This season has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia Flyers. At one time they were at the top of their division, then later on they went on a ten game losing stretch. They have had myriad of injuries plauge their roster through out the year yet, through it all, they have looked like a playoff team. Because if there is one thing the Flyers don't lack it's heart, they have an abundance of it and they will need it in the post season because my guess is the Flyers will face Pittsburgh in the first round.
Buffalo still have a shot at a playoff berth, however, the Flyers need only two points to keep the Sabres out. Washington, who have left to play Florida and Tampa Bay at home, probably have the easiest remaining schedule and will probably snag third place overall away from Carolina who are on a two-game losing streak. Washington beat Carolina last night and are 9-1-0 in their last ten games and are looking strong after a slow start to the season.
Montreal will end up second and play Ottawa in the first round and eventually go all the way to the Stanley Cup. And I say this despite the fact that the Habs just lost their captain, Saku Koivu, for the season because there are to major factors that favor Montreal. The most important is Carey Price who is in a similar situation to that of Patrick Roy in 1986 and the Canadiens do have a pretty good track record when it comes to rookie goalies. The second reason is the fact that they made no major aquisitions at the trade deadline which, as history shows, is something most previous Cup winners also did not. Another, less fact based reason, is the names on the roster. Whith names like Latendresse, Bouillon, Brisebois, and Lapierre how can not go all the way?
That, along with the fact that they possess the best powerplay record in the NHL, is why I think the Montreal Canadiens will take home the Stanley Cup.
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