I had planned to do a first-round preview, but since most series weren’t set on Tuesday, I had a busier week than usual, and the NHL rudely moved the start of the playoffs up by two days, there wasn’t enough time. Needless to say, these were some of the worst first-round series in some time. A team that shouldn’t have made the postseason (Washington Capitals) and rematches no one wanted (Hurricanes vs Islanders again and Oilers vs Kings for the third straight time. Please make it stop.). We only had two game sevens, and five series were five games or less. But the Game 7’s we did get were glorious.
I feel for the Toronto Maple Leafs, I really do. But this year, they sort of have an excuse because of the injuries. Most of the Bruins vs. Maple Leafs games were thrilling. The Stars vs. Golden Knights was the best series and one I could watch forever. They each scored 16 goals which shows you how evenly matched they were. We all knew these were the two best series and were going the distance, and they delivered.
Other than the Avalanche beating the Jets, there were no upsets, which is strange. In my bracket, I had 7 of 8 correct, which is what I normally get except when I’m off, like last year. The only one I predicted incorrectly was the Panthers. It’s not like I didn’t think they could beat the Lightning, I just thought the Lightning played better down the stretch and would win in seven. The games were close, even if the Panthers won in five.
On to the second round where we have a great slate of matchups. The NHL couldn’t wait as they started the second round before the first round ended so much for tradition or common sense.
A1 Florida Panthers vs. A2 Boston Bruins
Season Series: 4-0 Bruins
Playoff Series History: 2-0 Panthers
What We Learned: The Bruins continued their Game 7 dominance over the Maple Leafs. The Panthers finally beat the Lightning in the playoffs, showing that last season’s playoff run was no fluke.
Stars to Watch: The Panthers are led by Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Carter Verhaeghe. Verhaeghe is tied for third all-time in overtime playoff goals and had one against the Lightning. Sam Reinhart is also dangerous. Vladimir Tarasenko is my sleeper pick. The Bruins are led by Brad Marchand, Jake DeBrusk (who wanted out at one point) and David Pastrnak. Hampus Lindholm’s goal, where he waited, was beautiful. He and Charlie McAvoy, two defensemen, are fourth in Bruins’ scoring.
Goalie Problem: Sergei Bobrovsky wasn’t great against the Lightning, but he did make some key saves that weren’t easy. Jeremy Swayman looks to be the man going forward, which is a good thing for the Bruins. He got into a groove against the Maple Leafs.
X-Factor: How much do the Bruins want revenge for what happened last season? Or will the collapse haunt them? They almost had the same thing happen to them this year when they blew Games 5 and 6 and found themselves down in Game 7 late. They did a great job tying it a minute later. I thought it was game over.
Fun Fact: The two times the Panthers beat the Bruins in the first round, they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. But this is the second round. The last time the Bruins won the Stanley Cup was the season after they blew a 3-1 series lead.
Prediction: I wonder if the Bruins wished they had won one more game to have home ice. Since the Bruins won the season series, you’d imagine they learned from last season’s collapse. It’s hard to know if the Panthers still have their magic, as the Lightning are just completing their downward trend. But since Swayman only lets in goals with weird bounces or when he’s screened, I like the Bruins’ chances. This will be a hard-hitting and even matchup, but I like the Bruins in seven.
M1 New York Rangers vs. M2 Carolina Hurricanes
Season Series: 2-1 Rangers
Playoff Series History: 1-1
What We Learned: The Rangers dominated the Capitals. While the Hurricanes dominated the Islanders again. Yawn.
Stars to Watch: Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck led the Rangers in the first round. Jack Roslovic was third in scoring which is a good sign. It’s a good thing for the Hurricanes that Martin Necas and Teuvo Teravainen weren’t the top scorers, but they still dominated. Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov, and Martin Necas led them. However, Jake Guentzel only had one goal, which is concerning.
Goalie Problem: Igor Shesterkin led the NHL in SV% in round one but he was hardly tested. Frederik Andersen was good enough. I’d like to say he’ll be tested more but the Rangers only had 26 shots a game but they made the most of them. He needs to better regardless of how many shots he faces.
X-Factor: Will anyone step up for the Hurricanes when they need to have a goal? The Rangers have many stars who can and Artemi Panarin did so in Game 1. Necas and Jarvis scored key goals in the third period in Game 1, but it wasn’t enough.
Fun Fact: The last time these two teams met, the home team won every game except Game 7, when the Rangers won because the Hurricanes suffered several injuries.
Prediction: It’s hard to know if either team is any good because their first-round opponents were terrible. However, if the Rangers beat the Hurricanes two years ago and they’re much better, logic would dictate they’d do it again. The Rangers are also the more physical and gritty team. Both teams are unbeaten at home, so we may get the same outcome of the home team winning every game, with the Rangers winning in seven.
C1 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
Season Series: 3-1 Avalanche
Playoff Series History: 3-2 Stars
What We Learned: The Avalanche made short work of the Winnipeg Jets. While the Stars needed everything, they had to oust the defending champs.
Stars to Watch: Wyatt Johnston was the leading goal scorer for the Stars during the season and in round one. Jason Robertson got back on track, and Miro Heiskanen round out the top three. The Stars are very deep, so everyone pretty much scored against the Golden Knights. Newly acquired defenseman Chris Tanev held the Golden Knights scoreless at even strength. Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen led the Avalanche in scoring in round one, as usual. However, Valeri Nichushkin had a monster seven goals, and Artturi Lehkonen also racked up points.
Goalie Problem: Jake Oettinger really found his groove at the end of the first round. That’s a problem for the Avalanche. Alexander Georgiev was okay against the Jets. The Stars are a more talented team, so that won’t cut it.
X-Factor: I feel speed will play a factor in this series. More specifically, who gets more odd-man rushes and breakaways?
Fun Fact: The Avalanche scored the most third-period goals, 13, while the Stars scored the second-fewest, three. The bottom nine third-period scoring teams have all been eliminated except the Stars and Rangers, who also scored three until they scored one against the Hurricanes in Game 1. Make of that what you will.
Prediction: Their playoff history would lead me to believe this would be a high-scoring series. Especially since the Avalanche were the highest-scoring team in round one, but I don’t think Oettinger will give up that many. Last year, the Avalanche missed having Gabriel Landeskog against the Seattle Kraken. They’ll miss him even more in this series, too. This should be a great close matchup, but the Stars have the goaltending advantage and a little more depth. The Stars in six or seven.
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. P2 Edmonton Oilers
Season Series: 4-0 Canucks
Playoff Series History: 2-0 Oilers
What We Learned: The Canucks eked by the Predators, making use of their limited shots. The Oilers dominated the Kings again but did it more efficiently.
Stars to Watch: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard ran roughshod over the Kings. There’s no reason to think that won’t continue. Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes led the Canucks over the Predators. Concerningly, Elias Pettersson didn’t have a goal. He has only one goal in his last 19 games. That’s a problem.
Goalie Problem: When Thatcher Demko went down, there was a chance the Canucks would lose to the Predators. But Arturs Silovs has stepped in after backup Casey DeSmith also went down. He seems better, too. I’ve always liked Stuart Skinner. Sure, he had spots where he looked terrible, but all young goalies do. He’s elevated his game in the postseason and earned his first postseason shutout against the Kings.
X-Factor: If you count the two goals the Oilers got right after a penalty expires, half of the 22 goals scored against the Kings were powerplay goals. They can score without it, but a successful powerplay ignites the offense.
Fun Fact: The Oilers had a perfect penalty kill against the Kings. The Canucks struggled on the powerplay, converting on only 15%. That’s not a favorable matchup for the Canucks. But their penalty kill was strong at 91%. They’ll need it.
Prediction: The Canucks struggled to score against the Predators in most games, and they’re also using their third-string goalie. Despite getting lucky in Game 4 against the Predators, there’s something about them I don’t like. If the Oilers powerplay struggles, that could give the Canucks an opening. But I have more faith in the Oilers top stars than I do the Canucks. The Oilers are also on a mission and are unlikely to be derailed by a young Canucks team gaining playoff experience. The Oilers in six or seven.