs in his career. They’d be lucky to see the second round in my opinion.
Key injuries:
RW Ryan Callahan (leg, will miss at least the next month)
RW Alexander Frolov (knee, out for remainder of season)
G Martin Biron (shoulder, status unknown for playoffs)
LW Derek Boogaard (concussion, not expected to play in playoffs)