These playoffs have had it all: overtimes, game 7s, and emotional off-ice storylines that kept it all in perspective. And now in the Eastern Conference Finals, two of the most storied franchises in hockey meet for what should be a high-flying, exciting series.
When we compiled experts’ predictions for the NHL playoffs, the vast majority picked the President’s Trophy-winning Boston Bruins to make the Stanley Cup Finals. That vast majority did not, as it happens, includes the writers here at Top Bet however, as we predicted Montreal would run the table and lift the Cup. Not that we’re bragging…
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[sc:NHLArticles ]New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens Conference Finals Preview
Series Lines and Odds
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
When: Saturday, May 17, 1PM EST
Game 1 Line: New York Rangers (+105) at Montreal Canadiens (-125); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Series Line: New York Rangers (-105) vs. Montreal Canadiens (-115) – view all NHL series odds
Five Keys to the Eastern Conference Finals
Goaltending
The Rangers and Habs did a lot of things right to make it this far, but when push came to shove, it was their netminders that were the difference makers.
Carey Price plain outplayed Tuuka Rask in the conference semifinals, allowing just one goal in the final two games of the series to lead the Canadiens back from down three games to two. He has also played well against the Rangers historically, going 8-5-1 career against the blue shirts, including a shut out in this season.
Henrik Lundqvist has been outstanding as well, posting a .931 save percentage through two rounds, while facing the second-most shots in these playoffs. Forget everything else: the team who has the superior goaltender in this series will be playing for the Cup in two weeks’ time.
P.K. Subban
The defending Norris Trophy winner as the best defenceman in the NHL has showed why he earned that award last year with one of the best postseason’s by a D-man in recent history. Subban has 12 points and has led the Habs in what has been a deadly counter-attack.
That said, Subban went quiet towards the end of the Bruins series, with one point in Montreal’s last four games against the B’s. He was also held off the score sheet in the three regular season meetings with the Rangers. His ability to ignite the Canadiens’ offense will be critical in solving King Henrik.
Montreal PP vs. New York PK
Subban has been integral on the Habs’ primary offensive weapon: their powerplay. Montreal was 8-for-25 against Boston and will need to continue to capitalize on opportunities against New York. The Rangers, however, might be the one team suited to stop them: they held the Penguins to a meagre 5% success rate on the PP, on just 1 of 20.
Martin St. Louis
The Rangers acquired Martin St. Louis after one of the league’s elder statesman requested a trade midway through the season. Technically their scoring leader as of the day he arrived, St. Louis played well against Pittsburgh and notched key points in the series’ last two games, including an emotional goal scored on Mother’s Day just three days after his mother passed away.
The Schedule
The full schedule for this series has not been released by the NHL yet, with the Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings series still to be decided (you can see our preview of those teams’ Game 7 here). But when it is, it will impact the outcome of this series significantly.
The Rangers were vocal in their disapproval of their Round 2 schedule, which saw them play a gruesome seven games in five days. The Habs have played three fewer games in these playoffs and if the Rangers are forced to play another tight schedule, Montreal may find an edge in their energy if the series stretches on.
Writer’s Prediction – Game 1 & Series
After both teams won their way into the next round in Game 7s, Game 1 will be feel-it-out game that will be well-goaltended on its way under 5.0. Overall, Montreal will have the edge as Subban leads a deep offensive attack to win the series in six.
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