OTHL - - - The 2006 playoffs starts tomorrow, and today the OTHL 2006 playoff site open up its doors. This years playoffs promise to be even more interesting then last season, with 16 teams all eager to lay there hands on the holy grail. Last season the New Jersey Devils claimed the cup after a hard fought playoffs. This time around, they will have there hands full from the get go with a matchup against the Boston Bruins. A team that has gone from pre-season favorite, to dissapointment, and then back to a cup contenders.
Another highly interesting battle will see the #1 seed, and president trophy winners, the Philadelphia Flyers take on the #8 seeded Montreal Canadiens. Last season the Canadiens were in the same position, #8 seed and about the face the president trophy winners. Last time around, the Habs went out on top, causing an upset against the Boston Bruins. But will they be able to kill the giant again?
Ottawa Senators who held down the top spot in the league for a long time this season, will take on Atlanta. A team that charged trough the standings at the end of the season, to claim a place in the playoffs. The Senators comes to play with a deadly offense, lead by this years Art Ross winner Bobby Holik. But will Holik, Alfredsson, Hossa and the rest be able to get trough Nikolai Khaibulin and his team?
Then we have the florida battle, between Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts will face a team lead by Peter Forsberg and Joe Thornton. Can the Sedin brothers with help from veterans like Owen Nolan, Glen Murray and Peter Bondra make it trough the second round. This series also features a highly interesting goaltending duel, between Roberto Luongo and Curtis Joseph.
On the other side, in the Western Conference the high flying San Jose Sharks will battle it out with the Nashville Predators. The Predators will have to get high quality goaltending from Tomas Vokoun, and hope that someone else, beside LeCavalier, can step up and score some goals. For the #1 seed its about defense, with Nick Boynton, Dan Boyle, Derek Morris, Ed Jovanovski, Darryl Sydor, Jordan Leopold and veteran Brett Hedican the Sharks have a cup winning defense.
Calgary Flames are one of the big time favorites out of the western conference. A team with several veterans in the form of Joe Nieuwendyk, Jason Allison, Scott Mellanby, Markus Näslund, Sergei Zubov and Rod Brind'Amour. And not to forget, some youthfull energy from Jason Spezza, Ruslan Fedotenko and Aleksey Morozov. The Flames will have to fight a foe not many people had counted on before the season. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets have made it to the playoffs and now they are looking to win against the Flames. And with a hard working defense, the Flames might have a tougher series on there hands, then they expected.
Factor X in the west, might just be the Los Angeles Kings. With Dominik Hasek in the net, and some seasoned veterans up front, they could cause some problems in the western conference. Craig Conroy, Luc Robitaille and the rest will have to get out of hockey town USA first tough. As the Red Wings are there opponents in the first round. Detroit have made many personel changes during the year, and are looking to make a long run. Steve Sullivan, Brian Rolston will first have to figure out Dominik Hasek.
Last season Vancouver lost the Western Conference final, to the Phoenix Coyotes. This time around, Vancouvers journey starts against Dallas Stars. A team that also lost to Phoenix last time around. Now Jaromir Jagr is the king of Dallas, but will young David Aebischer in net be able to hold off the Vancouver Canucks?