If you want chaos, drama and surprising twists and turns then your needs have been granted on the ultimate full night time of the NHL common season. That’s when a full-fledged collapse by the Predators in opposition to the Coyotes shuffled the NHL playoff deck one remaining time.
If that is what the 2022 postseason may appear to be, then buckle up.
Annually, we attain out to a trio of long-time NHL personnel – a coach, a scout and an govt – who’ve all put of their 10,000 hours of watching and evaluating video games to get their ideas on what might lie forward.
Spoiler alert: Long-time NHL personnel not often exit on a limb, or really feel compelled to choose a wild upset. But there have been just a few surprises. Let’s dig in.
Eastern Conference
Panthers vs. Capitals
The Panthers, who’re making an attempt to win a playoff collection for the primary time since 1996, have the No. 1 offensive crew within the league, led by Jonathan Huberdeau, who completed second within the scoring race. Three different Panthers (Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart and Anthony Duclair) additionally had 30 targets and Sam Bennett produced 28. Acquiring Claude Giroux from Philadelphia on the commerce deadline was Florida’s most seen transfer and Giroux slot in seamlessly, with 23 factors in 18 video games.
“You have to respect what Florida does offensively,” stated the coach. “You watch them play — they don’t miss. Lots of different groups get the identical scoring probabilities, and the puck doesn’t go in for them. When Florida will get those self same probabilities, increase, it’s at the back of the online. Their first-round collection final yr in opposition to Tampa Bay was most likely essentially the most thrilling of the playoffs – up-and-down the ice, run-and-gun.
“My thing with Florida is: Can they outscore their defensive mistakes in a seven-game playoff series? On paper, their defense is pretty good – and they’ve been doing that without (Aaron) Ekblad, who’ll help when he gets back.”
Washington, in the meantime, performed the ultimate week with out Alex Ovechkin, out with a shoulder damage. If it finally ends up being a run-and-gun collection, the Capitals can not afford to be with out essentially the most completed aim scorer within the recreation. They would be the heavy underdog, however the coach stated don’t sleep on the Capitals.
“They went into Colorado a few weeks ago and it wasn’t like Colorado wasn’t trying, but they bullied them around. Washington’s a bit of a sleeper for me.”
But not sufficient to eke out a victory.
“Florida is having one of those magical seasons,” stated the scout. “Regardless of whether Ovechkin plays, they will win.”
Executive: Panthers in 6
Coach: Panthers in 5
Scout: Panthers in 5
Consensus: Panthers advance
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning
Arguably essentially the most intriguing first-round collection, that includes the defending champs in opposition to a Leafs’ crew that has proven far higher collective maturity than previously. Part of Auston Matthews’ Hart Trophy marketing campaign facilities on his more and more necessary defensive function. On paper, it could possibly be a last-goal-wins kind of a collection. Tampa Bay has had , not a fantastic, common season, however they solely had , not a fantastic, common season final yr. And there’s that nice Tampa Bay X issue – goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
“When I watch Tampa, there are times when they look disinterested,” stated the coach. “But I additionally bear in mind the Blackhawks, once they have been of their Cup runs, some nights within the common season they seemed disinterested, however additionally they knew when it was time to dial it up. When Tampa’s engaged, they’re a very completely different crew.
An under-the-radar issue to Tampa Bay’s success, particularly in a match-up in opposition to Matthews, is Ryan McDonagh.
“He’s a key guy there, someone who never gets talked about there, but they missed McDonagh when he was out, and he makes Erik Cernak better,” the chief stated. “They’ll be the key against Matthews.”
Toronto’s hopes will hinge on the play of goaltender Jack Campbell, who was within the Vezina Trophy dialog throughout the first half of the season, faltered a bit of, after which bumped into damage points. At his finest, Campbell will be distinctive. In final yr’s playoffs vs. Montreal, he solely gave up 13 targets in seven video games and had a .934 save share. If he can duplicate that efficiency, then the Leafs have a puncher’s likelihood.
“I would compare the Leafs to Florida,” the chief stated. “That top line can score. I think they match up against Tampa pretty well offensively. I think Tampa’s defense is better collectively and I’m not sure about Toronto’s team defensive game. I’m not saying it’s horrible. I just think Tampa’s is better.”
Thankfully, there was a dissenting vote, from the coach, who stated: “I worry about the Leafs’ goaltending, but I think their offense has been very impressive the last half of the season. They have lots to prove to the doubters.”
Executive: Lightning in 7
Coach: Maple Leafs in 6
Scout: Lightning in 6
Consensus: Lightning advance
Patrice Bergeron. (Kavin Mistry / NHLI through Getty Images)
Hurricanes vs. Bruins
Every analyst polled right here had some model of the identical query providing a thought on the Hurricanes’ probabilities: “How’s Freddie?”
Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen was within the midst of a potential Vezina Trophy-winning season earlier than lacking time on the finish of the season with an unspecified damage. If Andersen can’t go, then the Hurricanes will flip to Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov, each of whom performed effectively behind Carolina’s defensively sound crew protection.
The Bruins received’t have the dependable playoff stalwart David Krejci to fall again on this yr however Patrice Bergeron is within the midst of one other distinctive season, Brad Marchand has a knack for scoring huge targets and David Pastrnak, after a sluggish begin, has been superb. These groups met within the 2019 and 2020 playoffs and Boston crushed the Hurricanes each occasions.
“Depending upon how bad Andersen’s injury is, Carolina’s another team you have to pay attention to,” stated the coach. “People will talk about Boston’s experience, but a lot of Carolina’s guys have been through the wars the last few years. I think that match-up is really good.”
Ultimately, it wasn’t protection or goaltending that price the Hurricanes in opposition to Tampa Bay final yr. It was the shortage offense.
This is our lone upset particular.
From our scout: “(GM) Don Sweeney’s trade for Hampus Lindholm was the best trade nobody’s talking about. People forget how good Lindholm was for Anaheim between 2015 and 2017.. He and Charlie McAvoy make a very good Boston defense even better. It will be difficult for Carolina to get as many scoring chances as usual.”
From the chief: “It could be Bergeron’s last stand. The Bruins are close to healthy – and the Hurricanes goaltending is scary.”
Executive: Bruins in 6
Coach: Hurricanes in 6
Scout: Bruins in 6
Consensus: Bruins advance
Rangers vs. Penguins
The Rangers have been the one newcomer to the Eastern Conference playoff occasion this season they usually’ll face a battle-tested Penguins’ crew that added Rickard Rakell on the commerce deadline to complement what’s already a potent offense led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and from the blue line, Kris Letang. But the Rangers have a wild card that might doubtlessly tip the scales their method – goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who’s favored to win the Vezina and can get some Hart Trophy consideration.
“Their goalie’s been their biggest means of defense all year,” stated the coach. “He’s been fantastic. Everybody needs that, but he’s been off-the-charts good. I’m not sure about their defense – and when I say that, I’m talking about team defense, and not necessarily just their defensemen. But Shesterkin can steal games. Their four lines are balanced. They’re pretty deep throughout the lineup. They’re not going to get pushed around in any series. For me, it’s can they win that tight game, without always relying on their goalie?”
Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry was having a superb first half, however he faltered within the second half after which acquired damage and it’s been Casey DeSmith of late. On paper, that’s a mismatch. If it seems to be a mismatch on the ice too, then the Penguins’ scorers might want to broadly outplay their Ranger counterparts in the event that they need to offset Shesterkin’s potential affect on the collection.
“It’s hard to bet against Crosby and Malkin, but both teams have stars on offense, and one team has far better goaltending,” stated the scout. “It might be a shorter series than you think.”
Executive: Rangers in 5
Coach: Rangers in 7
Scout: Rangers in 5
Consensus: Rangers advance
Western Conference
Avalanche vs. Predators
It’s a matchup of the two top candidates for the Norris – Nashville’s Roman Josi and Colorado’s Cale Makar. The Avalanche clinched the convention championship and residential ice benefit a while in the past, and have been coasting down the stretch, not wanting all that sharp. Mikko Rantanen missed a while with an sickness, Nazem Kadri was simply getting his legs underneath him once more after recovering from damage, and Gabe Landeskog, who underwent surgical procedure to restore a nagging knee drawback, was again up and skating and projected to return for the opener.
The coach famous that for all their expertise, the Avalanche have stumbled in playoffs previous.
“I’m concerned about their defense a little,” stated the coach. “The other thing for me, with Colorado, is (Nathan) MacKinnon’s body language. I think that has a big effect on that group. When it’s not going MacKinnon’s way, his body language can be awful. Some of that leadership they brought in can help him get through that. They’re deep, they have pretty much everything. But like Florida, you wonder: Have they learned from years past? Their management has. They got bigger and harder to play against. But the players still have to go out there and get the job done.”
Apart from Josi, the Preds even have an thrilling, top-heavy first line, which includes a pair of 40-goal scorers, Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene. But the large query mark is in aim, the place Juuse Saros’s availability is in query.
Assuming Saros received’t be obtainable at first, then David Rittich is the subsequent man up. According to the chief, Rittich must dwell as much as his nickname, Big Save Dave, for Nashville to have any hope.
“Colorado is just too deep. Nashville’s only chance if is they are the more physical team. But the Saros injury puts their team in doubt.”
Executive: Avalanche in 5
Coach: Avalanche in 5
Scout: Avalanche in 5
Consensus: Avalanche advance
Wild vs. Blues
If Toronto-Tampa Bay is the Eastern Conference’s marquee first-round matchup, then that is the Western Conference equal. Two groups with a real rivalry, each of whom have been revving on all cylinders the final month or extra.
But let’s begin in aim as a result of there’s a bizarre potential dynamic at play there. Each crew has a Stanley Cup profitable goalie that’s more likely to begin the collection on the bench – Marc-Andre Fleury for Minnesota and Jordan Binnington for St. Louis. Fleury generates much more confidence than Binnington if both ever needed to change to their No. 2s. But if it’s Cam Talbot vs. Ville Husso, head-to-head, the coach says he provides Husso the sting, even when Husso has restricted playoff expertise.
Kirill Kaprizov vs. Vladimir Tarasenko is an attention-grabbing subplot. Kaprizov, who established franchise scoring data, in opposition to Tarasenko, who didn’t need to be with the Blues at first of the yr, was uncovered within the enlargement draft, however turned in a powerful show-me season, proving that his shoulder points have been lastly, firmly previously.
Minnesota added items up entrance (Nic Deslauriers), on the blue line (Jacob Middleton), and in aim (Fleury) to bolster their playoff probabilities, although the important thing will probably be to see if Kaprizov, Kevin Fiala and the marginally banged up Mats Zuccarello can proceed their torrid scoring methods.
This collection elicited a divided response from our specialists. One predicted it may go the space and that each recreation may get to additional time.
The scout took the Wild: “I give Minnesota the edge based on home ice and because Kaprizov seems to be the missing ingredient the Wild have been looking for, for years.”
But the exec picked St. Louis: “A heavyweight fight, but the Blues’ depth is the key. You wonder if the Minnesota goaltending situation could become a distraction.”
Executive: Blues in 6
Coach: Wild in 6
Scout: Wild in 7
Consensus: Wild advances
Blake Coleman. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Flames vs. Stars
It’s a rematch of the 2020 bubble playoff collection, through which Dallas eradicated the Flames on the way in which to an look within the Stanley Cup Final in opposition to Tampa Bay. Much has modified with the Stars since then – a brand new No.1 line, that includes Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz might not have been as dynamic or productive as their Calgary counterpart (Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk), however they will pose a major risk.
“The Flames are a complete team, while the Stars need a miracle. Calgary’s team is driven by its best players. Dallas can’t compete physically,” the chief stated.
The tweaks made to the Calgary roster, within the offseason after which once more on the commerce deadline, have been designed to herald reinforcements that may play the Darryl Sutter method: Fast and good. Blake Coleman brings championship pedigree from Tampa Bay. Tyler Toffoli was within the remaining final yr for Montreal.
“They check for their scoring chances,” stated the coach of the Flames. “They don’t give up anything for free. Their goalie is really good. Darryl has this unique way of creating roles for guys. So, you look at (Erik) Gudbranson and (Nikita) Zadorov – he’s really helped round out their games. Zadorov is a much quieter player than he was in Chicago and Colorado. They’re a good pair. Darryl gets guys to buy into their roles. They’re built for the playoffs.”
Still, Calgary carries quite a lot of psychological baggage going into the playoffs. Only one collection win since qualifying for the 2004 remaining, a memorable surprising run that got here with Sutter behind the bench. He’ll doubtless win the Jack Adams as coach of the yr for what he’s executed with the Flames.
Executive: Flames in 5
Coach: Flames in 5
Scout: Flames in 5
Consensus: Flames advance
Oilers vs. Kings
Edmonton boasts two of essentially the most gifted scoring facilities within the recreation: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Los Angeles counters with two of the perfect defensive facilities within the recreation: Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault. It units up an intriguing chess match between the 2 head coaches, Los Angeles’s Todd McLellan and his former protégé, Jay Woodcroft.
“Woody’s gotten them to buy into the checking part and it’s shown in their game,” stated the coach. “I don’t care if (Oilers goaltender) Mike Smith is 40, he’s enjoying effectively. There’s a perception system there that now’s possibly their time to get transferring in the appropriate path as a result of there’s been a lot negativity for thus a few years. L.A. needs to be cautious to not get into penalty bother as a result of Edmonton’s energy play will be deadly. The extra appears they get, they’ll finally break you down.
“They’ve got a lot of mileage out of Evander Kane. Whatever you may think of him as a person, he creates some mismatches. On the ice, he’s a power forward.”
The Kings must get by with out their prime defenseman, Drew Doughty, out for the season following wrist surgical procedure, however the Oilers could possibly be with out their prime defenseman, Darnell Nurse, no less than early within the collection, due to damage as effectively.
McDavid’s affect is apparent, however the coach believes Draisaitl may be the important thing. “When Leon gets going, not only does it free up McDavid a little, he’s hard to handle. Those two, they’ve been through some negativity, and they’re tired of all the coaching changes, and they’ve got experience now – which makes it more difficult than in the past to defend against them.”
The goaltending matchup options two intense opponents, Smith and Jonathan Quick. Quick strikes so effectively aspect to aspect. Smith’s power is his means to play the puck, which takes stress off the protection.
“There isn’t another goalie who plays the puck as well and acts as a third defenceman and that makes it more difficult,” stated the coach. “But it isn’t just the way he’s handling the puck, it’s the way he’s stopping the puck. At 40 years old, that’s impressive.”
But our scout suggests: “LA has a much better team than people realize and Quick is going to outplay Smith. That sets up the potential for an upset. I’m still picking Edmonton, but I think it’ll go the distance.”
Executive: Oilers in 6
Coach: Oilers in 6
Scout: Oilers in 7
Consensus: Oilers advance
(Top photograph: Eliot J. Schechter / NHLI through Getty Images)
NHL playoff predictions: Anonymous scout, coach and exec decide collection winners
Source: Panapanahon News
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