Round one of the NHL Playoffs is officially in the books, and while we didn’t witness any first round upsets, we are locked in for the best possible scenario as far as round two matchups go. Here’s what we’re working with for what should be an awesome slate of games coming up:
Rangers vs. Hurricanes
Full disclosure… I don’t watch any hockey, but Ross suggested I write this column because I am a diehard Canes fan (have watched 3 games) and a massive hater of all things NY sports. So, you are getting a neutral, unbiased, fact based preview. The Hurricanes have to win tomorrow night, since they are already in the hole 1-0. If they don’t it is going to be a tough series to climb back and win. The 2022 Canes-Rags series ended in an epic 4-3 finish with the Rangers claiming the series. It was a back and forth battle that started with the Carolina up 2-0, but losing in the end. To avoid the same outcome this year, they are going to need Kuznetsov and Guenztel to prove their trade deadline worth and push the puck on the forward zone. Defensively, the Hurricanes should maybe consider switching up from the odd man defesne they play because of the speed and efficiency that the Rangers attack with. If not, Panarin, Zibanajed, and company might have their way. In addition, Fred Anderson and the goalie squad need to step up and protect the net. I feel this series reaching 7 games with an epic finish at Madison Square Garden resulting in an away game win for the good guys.
Ross: Canes in seven
Reese: Canes in seven
Panthers vs. Bruins
The rematch that everyone was hoping to see is official and at the time of my writing this set to start in about a half hour. I am pumped to see these two teams square off, and am expecting a whole lot of bad blood between them, especially with Matthew Tkachuk stirring up trouble. Despite blowing a 3-1 lead and losing in 7 to the Panthers last year, the Bruins bounced back in the season series winning all four games, two of which went to overtime. The playoffs are a whole different beast though, and I think the key to this matchup is which of the ridiculously good goalies can stay hot the longest. Sergei Bobrovsky looked incredible in the Panthers first round win against the Lightning, including making one of the greatest saves of all time, but it was Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman who had the best first round with a 1.49 GAA and a .950 save percentage in 6 games. Swayman didn’t allow more than two goals in any games, but he also has never started six games in a row, which he’s about to do tonight. I don’t think that’s too big of a deal, but if Jim Montgomery and the Bruins overthink it and send out Ullmark at any point I think that would be a big mistake. This series feels like a total toss-up to me, but at the end of the day it’s tough to go against playoff Bobrovsky, so I’m banking on history repeating itself.
Ross: Panthers in seven.
Reese: Panthers in six
Stars vs. Avalanche
After falling down 0-2 through their first two games against Vegas, the Stars fought back to win in seven games in what was an absolute slugfest of a series between two of the top teams in the West. The concern here for Dallas is that they’re beaten down after their previous series, while things looked pretty easy for the Avalanche, who won four straight games to beat the Jets in five games. Avs goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who is Colorado’s biggest question mark in these playoffs, has been serviceable with a 3.03 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Nothing super special, but it’s going to be tough for the Stars to keep up with Colorado’s offense as Dallas averaged just 2.28 goals per game in the first round compared to Colorado’s insane 5.6 gpg. The Avs scored at least five goals in every game against the projected Vezina trophy winner, and while Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has been one of the best goalies in the postseason so far, Colorado’s offense has looked unstoppable.
Ross: Avalanche in six.
Reese: Dallas in seven.
Canucks vs. Oilers
The only two remaining Canadian teams are facing off in the second round, which makes it all the more likely that Canada’s Cup-less drought (a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since 1993) continues on for another year. I wasn’t able to watch too much of either of these teams’ series in the first round, so I’m hesitant to give too much analysis here, but I do know that Edmonton’s powerplay has been incredible so far. The Canucks took a lot of penalties, but also killed all but two of them off (20-22). However, no matter how good their powerplay is, if they take that many penalties against the Oilers they’re in for a long series, as Edmonton scored at a ridiculous 45% clip with the man advantage (9-20) and they didn’t let up any power play goals either. All in all, if I was a betting man it would be pretty tough to put my money on anyone but McDavid and Draisaitl, and I think the Oilers special teams led by those two are just too good for the Canucks. Having said that, regardless of who wins this series, I think the winner is going to get served up on a silver platter for whoever wins the Avs/Stars series.
Ross: Oilers in six.
Reese: Oilers in five