The Eastern Conference features seven returning playoff teams and a few rematches from last year's post-season. Boston and Montreal face off against each other once again, but their rankings are inverted this year, with Boston the top-rated Eastern team, looking to avenge their seven-game loss to the Habs. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia met in a battle for Pennsylvania in last year's Conference Final and the four-one series loss is still fresh in the Flyers' minds. Despite a late season rally, the Senators couldn't return to the dance this year, and were replaced by an impressive Carolina squad.

Boston (1) – Montreal (8)
Washington (2) – Rangers (7)
New Jersey (3) – Carolina (6)
Pittsburgh (4) – Philadelphia (5)


Chances are there will be at least one upset in the opening round. Last year the fifth-seeded Rangers and sixth-seeded Flyers took down higher ranked opponents in the first round and the eighth seeded Bruins took top-ranked Montreal to seven games before bowing out.

Here is the link for the schedule for the first round of the playoffs.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=418004

Be very careful when looking at line combinations, as they can change shift-to-shift, never mind period-to-period or game-to-game.

BOSTON

P.J. Axelsson – Marc Savard – Phil Kessel
Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Michael Ryder
Mark Recchi – Patrice Bergeron – Chuck Kobasew
Shawn Thornton – Stephane Yelle – Blake Wheeler

Zdeno Chara – Aaron Ward
Dennis Wideman – Andrew Ference
Mark Stuart – Matt Hunwick

Tim Thomas
Manny Fernandez

WHO'S HOT

Tim Thomas has six straight wins going into the post-season, but the battler was hot all year with a 36-11-7 record, .933 save percentage and a 2.10 GAA. With one series under his belt, Thomas has some post-season experience, which will help him tremendously this time around. Phil Kessel has scored nine goals and registered 12 points in the past eight games, and will be relied upon to deliver the goods on Marc Savard's line. Savard, by the way, tied for ninth in league scoring with 88 points and may be the most underrated player in the game. He is exceptional on the power play, which is even more important in the post-season.

WHO'S NOT

Michael Ryder scored only one goal in the last eight games, and is a notoriously streaky scorer. David Krejci has one point in the past five games and only one goal in the past 16. Krejci hit a wall around the 60-game mark and has been plagued by inconsistency since then. The key to Boston's success this season has been their depth, which will be tested in the playoffs.


Notes

Captain Zdeno Chara didn't play during the Bruins' final two games due to a leg injury, but the Bruins were merely being cautious with the big man. He'll be back in a big way when the first puck drops. Defensive partner Andrew Ference missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury and is more of a question mark to begin the series. Patrice Bergeron missed the final two games with a bruised foot after blocking a shot, but, again, the Bruins were merely being cautious heading into the final weekend, and the center should be good to go. P.J. Axelsson missed the past four games with an undisclosed injury and is also questionable for the playoff opener. Marco Sturm is done for the season after knee surgery.

Prediction
The Bruins will dismantle the Canadiens in five games.


WASHINGTON
Alexander Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Viktor Kozlov
Brooks Laich – Sergei Fedorov – Alexander Semin
Tomas Fleischmann – Michael Nylander – Eric Fehr
Donald Brashear – Boyd Gordon – Matt Bradley
David Steckel

Mike Green – Shaone Morrisonn
Tom Poti – John Erskine
Jeff Schultz – Milan Jurcina
Brian Pothier

Jose Theodore
Simeon Varlamov
Brent Johnson

WHO'S HOT
Alexander Ovechkin is always hot – just ask his stick, whose flames were fanned by the sniper in a controversial scoring celebration. The Russian once again led the league in goals with 56 and finished second in points with 110. He is looking to break into the second round and beyond this season. Brooks Laich has five goals and 12 points over the past eight games. He finished with 23 goals and 53 points on the season and will be counted on to deliver the ugly goals and dirty work in front of the net that other Caps cannot.

WHO'S NOT
Mike Green, one of the best offensive defensemen to grace the NHL in years, scored goal and registered three points in the past five games, which are decent numbers, except that they all came in one game. He will be fine from a production standpoint, but is prone to streaks. Michael Nylander has shown flashes of breaking out recently, but has had a dismal season overall with nine goals and 33 points in 72 games. He just isn't the same player he used to be.

Notes
Defenseman Tom Poti missed the last three games with a groin injury and is questionable for game one. Captain Chris Clark is out for the first round due to a surgically repaired wrist, but is taking shots and could be back by the second round.

Prediction
Washington will take care of the Rangers in six games.

NEW JERSEY
Zach Parise – Travis Zajac – Jamie Langenbruner
Patrik Elias – Dainius Zubrus – Brian Gionta
Jay Pandolfo – John Madden – Brendan Shanahan
Mike Rupp – Brian Rolston – David Clarkson
Rod Pelley – Bobby Holik – Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond

Paul Marin – Bryce Salvador
Johnny Oduya – Colin White
Mike Mottau – Niclas Havelid
Andy Greene – Jay Leach

Martin Brodeur
Scott Clemmensen


WHO'S HOT
Zach Parise made the leap from good player to gamebreaker this season after recording 45 goals and 94 points in 82 games. Patrik Elias rebounded with 31 goals and 78 points in 77 games, and, perhaps more importantly, found his way out of coach Brent Sutter's doghouse.

WHO'S NOT
Unfortunately, many Devils reside in the ice-cold category. Brian Rolston has scored only one goal in the last 14 games, while John Madden has failed to register a point in 15 games. Travis Zajac has gone 13 games without a goal and Brendan Shanahan scored only two goals in the past 20 games. These players have to turn their game around right now if Jersey has any hope against Carolina.

Notes
Backup goalie Kevin Weekes will likely be out until the second round with a knee injury. Scott Clemmensen will be the backup, but it doesn't matter, as Martin Brodeur will play every single minute for the Devils in the post-season.

Speaking of Brodeur, he helped end New Jersey's late season slump by winning four of his last five starts. Veteran Bobby Holik looks like he'll be the odd man out when the puck drops as a healthy scratch.

Prediction
Carolina will eke by the Devils in seven games.

PITTSBURGH
Ruslan Fedotenko – Evgeni Malkin – Petr Sykora
Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Bill Guerin
Matt Cooke – Jordan Staal – Tyler Kennedy
Pascal Dupuis – Max Talbot – Eric Godard
Miroslav Satan – Craig Adams

Sergei Gonchar – Kris Letang
Brooks Orpik – Rob Scuderi
Hal Gill – Mark Eaton
Philippe Boucher

Marc-Andre Fleury
Mathieu Garon

WHO'S HOT
The Penguins as a team are red hot. After sleepwalking through most of the season, Pittsburgh didn't wake up until coach Michel Therrien was fired in mid February. Evgeni Malkin basically led the league in scoring the entire season and finished first with 113 points while Sidney Crosby came on strong with 32 points in the final 17 games. Ruslan Fedotenko recorded three goals and 10 points in the past 10 games and is proving to be a perfect complement to Malkin on the top line.

WHO'S NOT
Petr Sykora, Malkin's other winger, has registered one point, a goal, over the past 11 games. He is a natural goal scorer and is paid to do just that. He must turn his game around. Bill Guerin has scored only two goals and zero assists in the past nine games, despite flanking Crosby at even strength.

Notes
Mike Zigomanis is the only Penguin on injured reserve. He is recovering from shoulder surgery, but hopes to begin skating shortly and may return to the lineup if the Pens make a big run.

This time last year, many people had Marc-Andre Fleury as a big question mark in net. Pundits acknowledged his talent, but weren't sold on his big game resume. But after a successful run to the finals and a two straight solid stretch drives, he has proven to be a pressure goalie and is often a difference-maker in tight games.

Prediction
The Penguins will squeak past Philadelphia in a hard-fought seven game series.

PHILADELPHIA
Scott Hartnell – Jeff Carter – Joffrey Lupul
Simon Gagne – Mike Richards – Mike Knuble
Danny Briere – Claude Giroux – Arron Asham
Dan Carcillo – Jared Ross – Darroll Powe
Riley Cote

Kimmo Timonen – Braydon Coburn
Matt Carle – Randy Jones
Andrew Alberts – Ryan Parent
Luca Sbisa

Martin Biron
Antero Niittymaki

WHO'S HOT
Daniel Briere is rounding into form with two goals and four points in the past three games. Jeff Carter has five goals and eight points in the last six games and truly broke out this year with 46 goals and 84 points in 82 games.

WHO'S NOT
Daniel Carcillo hasn't scored since January 20, and has not scored in 20 games since coming to Philadelphia at the trade deadline. While he does provide tenacity and oodles of grit, he will have to tame his penchant for penalties or will otherwise be watching from the press box. Scott Hartnell has scored only one goal over the past eight games while defender Kimmo Timonen hasn't scored a goal in the past 52 games. These guys must turn their games around if they hope to keep up with the high-flying Penguins.

Notes
Captain Mike Richards will be handed the task of shutting down Sidney Crosby while Jeff Carter will pit his big body against the lanky Evgeni Malkin. It will be power versus power in the Battle of Pennsylvania. Defenseman Ryan Parent missed the last two games with a groin injury, but is expected to play in the series opener. Riley Cote is done for the season after undergoing finger surgery last week.


CAROLINA
Erik Cole – Eric Staal – Tuomo Ruutu
Ray Whitney – Matt Cullen – Chad LaRose
Sergei Samsonov – Rod Brind'Amour – Scott Walker
Tim Conboy – Jussi Jokinen – Patrick Eaves
Dwight Helminen – Brandon Sutter – Zach Boychuk

Dennis Seidenberg – Tim Gleason
Niclas Wallin – Joni Pitkanen
Joe Corvo – Anton Babchuk

Cam Ward
Michael Leighton

WHO'S HOT
Eric Staal had a stellar second half of the season to finish with 40 goals and 75 points. Ray Whitney led Carolina in scoring with 24 goals and 77 points in 82 games, and is sublime on the power play as well as on the second line. Erik Cole is also hot, despite scoring only two goals in 17 games since coming back to Carolina at the trade deadline because of his 15 assists and unquestioned chemistry with linemate Staal. His speed and tenacity will be even more important in the playoffs.

Rod Brind'Amour struggled most of the season but then excelled when it mattered, collecting eight goals and 20 points in the final 18 games. He will be counted on to shut down Zach Parise in the first round.

WHO'S NOT
Scott Walker has scored only one point, a goal, since returning from post-concussion symptoms five games ago. Sergei Samsonov has only two points over the past six games. Walker and Samsonov, however, have formed a solid third line alongside Brind'Amour, who won't be counted on to produce all the time, but will chip in with the odd goal.

Notes
Matt Cullen hasn't played since March 21 due to a foot injury, but is practicing with the team and has been deemed healthy for the playoffs. His presence up the gut will give Carolina three legitimate scoring lines, revealing Carolina's true strength: depth.

Perhaps the best thing any team can have going for it at this point is its health – and Carolina will field a full squad to start the playoffs.


NEW YORK RANGERS
Sean Avery – Scott Gomez – Nik Antropov
Markus Naslund – Brandon Dubinsky – Ryan Callahan
Fredrik Sjostrom – Lauri Korpikoski – Nikolai Zherdev
Aaron Voros – Blair Betts – Colton Orr

Michal Rozsival – Wade Redden
Marc Staal – Dan Girardi
Paul Mara – Derek Morris

Henrik Lundqvist
Stephen Valiquette

WHO'S HOT
Henrik Lundqvist is always hot – compared to his inconsistent teammates. The King set a career high with 38 wins and has been the Rangers best player since arriving in the Big Apple in 2005. Even with a .916 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA this year, he will have to produce better numbers in order to give the Rangers a chance against the high-powered Washington Capitals.

WHO'S NOT
Nikolai Zherdev has scored only one point in the past six games and is languishing on the third line after almost immediately jumping into new coach John Tortorella's doghouse. Defender Wade Redden has registered only one point in eight games and just three goals and 26 points on the season. Redden is no longer quarterbacking the top power-play and will not be called upon to stop Alexander Ovechkin in round one. That impossible task falls to youngster Marc Staal and Daniel Girardi.

Notes
Captain Chris Drury is questionable for the playoff opener. He has proven time and again to be an impressive post-season player and his loss would be a big blow to the Rangers.

MONTREAL
Alex Tanguay – Saku Koivu – Alexei Kovalev
Andrei Kostitsyn – Tomas Plekanec – Matt D'Agostini
Guillaume Latendresse – Maxim Lapierre – Tom Kostopoulos
Chris Higgins – Glen Metropolit – Georges Laraque
Greg Stewart – Sergei Kostitsyn

Mike Komisarek – Josh Gorges
Mathieu Schneider – Roman Hamrlik
Mathieu Dandenault– Yannick Weber
Patrice Brisebois

Carey Price
Jaroslav Halak

WHO'S HOT
Alexei Kovalev has scored nine goals and registered 16 points over the past 10 games and virtually willed the Canadiens into the post-season. The Habs have stacked their offensive stars on one line with Kovalev, Alex Tanguay and Saku Koivu, and their chemistry has been unmistakable. It is critical they keep up this pace against a deep Bruin team.

WHO'S NOT
Andrei Kostitsyn has registered only one point, an assist, in the past 11 games while Tomas Plekanec has not recorded a point over the past eight. Secondary scoring, once considered a strong suit in Montreal, has dried up like the Sahara desert. While Carey Price isn't exactly cold, he certainly isn't hot either. It has been a tough year for the sophomore goalie who many people thought was the second coming of Patrick Roy. Those comparisons seem foolhardy now. Price still has a huge upside, but is struggling with consistency like many other young netminders around the league. Which Price will show up in the first round?

Notes
Andrei Markov remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury and no one knows when he'll return. Prior to his suspected knee injury he was leading the team in scoring with 64 points and was the man who started the offense back in the defensive zone. The Canadiens began misfiring when big center Robert Lang went down with a torn Achilles tendon in early February and is about two-to-four weeks from returning. Sergei Kostitsyn is sidelined with an apparent concussion and is out indefinitely.