2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview: Conf. Semifinals

Gone are Stanley Cup champions of the past four years (Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston), as well as a two-time Presidents' Trophy winner (Vancouver), a two-time conference finalist (San Jose), and a pair of teams with little playoff history to tell (Florida, Ottawa). Now it's down to the final eight, and only four will advance to conference finals, for the right to earn the Campbell and Prince of Wales trophies. Here are the four second-round matchups, again with a story to tell.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) New York Rangers vs. (7) Washington Capitals

Regular Season: Series tied 2-2

Twice in the past three seasons the Capitals have eliminated the Rangers in the playoffs' first round, winning in seven in '09 and five in '11. They were all set to meet in the first round this year, until the Caps beat the Rangers in the final day to face the Bruins instead. And the Caps shocked the erstwhile champions with a physical, checking defense that is synonymous to the team's coach and franchise legend Dale Hunter. Now they have a chance to dispose another high-caliber opponent in the Rangers, who barely squeaked past the Senators in the first round.

Under Bruce Boudreau, Alex Ovechkin thrived in the free-flowing style of play. However, Hunter has sat him down in crucial stretches, to give way to grittier, physical players. The approach worked as Washington ousted the defending champion Bruins with their defense. Braden Holtby broke out in the Boston series, as he outplayed Tim Thomas. Now he faces another Vezina-worthy vet in Henrik Lundqvist, who will try to erase the Capital curse that eluded him in the past. The line of Carl Hagelin, Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards against Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom will be a good first line matchup, while top defensive roles will be played by defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi against Mike Green and Dennis Wideman. Both teams are also deep beyond the first line, which underscores the fact that both teams use 'we' instead of 'I' in their approach. The Rangers are hoping for redemption, while the Capitals are hungry for a breakthrough.

(5) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (6) New Jersey Devils

Regular Season: Series tied 3-3

The last time Martin Brodeur faced the Flyers in the playoffs, he was outplayed by Brian Boucher, in what should have been a winnable series two years ago. Since then the Flyers had a revolving door of goalies, from Boucher to Sergei Bobrovsky to Michael Leighton. Now comes Ilya Bryzgalov, whose playoff futility with the Coyotes has been well-documented. In this year's playoffs, Bryzgalov wasn't himself in a high-scoring series with Pittsburgh, but stepped up in the Game 6 clincher. With the two teams resuming hostilities in the Stanley Cup race, can the 39-year old Brodeur redeem himself against a fired-up Bryzgalov?

Goalie battles aside, this should be a battle between two teams willing to mix it up physically. The new 'Broad Street Bullies' against the trapping and clogging Devils know how to play with blood. Claude Giroux outplayed both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and now will try to do the same against the Devils' trio of Zach Parise, Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk. If Giroux fails, look for Jaromir Jagr, Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere to do the same. The Flyers also received a boost from their rookies Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Matt Read, and along with Wayne Simmonds and James van Riemsdyk, they will again play key roles in the series. On the other hand, New Jersey will counter with Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique, Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta to do the same. The Devils look to give Brodeur a sweeter ending, while the Flyers look to recapture the magic of 2010 and hope to translate that to a third Stanley Cup.

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings

Regular Season: Los Angeles won 3-1

Defense is their calling card, especially of their goalies. Jonathan Quick is, quick, while the two-headed monster in Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak are an opposing coach's nightmare. The Blues finished second because of their two goalies' impressive performances and their trap-door defense. While the Kings' defense was strong as well, they finished eighth because of poor scoring. Still, they were able to shut down Vancouver's free-flowing offense, and Quick was the reason why they sent the Presidents' Trophy winners home. Now what to do for an encore against the Blues?

Dustin Brown led the Kings' scoring attack in the opening round, even scoring two shorties in Game 2. Again he will play a key role, and will be supported by the likes of Dustin Penner, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll. The Blues' first line of David Perron, T.J. Oshie and David Backes struggled against the Sharks, but they compensated that with key offensive contributions from Andy McDonald, Patrik Berglund and Alex Steen. The Kings' defense corps, led by Rob Scuderi, Drew Doughty, Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell, didn't do too well against the Canucks, and again will be a problem against the Blues' defense crew, led by Alex Pietrangelo, Barrett Jackman, Kevin Shattenkirk and Roman Polak. Both are hungry for their first Stanley Cup, and all eyes will be on the goalie matchup to see which team goes farthest.

(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (4) Nashville Predators

Regular Season: Series tied 2-2

Shane Doan and the Phoenix Coyotes enter uncharted waters, reaching the second round for the first time in the desert. Doan has been through eight playoff series with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, and has not won any until this year, when they best the Blackhawks in six games. Now they face a team that won just their second playoff series, and both are raring to advance to the conference finals for the first time ever.

Age against youth will be the story of the series: The Coyotes' old crew vs. the Predators' young guns. The Predators' youth will be led by Gabriel Bourque, Alexander Radulov, the Kostitsyn siblings Andrei and Sergei, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The Predators' veterans in David Legwand, Paul Gaustad, Hal Gill, Mike Fisher and Martin Erat will also lend a helping hand in giving the youngsters experience. Doan, Ray Whitney, Adrian Aucoin, Radim Vrbata, Daymond Langkow, and Taylor Pyatt will lead the aging Desert Dogs to action, and will be supported by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Mikkel Boedker, Keith Yandle, Martin Hanzal and Antoine Vermette. On goal, Mike Smith facing Pekka Rinne will be an interesting matchup. Rinne is a Vezina candidate this year who shut down the Red Wings' prolific offense the first time around, while Smith broke out free after spending time as backup with the Lightning last year. Both have something to prove, as they look to tow their respective teams to the conference finals for the first time. It is going to be a tough series that is too close to call. 

Preying on Detroit's Octopus

For several years, the Nashville Predators have been used as a measuring stick for the Detroit Red Wings' success. They were eliminated in six games of the 2004 and 2008 playoffs, the latter en route to Detroit's 11th Stanley Cup. However, the script appears to have been reversed in 2012.

Nashville and Detroit met for the third time in the playoffs; however this was the first time that the Predators finished with a better record than the Red Wings. This despite Detroit's record-setting home surge, winning 23 straight games at Joe Louis Arena. Heading into their playoff matchup, Nashville and Detroit split their six-game regular season series. The Predators were brimming with confidence, having just won their first playoff series the year before. The Red Wings are priming for perhaps its final run with this year's group, as aging captain Nicklas Lidstrom's future with the team remains uncertain. Both teams are heading into opposite directions, and it showed why in a five-game battle.

The series showed how much Nashville has grown as a team, while it witnessed how Detroit's old dog couldn't keep up with the younger Predators. Most of Detroit's top players, among them Lidstrom, Todd Bertuzzi, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Dan Cleary, are over 30 years old. Nashville's unit remains relatively young, and still with room to grow. Their top 20-somethings include the Kostitsyn brothers Andrei and Sergei, Alexander Radulov, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and rookie Gabriel Bourque. Nashville's youth was clearly the difference.

Nashville and Detroit split the first two games at Bridgestone Arena, with the team scoring first winning each game. The Predators head into Joe Louis Arena with something to prove, as they were winless in six trips at the Joe in the playoffs. They continued the ongoing trend by scoring first en route to breaking the hex at the Joe in Games 3 and 4. They returned to Bridgestone Arena brimming with confidence, and when Radulov scored the opening goal, the sell-out yellow-clad crowd went into a frenzy. Though Jiri Hudler would tie the game, David Legwand's goal in the second period proved to be the difference, as Nashville finally put away Detroit for the first time in three tries in the playoffs. When the horn sounded, the crowd noise grew louder, the Nashville players celebrated with goalie Pekka Rinne, and coach Barry Trotz applauded his players' effort.

Nashville did what they had to do: be patient, and strike when the opportunity comes. The Detroit players appeared tired while trying in vain to pepper Rinne with flying pucks, and that made the difference in the series. While Rinne had more saves than his opposite number Jimmy Howard, Nashville took advantage of several Howard miscues and slow Detroit skaters en route to winning the series. Lidstrom failed to register a point in the series, and Nashville's work on the defensive end proved to be the difference.

Nashville is currently waiting for its next playoff opponent. As for Detroit, an offseason shakeup is needed, to say the least. 

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Here we go again. 16 teams, 16 victories to capture Lord Stanley's Cup. The Stanley Cup playoffs are upon us. 

Before the opening faceoff gets underway, we preview the eight first-round matchups, each with a story to tell.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(1) New York Rangers vs. (8) Ottawa Senators

Regular Season: Ottawa won 3-1

The Senators slipped to No. 8 on the final day of the regular season, which was a blessing in disguise considering they were 1-5 against their supposed playoff opponents from Boston. Now they figure in a favorable playoff matchup against the Rangers, whom they defeated three of four times. But this is the playoffs, and the Rangers know all too well that it's a different puck game. 

The Senators thrive on offense and speed, while the Rangers play well with a gritty, physical defense. The Senators have their major offensive weapons in Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson. While the Rangers have Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Carl Hagelin leading the forward lines, it is their No.1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist who leads the defense corps. This year, however, Lundqvist has his best offensive cast in his NHL career, a deficient end during his previous four playoff trips. Meanwhile, the Senators need to address their goaltending, which was shuffled between Craig Anderson, Alex Auld and Ben Bishop, neither of whom have the numbers worthy of No. 1 status. In the regular season, the Senators took advantage of Ranger miscues en route to a 3-1 season series win. However, can they pull off the upset, or can the Rangers unleash their dominant form in the best time of the year?

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Washington Capitals

Regular Season: Washington won 3-1

The Washington Capitals clinched a playoff berth on the penultimate game against Florida, and then defeated the Rangers on the final day to take the seventh seed, ensuring a playoff matchup with the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins. The Capitals have a history of regular season success followed by playoff failures. This year, however, the Capitals are the underdogs, and can they relish it? And can Boston finally dominate after spending last season's run playing from behind?

It's Alex Ovechkin against the Bruins. After all, Ovi is the main attraction and the Capitals' anchor. However, he had a poor regular season, and as a result, the Capitals struggled.  Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom won't be 100% entering the playoffs. The goalie situation will also be an issue for Dale Hunter, as both Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth were both hurt and Braden Holtby is unproven. Meanwhile, the Bruins overcame a rough October, then lackluster play throughout February and March to post another division title and the second seed, and they rely more than just one moving piece. From Tyler Seguin to Patrice Bergeron to Brad Marchand to David Krejci, the Bruins have virtually everyone contributing. And Tim Thomas continues to be a human brick wall behind the pipes. Their big concern is Nathan Horton and Adam McQuaid's health, while Tuukka Rask is getting closer to returning from a groin injury. However, the Capitals won three of four from Boston this year despite odds thrown against them. It'll be a clash between Boston's experience against Washington's determination as they face off in the playoffs.

(3) Florida Panthers vs. (6) New Jersey Devils

Regular Season: Series tied 2-2

Old faces meet again. Peter DeBoer took over the Devils after being fired by the Panthers at the end of the 2011 season. John Madden won two Stanley Cups with the Devils, and Scott Clemmensen was Martin Brodeur's backup for several years. And the Panthers' last appearance in the playoffs was bittersweet, getting swept by Brodeur and the Devils en route to their 2000 Stanley Cup title. Now the Panthers are back in the playoffs after 12 years, but can they write a different script this time?

The Panthers are led by Tomas Fleischmann, Stephen Weiss and Kris Versteeg, their three top scorers. The midseason addition of Mikael Samuelsson gave them an additional scoring threat, while Sean Bergenheim, who flourished in last season's playoffs with Tampa Bay, will be relied upon as an insurance policy in case any of his teammates struggled. Both Clemmensen and Jose Theodore played decently behind the net, but they'll face a proven playoff performer in Brodeur, who at 39 may just about to write a final chapter in his NHL career. Among the skaters for the Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk will be the one to watch for, as he looks to rebound from his poor playoff debut in 2007. The Devils will also be led by Patrik Elias, Zach Parise, David Clarkson, Adam Henrique, Dainius Zubrus, and Petr Sykora. The Panthers have the youth, but the Devils have playoff wisdom, and a possible playoff repeat.

(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular Season: Philadelphia won 4-2

Scott Hartnell described this series as a 'bloodbath', and six games of the 2011-12 season wasn't enough. So here they go again, the Battle of Pennsylvania begins anew in a bigger stage that is the Stanley Cup playoffs. There will be bodies flying, coaches trash-talking, and even intense jarring from both fans. Indeed the Flyers and Penguins hate each other. 

Making it more intense are two Flyers who won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins: Max Talbot and Jaromir Jagr. Jagr will undoubtedly receive the most ire from Penguins fans, after spurning them for the Flyers in the offseason. Despite his age, he can still score with the best of them, flourishing alongside Hartnell and Claude Giroux in the Flyers' top line. The Penguins will counter with Sidney Crosby, James Neal, Pascal Dupuis and Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury has been stellar on goal for Pittsburgh, while Philly's Ilya Bryzgalov overcame a slow start to post stellar numbers in March. Both teams seem to be even on paper, which makes for an exciting and brutal series between the two teams.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings

Regular Season: Series tied 2-2

Like the Rangers-Senators series, the Canucks-Kings series will feature a contrast of styles. The difference, however, is that top-seeded Vancouver can score goals in bunches, while Los Angeles relies on a defense-first mentality to win games, anchored by goalie Jonathan Quick.  Vancouver is off to yet another President's Trophy-winning season, but can they write a joyful playoff ending?

With Daniel Sedin still recovering from Duncan Keith's sucker-punch, twin brother Henrik will have to be relied upon to score, a role Daniel usually fulfills. Aside from the Sedins, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows will be the primary goal-scorers for the Canucks. The only issue will be goaltending, as coach Alain Vigneault is still undecided on whether he would start breakout star Cory Schneider or veteran Roberto Luongo, who faltered down the stretch in last year's playoffs. Aside from Quick's stellar play on goal, the offense for the Kings remains its biggest concern, despite the addition of Mike Richards. His former Flyers teammate Jeff Carter has yet to make an impact, after missing the latter part of the season with an injury. Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams remain the leading goal-scorers for the Kings, but if they failed to score regularly against either Luongo or Schneider, whoever will be the main starter, then it will be another 'Quick' exit for the Kings.

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (7) San Jose Sharks

Regular Season: St. Louis won 4-0

Once again, good job Ken Hitchcock, turning a sad-sack team to a playoff contender, with a seemingly unstoppable goalie duo and a suffocating defense that throw opponents off their games. The St. Louis Blues are now an NHL power, enjoying their best season in over a decade. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks underachieved, and even though they made the playoffs in the penultimate playdate, they knew it was a disappointing season for them. However, they have a chance to redeem themselves in the playoffs, against a Blues team that is still green.

The Blues' Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak will anchor the Blues' defense, which led the NHL in GAA. Elliott did his Tim Thomas impression in breaking his single-season save percentage record with .940. On offense, it'll be David Backes, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk and T.J. Oshie leading the way. However, the Sharks' advantage will be experience, as the main line of Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have had tremendous playoff experience. Another major weapon for the Sharks is Logan Couture, who made the 2011-12 season his breakout party. And Antti Niemi is a playoff warrior, having played in more playoff games than Elliott and Halak combined. The Sharks are a battle-tested unit, but can they overcome the odds against St. Louis's goaltending duo?

(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks

Season Series: Phoenix won 3-1

The Phoenix Coyotes won the Pacific Division title on the final day of the season, thus making the playoffs as the third seed. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks overcame a tough February to finish sixth. The Coyotes are in the best position to make it to the second round, and they look at Chicago as a springboard to their breakthrough season.

Indeed, the Coyotes gambled on Mike Smith to replace the ineffective Ilya Bryzgalov, and he has been stellar. Smith finished at the top 10 in GAA, and rose to become one of the NHL's best goalies. The Coyotes only hope that Smith won't wilt like Bryzgalov did the past two trips. The aging duo of Ray Whitney and Shane Doan will again lead the Coyotes offense, and providing much-needed support will be Radim Vrbata, Raffi Torres, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Lauri Korpikoski. Chicago's main issues will be the health of Jonathan Toews, who missed the final two months of the season due to a concussion, as well as their inconsistent goalie duo of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, who has shown Jekyll and Hyde tendencies. The Blackhawks will rely on their high-scoring forwards Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa, as well as veteran defenseman Johnny Oduya. All eyes will be on the Coyotes as they look to win a playoff series for the first time since moving to Phoenix in 1996. 

(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings

Regular Season: Series tied 3-3

For the first time ever, the Nashville Predators finished ahead of the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division. More importantly, they earned the home-ice advantage for this series. The Predators are still learning, but they are maturing. Now what to do for an encore after winning a playoff series last year, a franchise first?

The Predators have leaned upon their main guns David Legwand, Martin Erat, Shea Weber, Mike Fisher, Patric Hornqvist and Sergei Kostitsyn, but the addition of Sergei's brother Andrei and the return of Alexander Radulov from the KHL proved to be crucial as the Predators locked up the fourth seed. Pekka Rinne has become a reliable force behind the pipes, and he proved that after signing the largest contract in the team's history by winning 43 games. The Red Wings are showing their age, however, and despite the NHL's longest home winning streak of 23 games, their below average road play will be tested in the early going. The aging core of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom will again be the key for the Red Wings, while Jimmy Howard will be relied upon behind the pipes. If the top line failed, backup skaters Johan Franzen, Valeri Filppula, Niklas Kronwall, Jiri Hudler and Todd Bertuzzi will be leaned upon for added scoring. The Predators have never beaten the Red Wings in a playoff series, so will this year be a breakthrough for Barry Trotz's troops?