1 New York Rangers vs. 8 Ottawa Senators
Prediction: Rangers in 6
Actual: Rangers in 7
The Ugly: I did say in my prediction column the Rangers weren't going to make it easy and the certainly accomplished that task. The Rangers' Chris Kreider proved to the world he can play with the big boys and was the difference Game 6 & Game 7. The Sens are left wondering if their captain is going to come back for one more year but the future elsewhere is very bright in Ottawa.
2 Boston Bruins vs. 7 Washington Capitals
Prediction: Bruins in 6
Actual: Capitals in 7
The Ugly: Whiffed badly on this prediction. Braden Holtby was the single reason why the Caps are advancing as he was able to outduel Tim Thomas at the other end of the ice. Disappointing end to the season for the defending Cup champs but all the pieces for another run are still there.
3 Florida Panthers vs. 6 New Jersey Devils
Prediction: Devils in 5
Actual: Devils in 7
The Ugly: Devils were quite fortunate to move on as they tried hard to gift-wrap the series to the Panthers. Goaltending wound up being the difference in the end. Florida needs to find a goaltender badly if they want to compete in the near future.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5 Philadelphia Flyers
Prediction: Penguins in 7
Actual: Flyers in 6
The Ugly: When I had wrote that Marc Andre Fleury was nothing special in the regular season, I didn't expect Fleury to let puck after puck go by him repeatedly for the first 3 games of the series. A 4.63 GA and a save percentage of .834 will not win you many playoff games. Fleury finally showed up in Game 5 but the effort was too little too late. Bryzgalov was not great either at the other end either but it was the Flyers special teams that was the difference. 12 power play goals and 3 shorthanded goals in 6 games.
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