After an exciting regular season that saw many superstars and rising stars hit career years offensively, the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight! This year has a different feel to it, sure you have the Tampa Bay Lightning who finished 21 points ahead of the next team as the favourite, but there are a bunch of other contenders and some extremely interesting first round match ups. With that being said, here's a look at the Eastern/Western Quarterfinals match ups and how I predict they will play out:
Eastern Conference:
Season Series: Tampa Bay won the season series 3-0-0
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October 13, 2018: Tampa Bay Lightning 8, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
January 8, 2019: Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
February 18, 2019: Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Players to Watch:
Tampa Bay: Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevsky, Anthony Cirelli
Columbus: Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Duchene, Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Seth Jones
X-Factor:
Tampa Bay: Nikita Kucherov
Columbus: Sergei Bobrovsky
Team Leaders:
Goals: Steven Stamos (TBL) - 45, Cam Atkinson (CBJ) - 41
Assists: Nikita Kucherov (TBL) - 87, Artemi Panarin (CBJ) - 59
Points: Nikita Kucherov (TBL) - 128, Artemi Panarin (CBJ) - 87
Wins: Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) - 39, Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) - 37
Goals Against Average: Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) - 2.40, Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) - 2.58
Save Percentage: Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) - .925, Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) - .913
Prediction: The Blue Jackets went all in at the trade deadline acquiring Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, while also holding onto pending free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. They just barely made the playoffs on the final weekend of the season, and are against all odds versus a stacked Tampa Bay team. Lightning win this series easily
(LIGHTNING IN 5)
#1 Washington Capitals vs. WC #1 Carolina Hurricanes
December 14, 2018: Washington Capitals 6, Carolina Hurricanes 5 (SO)
December 27, 2018: Washington Capitals 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
March 26, 2019: Washington Capitals 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
March 28, 2019: Washington Capitals 3, Carolina Hurricanes 2
Players to Watch:
Washington: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Braden Holtby, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Tom Wilson
Carolina: Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Dougie Hamilton, Justin Williams, Justin Faulk, Evgeny Svechnikov
X-Factor:
Washington: Alex Ovechkin
Carolina: Sebastian Aho
Team Leaders:
Goals: Alex Ovechkin (WSH) - 51 goals, Sebastian Aho (CAR) - 30
Assists: John Carlson (WSH) - 57, Teuvo Teravainen (CAR) - 55
Points: Alex Ovechkin (WSH) - 89, Sebastian Aho (CAR) - 83
Wins: Braden Holtby (WSH) - 32, Petr Mrazek (CAR) - 23
Goals Against Average: Petr Mrazek (CAR) - 2.39, Braden Holtby (WSH) - 2.82
Save Percentage: Petr Mrazek (CAR) - .914, Braden Holtby (WSH) - .911
Prediction: The Capitals begin their defense as Stanley Cup champions against the pesky "Bunch of Jerks" from Carolina, who have exceeded expectations under 1st year Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour and made the playoffs for the 1st time in a decade. While I think this series will be closer than people expect, I still think the defending champions will march on here
(CAPITALS IN 6)
#2 Boston Bruins vs. #3 Toronto Maple Leafs
November 10, 2018: Boston Bruins 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
November 26, 2018: Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Boston Bruins 2
December 8, 2018: Boston Bruins 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 3
January 12, 2019: Boston Bruins 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Players to Watch:
Boston: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask, Torey Krug, Jake DeBrusk
Toronto: John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, Freddie Andersen, William Nylander
X-Factor:
Boston: Patrice Bergeron
Toronto: John Tavares
Team Leaders:
Goals: John Tavares (TOR) - 47, David Pastrnak (BOS) - 38
Assists: Mitch Marner (TOR) - 68, Brad Marchand (BOS) - 64
Points: Brad Marchand (BOS) - 100, Mitch Marner (TOR) - 94
Wins: Freddie Andersen (TOR) - 36, Tuukka Rask (BOS) - 27
Goals Against Average: Jaroslav Halak (BOS) - 2.34, Freddie Andersen (TOR) - 2.77
Save Percentage: Jaroslav Halak (BOS) - .922, Freddie Andersen (TOR) - .917
Prediction: Another year, another Bruins/Leafs 1st round match up. The Leafs come in fully equipped after adding John Tavares in the summer, is this finally the year they can get past Boston? Time will tell what happens, this truly is a toss-up and I can see either team winning. While I believe Boston is the favourite, I think Toronto finally slays the demon and moves on to the 2nd round.
(LEAFS IN 7)
#2 New York Islanders vs. #3 Pittsburgh Penguins
October 30, 2018: New York Islanders 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
November 1, 2018: New York Islanders 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (SO)
December 6, 2018: Pittsburgh Penguins 6, New York Islanders 2
December 10, 2018: Pittsburgh Penguins 2, New York Islanders 1 (SO)
Players to Watch:
New York: Mat Barzal, Robin Lehner, Anders Lee, Josh Bailey, Ryan Pulock, Jordan Eberle
Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Matt Murray, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel
X-Factor:
New York: Mat Barzal
Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby
Team Leaders:
Goals: Jake Guentzel (PIT) - 40, Anders Lee (NYI) - 28
Assists: Sidney Crosby (PIT) - 65, Matt Barzal (NYI) - 44
Points: Sidney Crosby (PIT) - 100, Matt Barzal (NYI) - 62
Wins: Matt Murray (PIT) - 29, Robin Lehner (NYI) - 25
Goals Against Average: Robin Lehner (NYI) 2.13, Matt Murray (PIT) - 2.69
Save Percentage: Robin Lehner (NYI) - .930, Matt Murray (PIT) - .9l9
Prediction: The biggest surprise of the 2018/19 season was the New York Islanders, who went from 80 points last year to 103 points (4th highest in the NHL) under new head coach Barry Trotz this year. The Penguins and Islanders have fought in the playoffs several times in the past few years, while Pittsburgh is usually the favourite this series has a different feel with Trotz-coached Islanders stellar defense. I think this series goes the distance and Crosby becomes a hero in game 7.
(PENGUINS IN 7)
This would have Tampa Bay, Washington, Toronto and Pittsburgh advancing to the next round. The match ups would be as follows:
#1 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #3 Toronto Maple Leafs
#1 Washington Capitals vs. #3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference:
#1 Calgary Flames vs. WC #2 Colorado Avalanche
October 13, 2018: Calgary Flames 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (OT)
November 1, 2018: Calgary Flames 6, Colorado Avalanche 5
January 9, 2019: Calgary Flames 5, Colorado Avalanche 3
Players to Watch:
Calgary: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano, Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund
Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, Philipp Grubauer, Tyson Barrie, Erik Johnson
X-Factor:
Calgary: Johnny Gaudreau
Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon
Team Leaders:
Goals: Nathan MacKinnon (COL) - 41, Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) - 36
Assists: Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) - 63, Nathan MacKinnon (COL) - 58
Points: Nathan MacKinnon (COL) - 99, Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) - 99
Wins: David Rittich (CGY) - 27, Semyon Varlamov (COL) - 20
Goals Against Average: David Rittich (CGY) - 2.61, Philipp Grubauer (COL) - 2.64
Save Percentage: Philipp Grubauer (COL) - .917, David Rittich (CGY) - .911
Prediction: With Bill Peters behind the bench in Calgary, the Flames had their highest point total in franchise history with 107 to lock up 1st seed in the Western Conference. While this team is extremely dangerous offensively, they have a lot of question marks in net with Mike Smith/David Rittich. The Avs come in as underdogs after squeaking into the playoffs again, and putting my Avs fan bias aside I believe they can upset the Flames here.
(AVALANCHE IN 7)
#1 Nashville Predators vs. WC #1 Dallas Stars
November 10, 2018: Nashville Predators 5, Dallas Stars 4 (OT)
December 27, 2018: Dallas Stars 2, Nashville Predators 0
February 2, 2019: Dallas Stars 3, Nashville Predators 1
February 7, 2019: Nashville Predators 3, Dallas Stars 2 (OT)
February 19, 2018: Nashville Predators 5, Dallas Stars 3
Players to Watch:
Nashville: Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, Roman Josi, PK Subban
Dallas: Ben Bishop, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Alex Radulov, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen
X-Factor:
Nashville: Pekka Rinne
Dallas: Ben Bishop
Team Leaders:
Goals: Viktor Arvidsson (NSH) - 34, Tyler Seguin (DAL) - 33
Assists: Ryan Johansen (NSH) - 50, Tyler Seguin (DAL) - 47
Points: Tyler Seguin (DAL) - 80, Ryan Johansen (NSH) - 64
Wins: Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 30, Ben Bishop (DAL) - 27
Goals Against Average: Ben Bishop (DAL) - 1.98, Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 2.42
Save Percentage: Ben Bishop (DAL) - .934, Pekka Rinne (NSH) - .918
Prediction: The series has the potential to be a tough, physical series between two of the biggest teams in the NHL. The key matchup to follow will be in net between Ben Bishop and Pekka Rinne, both goalies capable of stealing a series for their teams. I think if the Seguin/Benn/Radulov line can get hot the Stars can upset Nashville here, but I think the Predators have the edge.
(PREDATORS IN 6)
#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Vegas Golden Knights
November 24, 2018: Vegas Golden Knights 6, San Jose Sharks 0
January 10, 2019: San Jose Sharks 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2
March 18, 2019: Vegas Golden Knights 7, San Jose Sharks 3
March 30, 2019: San Jose Sharks 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3 (OT)
Players to Watch:
San Jose: Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Tomas Hertl, Evander Kane
Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury, Mark Stone, Johnathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Paul Stastny, Max Pacioretty
X-Factor:
San Jose: Brent Burns
Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury
Team Leaders:
Goals: Joe Pavelski (SJS) - 38, Johnathan Marchessault (VGK) - 25
Assists: Brent Burns (SJS) - 67, Johnthan Marchessault/Rielly Smith (VGK) - 34
Points: Brent Burns (SJS) - 83, Johnthan Marchessault (VGK) - 59
Wins: Martin Jones (SJS) - 36, Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) - 35
Goals Against Average: Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) - 2.51, Martin Jones (SJS) - 2.94
Save Percentage: Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) - .913, Martin Jones (SJS) - .896
Prediction: Everyone remembers the historic run the Vegas Golden Knights went on last year in their inaugural season, and no one is going be taking them lightly this year. Certainly not the San Jose Sharks, who lost to Vegas in 6 game in the second round. This series is probably the closest 1st round match up of the 8 series, and believe it's a toss-up that will go 7 games. I give the slight edge to Jumbo Joe and the Sharks.
(SHARKS in 7)
#2 Winnipeg Jets vs. #3 St. Louis Blues
October 4, 2018: Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 1
October 22, 2018: Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 4 (OT)
November 24, 2018: Winnipeg Jets 8, St. Louis Blues 4
December 7, 2018: St. Louis Blues 1, Winnipeg Jets 0
Players to Watch:
Winnipeg: Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien, Patrik Laine, Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor
St. Louis: Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly, Jordan Binnington, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, Brayden Schenn
X-Factor:
Winnipeg: Mark Scheifele
St. Louis: Jordan Binnington
Team Leaders:
Goals: Mark Scheifele (WPG) - 38, Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) - 33
Assists: Blake Wheeler (WPG) - 71, Ryan O'Reilly (STL) - 49
Points: Blake Wheeler (WPG) - 91, Ryan O'Reilly (STL) - 77
Wins: Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) - 34, Jordan Binnington (STL) - 24
Goals Against Average: Jordan Binnington (STL) - 1.89, Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) - 2.90
Save Percentage: Jordan Binnington (STL) - .927, Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) - .913
Prediction: The Central Division is loaded with big, talented teams and this Jets/Blues 1st round series is proof of that. Much like the Vegas/San Jose series above, this is two evenly matched teams that makes for a very exciting series. While I do believe the Blues have what it takes to pull off the upset, I'm giving the slight edge to the Jets.
(JETS IN 7)
This would have Colorado, Nashville, Vegas and Winnipeg advancing to the next round. The match ups would be as follows:
#1 Nashville Predators vs #2 Winnipeg Jets
#2 San Jose Sharks vs WC #2 Colorado Avalanche
Here is a look at the full playoff bracket:
Playoffs begin at 7pm tonight. Best time of the year!
Joel Forman - The Forman Faceoff
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