With both the Flyers and Canadiens advancing to the second round on the back of game 7 victories, neither team has had much of a break, nor have they had a very impressive showing. Montreal might have celebrated like they won the cup after squeaking through the first round, but they still have a long road ahead of them if they really want to hoist the cup. The games are only going to get harder, and they are playing in front of goaltender that was manning the crease for the WHL Tri-City Americans last season. Carey Price is talented and is the goaltender of the future, but his lack of experience is worrisome.

The Philadelphia Flyers overcame a rough stretch in February, dropping ten straight games, to lock up the 6th seed int East. Against Alexander Ovechkin's Washington Capitals in the first round the Flyers were enigmatic. They lost game 1 after leading by 2 goals in the 3rd period. They recovered to take games 2, 3, and 4. But with the Capitals on the verge of elimination the Flyers allowed them to creep back into the series in games 5 and 6. In the pivotal game 7 Joffrey Lupul won the game and the series for the Flyers in overtime.

Neither series was that pretty, but both teams are still alive. It remains to be seen who will take the opening round as a wake up call. I haven't bought completely in on Carey Price yet, but I don't think the Flyers will be able to overcome their inconsistency. This season wasn't their year anyways, they were aiming to return to respectability. Next year the Flyers will be a bigger factor. Right now, though, I've got the Canadiens in 6.