Sabres Fans Guide To The Eastern Conference Playoffs

April 8, 2008   ·   Brian Sanborn   ·   Jump to comments

The first article of the week for Sabres fans provided some ‘fond memories’ for all of us to cherish as we deal with the no playoffs, on the golf course early off-season.  As I was driving to work this morning, I realized that article was not enough to get us through these troubling times, why not a Sabres Fans Guide to the 1^st round of the 2008 Eastern Conference NHL Playoffs?  That is why I am here fellow Sabres fans, to provide the best services for us all to get through our misery together, day by day!

Included in this Sabres Fans Guide to the 2008 Eastern Conference NHL Playoffs, I will include some ‘Bold Predictions’, so you can use these to bet the other way in Las Vegas to make oodles of cash!

Montreal Canadiens (1) vs. Boston Bruins (8) 

How A Sabres Fan Could View This Series:  For a Sabres fan and rooting interest, this is similar to either hoping for a tooth extraction or a root canal when arriving at the dentist.  Despite the fact that these two stories franchises have been though rough times over the past several years, both have equally tormented Sabres fans throughout the “Hair Bands Singing Ballads” era of our society.  Plus, the images of Habs Head Coach Guy Carbonneau from the 80’s and early 90’s killing the Sabres over the year still is in my mind somewhere.

Who I will root for: With greater being consider a bad thing: Visions of Carbonneau and the fact that Guy was on the 1999 Stars > Cam Neely and Ray Bourque sending the Sabres home in the 80’s. Considering the result of this equation: ‘Go” Bruins 

Bold Prediction: It is funny, but as I was driving home the other day discussing this series with kovy, I said “Why do I like the Ruins to win this series?” Now that I begin to analyze this series further, it is almost impossible to to go against the Habs.  Montreal has too much on defense, where it holds a decisive advantage against Boston.  Ruins coach Claude Julien and the Bruins will hang tough, but Montreal is #1 on the Powerplay and the Bruins are 28^th, so that does not bold well for the B’s. Ultimately Boston will fall prey to legendary goalie Cary Price, who already has been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame according to Habs lovers.  Habs in 5.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (7) 

How A Sabres Fan Could View This Series:  If a Sabres fan struggles with this one, I have to call their allegiance to the Buffalo Sabres in question.  Root for the Senators, who killed the dream last season?  Never!  Although the idea of rooting against Sidney Crosby intrigues me a bit, as a media lovefest for any player can change a fan’s tune overnight.

Who I Will Root For: I cannot resist the urge to watch the annual choke job of the Ottawa Senators, I always enjoy great theatre! But I will not be sporting any Penguins pom-poms I can tell you that much.

Bold Prediction: Ottawa is giving us no reason to believe they can win this series.  Knowing how unpredictable the Sens can be at times, now that everyone is down on them, watch them run the table and win that elusive Stanley Cup.  Evengi Malkin, Sidney Crosby…on 2^nd thought….Penguins in 5.

Washington Capitals (3) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (6) 

How A Sabres Fan Could View This Series:  The only negative feelings I have towards the Caps is 1998 and the visions of Joe Juneau, Game 6 at HSBC, Eastern Conference Final, and former President Bill Clinton in person cheering on the Caps and against Buffalo, much like he did when sitting with Jerry Jones for the Dallas / Buffalo Super Bowls.  Negative feelings against the Flyers? Let me count the ways…$8 million dollar man Daniel Briere, the fans, 5 playoff series over the last 15 years, the fans…..

Who I Will Root For:  I will root for the great Alexander Ovechkin, the “Greatest Show on Ice” in sports today 

Bold Prediction: My heart tells me the Capitals, but my mind is telling me otherwise.  The Flyers possess more balance on offense, and should be able to get their share of goals past Caps netminder Cristobal Huet.  But the fact that Flyers goalie Martin Biron has never won a playoff series, this prediction is shaky.  Flyers in 7.

And now for the one most here are waiting for…..drumroll……..insert a Chico Resch-isim….

New Jersey Devils (4) vs. New York Rangers (5) 

How A Sabres Fan Could View This Series:  One statement can sum it up: Chris Drury has signed with the New York Rangers…oh the horror!  Drury signs with the team that he helped defeat in the 2^nd round the previous season.  Sean Avery can make anyone turn against him…The Devils? Still some lingering thoughts about some Devils fans hatred of Dominik Hasek and the ‘jealousy’ of some of the Veniza Trophies they feel Dom did not deserve, but that was a long time ago. 

Who I Will Root For:  I have a set of close fans and family who are big time Rangers fans, and have another set of friends that are Devils fans, so I will sit back, and enjoy the tension and rage these two fan bases will feel for each other for the next 10-14 days 

Bold Prediction:  Yes, the Devils did beat the Rangers for the first time this season on Sunday, but the fact the Rangers came back from 2-0 down to tie the game will ensure this does not take the confidence away from the Rangers going into the post season 

The goalies (Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundquivst) are great and watching them duel will be worth the price of admission in itself. The defensive units are almost a wash, but I am going to give the Rangers the edge in this series because of the forwards and the experience they bring to the table.  The Rangers have more depth, and overlooked players like Nigel Dawes might be the key in this series …Rangers in 6.