2010 Stanley Cup Round 1 - Eastern Conference

I apologize for not having this up sooner, but I've not been feeling well.

Finally tonight we kick off the march to the Stanley Cup. This is what the first round line-ups in the east look like.

The Washington Capitals (1st place) vs Montreal Canadiens (8th place)
These teams have met 4 times in regulation, with each team winning twice.

The Washington Capitals have had a heck of season, scoring 121 points and winning the President's trophy. Still with all that success, many question their goal tending and defense. It was announced a few days ago that Jose Theodore would get the start. Good luck Jose!



Jaroslav Halak had a great year for the Canadiens, practically taking Carey Price's job. He is definitely one of the reasons they made it into the finals.





New Jersey Devils (2nd place) vs Philadelphia Flyers (7th place)
These two Atlantic Division Rivals faced each other 6 times in the regular season, with Philly beating them 5 of those six times!

How do you feel about that, Marty?



The Flyers have had horrific luck in goal this season. They signed Ray Emory, he got hurt. Their back up Boucher took over and struggled. They picked up Michael Leighton from the Carolina Hurricanes and he was great! Then he got hurt. Boucher has been able to be solid most nights since re-taking over. Maybe he knows Philly fans will drag him and his family out of their house and kill them if he doesn't.



Buffalo Sabres(3rd place) vs Boston Bruins(6th place)
These Northeast Division Rivals saw a bit of each other this season. They met 6 times with Boston winning 4 of those matches and Buffalo winning 2.


The Bruins were scary awesome last year. This year they struggled. The team was decimated by injury and the Vezina winning Tim Thomas had a bit of a slump, too. The team battled on though and Tuukka Rask proved to be reliable between the pipes.



The Sabres had a good year, mainly because Miller had a good year. Ryan didn't have a good year, he had a great year. He led his team to the playoffs, won a silver medal and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go home with a Vezina.



Pittsburg Penguins(4th place) vs Ottawa Senators(5th place)
The Sens and Pens have met 4 times this season, with each of them winning twice.

The Pens have continued to do well. They've got most of the same players as the team that won the cup last year.



Ottawa struggled at times during the season, but goal tender Elliot came up big for them.