Assuming you don't have any allegiances to another team in the playoffs, that is.
The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff matchups are now set, and the Eastern Conference's Pittsburgh Penguins and the Western Conference's Los Angeles Kings are the lone multi-BC teams in this year's playoffs. Both Brooks Orpik and Ben Lovejoy are on the Pens active roster, while Peter Harrold and Rob Scuderi both patrol the blueline for the Kings.
Orpik, Lovejoy and the Pens take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 4 vs. 5 matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Lovejoy has 3 goals and 15 assists in 47 games this season for Pittsburgh, while Orpik has tallied 13 points in 63 games.
Out west, Harrold, Scuderi and the Kings take on the second seeded San Jose Sharks. Scuderi has 15 points while playing in all 82 games for the Kings this season. Harrold has just four points in 19 games and hasn't played for the Kings since February 28. Harrold and Scuderi will be facing a fellow former Eagle in San Jose's center Benn Ferriero. Ferriero has nine points in 33 games this season, and was recalled from AHL's Worcester on Saturday.
So we know you're pulling for the Penguins over the Lightning and the Kings over the Sharks (sorry, Ferriero). But who are you rooting for in the other games?
(1) Washington vs. (8) New York Rangers: Believe it or not, you're rooting for the Rangers and BC's Brian Boyle, as well as Chris Kreider's future mates. With apologies to Caps prospect Patrick Wey.
(2) Philadelphia vs. (7) Buffalo: Root for the Sabres and BC's Nate Gerbe.
(3) Boston vs. (6) Montreal: For those who don't pull for the B's (I realize this might not be many readers ...), the rooting interest here is Brian Gionta and the Canadiens.
(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago: Flip a coin? You've got Chicago's Ben Smith, recently recalled from Rockford, going up against red hot Cory Schneider between the pipes for the Canucks. Though both Jimmy Hayes and Kevin Hayes are in the Blackhawks system, so I suppose this tips the scales CHI's way.
(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix: You're hoping the Red Wings throw an octopus on the ice for a Patrick Eaves goal.
In the Western Conference playoffs final series -- (4) Anaheim vs. (5) Nashville -- there are no Boston College players on either roster. So I suppose you could root for attorney Gordon Bombay and the Mighty Ducks here.