Eastern Conference Semi-Final Preview: Bruins/Rangers

4. Boston Bruins vs. 6. New York Rangers
Season Series: 2-1-1 Rangers
This will be the 9th playoff series for these old Original Six teams, and their first meeting since 1973. The cities of Boston and New York have a long history of sporting rivalries, and this series could provide another compelling chapter. There's not much that separates these two teams on paper, both feature strong defense, deep scoring and excellent goaltenders. The Bruins while likely we riding a wave of emotion after their historic comeback win in game seven over the Maple Leafs when their top guns Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic finally showed up in the series. Boston likely has the edge on offense, though I would expect that the two highest paid forwards on the Rangers, Brad Richards and Rick Nash, will combine for more than the single goal they have contributed so far. New York gets the edge on defense, as they allowed only 1.71 goals per game against a high-flying Washington offense, while Boston inexplicably struggled to keep the puck out of their own net against a fast Toronto team. Much of that falls on the shoulders of goalie Tuukka Rask, who was brilliant at times but inconsistent. There's no doubt that with a 1.65 goals against average, .947 save percentage and 2 shutouts that the Ranger's Henrik Lundqvist has been the better of the two thus far. In what is expected to be a back and forth, largely defensive series between the two clubs, special teams will be key. New York's power play was a woeful 7.1% against the Capitals, while both of Boston's special teams units have been merely average.

Key Players: 
Boston: David Krejci - NHL leading 13 points.
Boston: Zdeno Chara - 8 points, +7
Boston: Nathan Horton - 7 points, NHL leading +11
New York: Derek Brassard - 9 points in his last 5 games
New York: Rick Nash - zero goals, 2 assists
New York: Henrik Lundvqvist - 4th in goals against average and save percentage this post-season

Prediction: 4-3 Rangers
This one is honestly too close to call. Where the Bruins can score, New York can defend. Where the Boston can hit, the Rangers can respond in kind. For me, the splitting difference is going to come down to goaltending, and Vezina winner Lundqvist looks to be playing better than he ever has in his life. I don't want to make predictions for the later rounds, but he looks like a Conn Smythe candidate already. If the quiet stars on the New York can wake up, Boston will be in big trouble to score enough to win four games.