Well, here we are once again, the best time of the year. It’s the NHL playoffs. Midway through the first round there have been some surprises jumping out, while some teams have been par for the course (yes, Washington, we understand you’re a good team). Let’s take a look at each series and throw out some predictions, because why not.
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers (3-0 Caps)
I don’t think anyone gave the Flyers much of a chance in this one. With top scorers Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov starting to get hot, it doesn’t look good for Philadelphia who tries to put an end to their skid in game four inside their own barn. If the third tilt of the series is any indication, where Washington walked away with a dominant 6-1 win, the Flyers will be practicing their golf swing sooner rather than later. Capitals in four games.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers (1-1)
Now this is a series that could easily go seven games. After the Penguins took game one 5-2, the Rangers answered right back with a 4-2 victory. Henrik Lundqvist was able to bounce back from his game one eye injury in a big way. On the other side, the Penguins got one of their top scorers back in Evgeni Malkin. The real question is, will Jeff Zatkoff be able to bolster the Pittsburgh defence and walk away with a series win? I’m not so sure. Rangers in six.
Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders (2-1 Islanders)
Did the hectic schedule really factor into the play of Roberto Luongo? The goaltender seems to think so. After playing three games in four days, Florida finds themselves down two games to one after losing in overtime in the opening playoff game in Brooklyn. Florida has really leaned on Reilly Smith this series, who leads the playoffs in points with eight. The Panthers will need Jaromir Jagr to step up if they have a shot at coming back, he currently has no points in three games. Panthers in seven.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings (2-1 Lightning)
A goaltending change may be what the Red Wings needed all along in this series. Petr Mrazek stepped up in a big way in game three, posting a 16-save shutout. Of course, a big storyline in this series is the fact Steven Stamkos has yet to suit up for the Lightning as he deals with his blod clot issue. I have Detroit completing the come back and taking this series in six games with Stamkos sidelined.
Western Conference
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild (2-1 Stars)
After the first two and a half games it seemed as though Dallas was going to run over the Wild and not look into the rearview mirror. Two convincing wins at home, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in hostile territory made it an easy thought. Not so fast. The Wild absolutely battled in game three, scoring four unanswered goals in a 4-3 route. The win definitely breathed life into that locker room. In the other, Tyler Seguin may be making a return to the lineup in game four or five, and that will put the Stars over the top. Dallas in five.
Chicago Blackhawks vs St. Louis Blues (2-1 Blues)
After splitting the series in St. Louis, the Blues were able to walk into Chicago and squeak a win out to take the series lead. The loss was the first time the Blackhawks had fallen in front of their home crowd after taking an advantage into the third period in 70 tries. Pretty incredible feat. Despite being down, there is too much leadership in the Blackhawks locker room to lose this series. Chicago in seven.
Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators (2-0 Preds)
This series is the biggest surprise to me. I had the Ducks going to the Stanley Cup. Although they are down two games to none I still don’t see them losing out in the first round. Remember how they started and where they finished. This series could be a microcosm of their season. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry need to get it done sooner rather than later with this lineup if they want another shot at a championship. Ducks in seven.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings (2-1 Sharks)
This series has seven games written all over it. The Sharks were able to steal two in LA before the Kings came into Shark territory and stole game three in overtime. Jonathan Quick and Martin Jones have been stellar in opposite nets, and will be instrumental to whichever team takes this series. Aside from the recent struggles in the playoffs for San Jose, this team is deeper than it has ever been. Tomas Hertl and Joonas Donskoi provide depth scoring the Sharks have been missing. Sharks in seven.
