If that's not enough, consider that New Jersey's second-round playoff opponent, Toronto, carries the hopes of Canada on its shoulders. That said, the other East semifinal has plenty of punch. It features two of the greatest offensive players the NHL has known against a player many argue is the greatest goalie of all time. Not a morsel of liver to be found, chopped or otherwise. When the Eastern Conference semifinals begin Thursday, it will become clear there are no weak links left.
Every team has strengths.
Every team has proven it can compete. Every team knows it can defeat the West's best representative. And that's kind of neat, especially when you consider that the East has lost four of the last five Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh and Toronto have gone the way of adding defense at the cost of their free-wheeling styles. The results have been impressive.