With all due respeck to the Devils, they aren't as deep or as scary as the leafs. Their goaltending is a notch above Philadelphia and that's not saying a lot. Kinkaid has done very well for them down the stretch, but playoffs are a different animal and behind him, Schneider has been mediocre. Their goaltending isn't amazing. Their defense isn't amazing either. They play a very structured and sound game due to coaching and players work ethics. They spread the scoring Hall being an offensive juggernaut has carried them a long ways this year. Without him registering a point in nearly every game for over a quarter of the season, they aren't at 97 points. Not trying to diminish their achievement, but they would have been the preferable opponent even if they swept us in the regular season. They have a lot of guys with zero playoff experience, and in a whole, an inferior team.
I don't know how Boston under Cassidy misses this opportunity tomorrow unless the Panthers play the game of their lives. I can imagine they don't want Chara to play against the leafs one series and players like Gourde and Point in another. If they win tomorrow, they catch a lucky break by facing one of the two fastest teams in the east rather than potentially facing both.
The damage done by the devils, I feel, personally, will be a lot less than from the Leafs. Babcock with a much better team than we faced him a few years ago worries me. Not because Toronto is better than us, but because Babcock is better than Cooper. This can be a turning point. Probably my biggest concern, ahead of Vasy struggling and our defense.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh should make for a grueling matchup. Regardless if it ends in 4 or 5 games, I imagine it will not be an easy one. I could see Columbus making life difficult for Washington if nothing else but it will probably set up a Washington and Pittsburgh 2nd round - again.
Gotta hope for a Panthers win tomorrow.
#ref gonna ref
