The Stanley Cup playoffs will have a different look but the first two rounds will have a similar feel for Washington Capitals fans. Despite no Metropolitan Division this season due to COVID-19 and a completely new divisional alignment, the foes the Caps could see in at least the first two rounds are very familiar.
The Caps secured the second seed in the MassMutual East Division or second place. They will play the third seeded Boston Bruins. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the division winners, ending the Caps streak of five consecutive division titles. They will play the fourth seeded New York Islanders.
Let’s take a look at each playoff matchup:
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders
A lot has changed for both of these teams since the New York Islanders swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round in 2019. The Penguins had to overcome injuries and turnover in their front office and give them credit, they persevered to win the MassMutual East.
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The Penguins will be counting on Sidney Crosby, a possible return from injury for Evgeny Malkin as well as trade deadline acquisition Jeff Carter.
The Islanders had to overcome injury issues of their own. After their captain Anders Lee suffered a season ending injury to his knee, the Islanders acquired forwards Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac.
Prediction: Penguins in six
Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins
For the first time since 2012, the Washington Capitals will take on the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. If 2012 was any indication, expect a physical, intense and stressful series between the two teams once again. This time Zdeno Chara is on our side and he will be facing his former club.
Chara was the longest tenured captain in the NHL when he was with the Bruins, who helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final three times and ultimately lifting the ultimate prize once. Chara played in 1,023 games with the Bruins recording 481 points (148 goals, 333 assists) with Boston while recording 10 points (two goals, eight assists) this season with the Caps.
One thing the Bruins have that’s going for them is they played better against the Caps lately after the other side dominated them for years. Entering the season, they lost 17 of 19 regular season games but this season went 4-2-2 against the Caps.
But come Saturday night it’s the playoffs and you can throw all those past records out the window. Puck drops for Game 1 on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. Prediction: Caps in seven.