Looks like the Panthers will be playing the Caps. No disrespect to Washington, it's a quality team, but I like the Panthers to advance from that series. In that case, Florida will have its first successful season in 25 years.
The problems I see in the Eastern Conference are:
1. Tampa Bay - Florida hasn't shown any ability to solve Tampa's power play. Florida's PK remains suspect and Tampa is good enough at agitating to create special teams games, even in the playoffs.
2. Rangers - My last post in this thread was about Shesterkin, and for good reason. I think he is having a historic season, should win every single first place vote for the Vezina trophy. The Panthers are 1-2 against the Rangers this season, and in one of those losses they straight up outclassed the Rangers' skaters but simply couldn't beat Shesterkin. That's going to happen in a playoff series. Panthers really need to hope that a team like Carolina or Boston is able to grind out a win against the Rangers.
3. Boston - Team finally got healthy. Lot of experience, very talented team, can beat anybody. I think Florida is a better team, but there's still a danger here.
Calgary is quietly the best team in the West and is the most prepared to make a deep run in the playoffs. Give me Colorado in the finals over those guys, any day. Well, really, I'll take anybody in the finals, because the East is going to be hell to get out of this season.