PLAYOFFS!

So the Eastern Playoff crop has been set and now all that's left is the little wiggle room to determine the final standings. The main things is, only 3 of the 5 Canadian teams remaining are left to vie for the Cup. Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary are Canada's group of teams trying to win it and unfortunately the last two may not last long enough. Calgary has been playing with a short roster due to injuries and going into the playoffs under those circumstances might result in a tired team. Many have thought that Kiprusoff may be burning out from the heavy workload he's gotten this season and a tired goalie going into the post season might result in an early exit. The lack of production from Cammalleri is also goaless is seven games. Some of Calgary's players are simply not going into the post season hot. Now optimists might say that this is good. They go in and they break out of their slump in round one and ride their momentum all the way. Others will say that this is a recipe for a quick exit.
Montreal has also been hitting a rough patch and on a slide. They've essentially backed into their playoff berth out of what many will say is a lot of luck. In the last few games, it seems like every loss they take was matched with a loss by the Panthers. Going to overtime against Boston and losing wasn't a winners way of gettting into post season. The miraculous return of Mathieu Schneider was one thing but missing Markov might be a detriment. Losing your leading scorer is a big problem for any team and Montreal is no different. With Boston or Washington being their two potential opponents, Montreal is in tough. Boston has a very strong team. They have two very offensive defenceman in Wideman and Chara. They're big up front with some very skilled players who will have no problem putting the puck into the net and roughing up the Habs. Washington may have their goaltending to worry about bu Jose Theodore looked like hewas salvaging his career at the end of last season. if he can find that magic once again he might just backstop Washington pretty deep. With Offensive heavy hitters in Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom and Green, the Capitals have the potential of simply outscoring their opponents if they need to. And ovechkin's mean streak and hitting game is the exact type of game style any team wants from their players.
Vancouver's goaltending has shown it's shaping into form. Luongo is heating up as he goes into the post season and his injury might have been the rest he needs. The one thing that hangs is Mats Sundin. Will he return the form as the centre Vancouver was hoping for or will he continue on his mediocre pace? The team is hoping the big forward can show the physical strength and offensive prowess to help lead them deep into the playoffs. If Vancouver maintains their division lead, they'll likely play the Blue Jackets who will enter the post season for the first time. If Mason can continue his strong play, it'll be a great goaltending duel between the two teams.