SB Nation Boston - NHL Playoffs: Matchups Set, With Bruins Hosting Canadiens In First Roundhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2011-04-11T12:46:13-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18544982011-04-11T12:46:13-04:002011-04-11T12:46:13-04:00NHL Playoff Bracket 2011: Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule Finalized
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<p>Throw away your razors and start growing those beards: the schedule for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2011/4/10/2102620/nhl-playoff-schedule-bracket-tree-2011" target="_blank">2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs</a> is set, with with five of the eight series dropping the puck Wednesday night, led by Game 1 between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>. </p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a>, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, open their series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> Thursday night, at 7 p.m., in Boston.</p>
<p>Here's the complete schedule for the 2011 NHL Playoffs. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the higher-seeded team playing at home in Games 1-2 and, if necessary, 5 and 7. The pairings are re-seeded after the first round. </p>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><i><b>EASTERN CONFERENCE: </b></i></p>
<p><b>No. 1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> vs. No. 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7:30 p.m. <br>Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 3: Sun., April 17 at 3 p.m.<br>Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7 p.m. <br>Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 3 p.m. <br>Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD</p>
<p><b>No. 2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> vs. No. 7 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Thu., April 14 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 5 p.m.<br>Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at 3 p.m.<br>Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD</p>
<p><b>No. 3 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Montreal Canadiens</b></p>
<p><b>Game 1: Thurs., April 14 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 4: Thurs., April 21 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Tues., April 26 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD</b></p>
<p><b>No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning</b></p>
<p>Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7:30 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at TBD<br>Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD</p>
<p><i><b>WESTERN CONFERENCE: </b></i></p>
<p><b>No. 1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a> vs. No. 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 3: Sun., April 17 at 8 p.m.<br>Game 4: Tues., April 19 at 8 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Thurs., April 21 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at 8 p.m.<br>Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD</p>
<p><b>No. 2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">San Jose Sharks</a> vs. No. 7 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Thurs., April 14 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 3: Tues., April 19 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 4: Thurs., April 21 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD</p>
<p><b>No. 3 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a> vs. No. 6 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes">Phoenix Coyotes</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 1 p.m.<br>Game 3: Mon., April 17 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 7 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD</p>
<p><b>No. 4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Ducks</a> vs. No. 5 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a></b></p>
<p>Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 10:30 p.m.<br>Game 3: Sun., April 17 at TBD<br>Game 4: Wed., April 20 at TBD<br>Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 10 p.m.<br>Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at TBD<br>Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-bruins/2011/4/11/2104205/nhl-playoff-bracket-2011-scheduleRyan Hudson2011-04-10T18:27:18-04:002011-04-10T18:27:18-04:00NHL Playoffs: Match-ups Finalized In Eastern Conference, One Spot Left In West
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<p>The match-ups have been finalized <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=558977&navid=DL%7CNHL%7Chome" target="_blank">in the Eastern Conference</a> for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> the top seed in the East and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a> the top seed in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>Boston, which finished the season in third place in the Eastern Conference, will face the rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> in the first round of the playoffs. The Bruins were 2-3-1 in six games against the Habs this season.</p>
<p>The eighth seed in the Western Conference is the only spot left for grabs in the postseason, and it will be filled by either Dallas or defending champion Chicago, which lost on Sunday afternoon. With the Blackhawks' loss, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a> control their own destiny, as a win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> on Sunday afternoon would send them to the playoffs.</p>
<p>Here's a look at the first round match-ups for the 2011 NHL Playoffs, which begins later this week.</p>
<p><b><u>EASTERN CONFERENCE</u></b></p>
<p>No. 1 seed <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" target="_blank">Washington Capitals</a> vs. No. 8 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a></p>
<p>No. 2 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> vs. No. 7 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a></p>
<p>No. 3 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a> vs. No. 6 seed <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" target="_blank">Montreal Canadiens</a></p>
<p>No. 4 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> vs. No. 5 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></p>
<p><b><u>WESTERN CONFERENCE</u></b></p>
<p>No. 1 seed <a href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Canucks</a> vs. No. 8 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>/<a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Stars</a></p>
<p>No. 2 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">San Jose Sharks</a> vs. No. 7seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a></p>
<p>No. 3 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a> vs.No. 6 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes">Phoenix Coyotes</a></p>
<p>No. 4 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Ducks</a> vs. No. 5 seed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-bruins/2011/4/10/2102767/nhl-playoffs-2011-matchups-capitals-canucks-bruinsGethin Coolbaugh2011-04-10T14:01:37-04:002011-04-10T14:01:37-04:00NHL Playoffs: Bruins Will Face Canadiens In Postseason's First Round
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a> <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2192461/bruins-play-canadiens-first-round" target="_blank">will host the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs</a>, which begin later this week. The match-up was finalized following the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>' win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Boston (46-24-11) is currently in third place in the Eastern Conference, which is where they will finish the regular season regardless of the outcome of Sunday's game in New Jersey. Montreal (44-30-8) locked up the conference's sixth seed with its 4-1 win over Toronto on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Recent history favors the Canadiens in this series, as the Bruins are 2-3-1 against Montreal this season. In their last meeting, Boston posted an impressive 7-0 win over the Habs.</p>
<p>The complete Eastern Conference standings can be seen below, and you can check out the official NHL playoff picture by <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=pla" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p>
<p><b><u><a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm" target="_blank">Eastern Conference Standings</a></u></b></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> (48-23-11; 107 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a> (47-23-12; 106 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a> (46-24-11; 103 points)</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> (48-25-8; 104 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> (46-25-11; 103 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> (44-30-8; 96 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> (43-29-10; 96 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> (44-33-5; 93 points)</span></li>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-bruins/2011/4/10/2102318/nhl-playoffs-2011-bruins-canadiens-first-roundGethin Coolbaugh2011-04-09T17:09:35-04:002011-04-09T17:09:35-04:00NHL Playoff Picture 2011: Bruins Win On Saturday, Would Face Montreal In First Round
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<p><span>Tim Thomas</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a> coasted to a 3-1 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> on Saturday afternoon, giving them 103 points on the season and moving them within one point of second place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia</a>.</p>
<p>If the playoffs began today, Boston (46-24-11) would face the Montreal <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Canadiens</a> (43-30-8; 94 points) in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal owns a 4-2-0 record against Boston this season.</p>
<p>With one game left in the regular season, the Bruins could move up to the second seed in the Eastern Conference if they defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> on Sunday and the Flyers lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> on Saturday. If they do so, the Bruins may face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> (42-29-10), who are seventh in the East with 94 points.</p>
<p>Here's a look at the complete Eastern Conference standings as of Saturday afternoon.</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> (48-22-11; 107 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a> (46-23-13; 104 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a> (46-24-11; 103 points)</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> (48-25-8; 104 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> (45-25-11; 101 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" target="_blank">Montreal Canadiens</a> (43-30-8; 94 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/" target="_blank">Buffalo Sabres</a> (42-29-10; 94 points)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> (44-33-5; 93 points)</span></li>
</ol>
<div>To view the current NHL playoff picture for the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=pla" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-bruins/2011/4/9/2100954/nhl-playoffs-2011-pictureGethin Coolbaugh2011-04-04T15:08:55-04:002011-04-04T15:08:55-04:00NHL Playoffs: Bruins Would Face Canadiens If Postseason Started Today
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<p>For nine of the ten Eastern Conference teams that have either solidified a playoff berth or are in contention have just three games remaining on their schedule. The <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Bruins</a> are the only team that still has four games left to play -- and they're still the only team in the conference that has clinched its division.</p>
<p>Chalk it up to good fortune or a weak division, but here's the really important stat: with four games left -- including Monday night's all-important battle for position with the <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Rangers</a> -- the Bruins can't fall lower than third, but could still earn first place in the East.</p>
<p>Their competition in those four games? The Rangers, struggling to maintain their hold on the eighth and final playoff spot; the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Islanders</a>, long removed from contention; the <a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ottawa Senators</a>, still trying to learn the names of their teammates as call-ups or new signees show up by the week (read as: not close to the playoffs, and never were); and the <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (see above). </p>
<p>The talk for the past few weeks among Bruins fans has been finding a way to push the hated Canadiens further down the standings so that the Bruins don't have to play them in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But with the Habs holding the season series over both the Rangers and Sabres below them, it's Boston's turn to focus on moving up to avoid Les Bleus. </p>
<p>That is, if they want to avoid them at all. </p>
<p>The Bruins will have home-ice advantage in at least the first round of the quest for Lord Stanley's hardware, and while home ice hasn't meant much to the Bruins this year, it's meant quite a bit the past two times out against Montreal, in which they physically whupped their hated rivals in an 8-6 game that saw 186 penalty minutes and emotionally broke the Habs in a 7-0 beatdown just a couple of weeks ago. </p>
<p>The Rangers and Sabres have both had the Bruins' number this year, playing physical games in front of strong goaltenders and wearing the Black and Gold down in the process. Montreal has one point on Buffalo and two on New York, with each team having three games left in the season, but the Sabres have quietly been playing some of the best hockey in the NHL since the all-star break, and the Rangers have been solid without being spectacular all year long. </p>
<p>A lot can change in the next eight days, but as it stands right now, the Eastern Conference playoffs shake out as follows:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">No. 8 New York vs. No 1. Philadelphia</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">No. 5 Tampa Bay vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">No. 7 Buffalo vs. No. 2 Washington</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">No. 3 Boston vs. No. 6 Montreal</span></li>
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<p>The Habs can't catch Tampa Bay, which is battling with Washington for the Southeast division crown and Pittsburgh for the fourth seed and first-round home ice; Pittsburgh, likewise, is battling Philadelphia for the Atlantic division - and, presumably, first overall. </p>
<p>But Boston has the easiest schedule of those battling at all, and should they take advantage of it as they're expected to, they might find themselves looking down on the entire conference. If not, hey, they can't drop any further than they already are. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2011/4/4/2332745/nhl-playoffs-bruins-would-face-canadiens-if-postseason-started-todayRyan Durling