PLAY-OFFS!

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

1st Branch - Progress

Well, it is official, ladies and gentlemen, a human being has been signed to play NHL hockey for the Seattle Kraken. In their first-ever player transaction this Wednesday, the Kraken agreed to a three-year entry-level deal with free-agent centre Luke Henman. The 21-year-old will participate in rookie camp with the Kraken when they become the 32nd team in the NHL at the beginning of next season. Henman is the captain of Blainville-Boisbriand in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and was a fourth-round pick (No. 96) of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Regarding the deal, Henman said, "I'm extremely excited, and I can't wait to get to work. It's a huge honour, and I couldn't be more excited". It is odd but enjoyable to see the Kraken start to make moves, and there's plenty of intrigue to come in Seattle from their coaching search to the expansion draft.

Luke Henman; Source: The Athletic | Photo from Getty Images

2nd Branch - Penance

The New York Rangers announced the dismissal of Head Coach David Quinn after three seasons (96-87-25, 0-3 in playoffs), officially finishing their clean-up as they fired both their President and General Manager last week. This was a classic wholesale spring cleaning. Along with Quinn, key assistants David Oliver, Jacques Martin and Greg Brown were all let go as well, leaving Goalie Coach Benoit Allaire (Inventor of the "Hybrid" \ style of goaltending, utilizing both the classic and butterfly styles ad-hoc) as the only assistant to avoid the chopping block. This represents the last step in the dismantling of the 2014 Rangers, who made the Stanley Cup final, leaving the lone player left from that roster in the form of Chris Kreider.

The search for a new Head Coach is already underway and will be conducted by new general manager Chris Drury. Multiple veteran options are believed to be in the running for the job, including Gerard Gallant (who the Rangers were granted permission by the Vegas Golden Knights to interview), Patrick Roy or former Rangers head coach John Tortorella whose six-year tenure in Columbus ended last week. Gallant's experience with leading the expansion Golden Knights to lofty successes early in their timeline bodes well for his potential to lead the Rangers back to relevance early in a rebuild.

3rd Branch - Playoff Preview

The playoffs are almost here, and the matchups are set, as discussed on this week's Tree's Three featuring special guest Katie Caldwell. Without further ado, let's break 'em down!

Honda Division

Series 1

Colorado Avalanche over St Louis Blues

This will be a more interesting series than many think, as it seems different experts have unanimously picked the Colorado Avalanche to win the series. While I do indeed think that is the case and the Avalanche will come out ahead, the Blues are a well-rounded team who have made plenty of noise in the playoffs before as an underdog. Even with Blues Captain Ryan O'Reilly's confidence, I'm doubtful his words will end up as anything more than just bulletin board material for the Avalanche. It seems likely that the Avalanche's outstanding two-way play and ability to control the ice, which leads to them being this season's president trophy winners, will prove too much for the Blues.

- Official prediction - Avalanche in 5

Series 2

Las Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild

As was discussed on this week's Tree's Three, this is a tight series and could go either way, but it does seem that the Las Vegas Golden Knights have a bit of an edge. The Golden Knights were barely bested by the Colorado Avalanche for the President's Trophy and had the best goal differential in the league at +67. In the regular season, the Wild were 5-1-2 against the Golden Knights but were outscored 24-23, leaving what I believe to be a lot more questions than answers. As mentioned by guest analyst Katie Caldwell, the Knights were hoping to play a team other than the Wild based off the aforementioned sample but did not get their wish after Colorado finished the year on a 5-game win streak to edge Vegas for the division's top spot. While I would not be terribly surprised to see the Wild upset the Golden Knights, I think the Golden Knights Play a really good brand of hockey, especially for the way the playoffs are officiated. Tree's Three BUMP of the week, Dylan Sikura highlights the value of strong organizational depth, so keep an eye out for potential difference-makers up and down both benches.

- Official Prediction - Golden Knights in 7

Discover Division

Series 1

Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators

A lot of people aren't paying attention to this series, but they should be, as mentioned on Tree's Three this week. The Nashville Predators are coming into the playoffs hot, having won their last two games and being 7-1-2 in their last 10. Yet Carolina finished first in this division for a reason, having the best goal differential and allowing the fourth-least goals in the league, while playing strong on the road. Put that together with a Nashville Predators team that very well might have the worst offence in the playoffs. It seems that Carolina's ability to control style and speed of play will allow them to dictate the series; overall, I'm going to have to go against Tree's Three despite the heat coming off the Predators.

- Official Prediction - Canes in 5

Series 2

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lighting

I think this was the toughest one for me to pick. A lot is going on here. Florida is coming into this series, having won their last six games, including two against Tampa. Overall the Panthers have proven themselves to have a changed culture now thinking of themselves as contenders under head coach and multiple-time Stanley cup winner Joel Quenneville. Well, the Tampa Bay Lighting seems surprisingly underscored given their strong regular season despite injuries and their status as reigning Stanley cup champs. Add that they are getting Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov back starting game one. This is a series I'm definitely excited for and, honestly, the one I'm least confident picking a winner in. I think the series depends on the health and integration of the above-mentioned Lightning stars back into their line-up. If this is done quickly, the integration adds yet another level to the elite Tampa Bay offence. However, if Kuch and Stammer are not playing at 100% and/or it messes with team chemistry, it could have a catastrophic effect on the series.

- Official Prediction - Panthers Lighting in 7

Scotia Division

Series 1

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens

While I don't think this series will be as lopsided as some, I don't think it's looking good for the Canadiens right about now. The Toronto Maple Leafs won this division and had 11 more wins than the Montreal Canadiens this season, collecting 15/20 possible points in the head-to-head. This looks like a series where depth will play a big role, especially now that both these teams seem quite healthy. The Leafs have made some great additions in the past year, namely Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, and deadline darling \ Nick Foligno. Add this to the fact that the Leafs have been trying to get more experience and a chippier element to the line up, this is not a team to underestimate despite recent playoff letdowns. In the first matchup since 1979 between these two teams, the pressure is on the Maple Leafs to deliver. Key stat: The Leafs' regular-season goal differential + 41, while the Canadiens' sit at a paltry -9.

- Official Prediction - Leafs in 5

Series 2

Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets

Offence, offence, and offence will be the story here as these teams can score and don't seem to have much interest in playing hard defence. With this one, I both agree and disagree with the comments from Trees 3, and in the sense that I agree, I don't think this series will be as long and as hard-fought, as people say, as I really think that somehow someway Conner McDavid and company will find a way through (perhaps even finding another gear in the process). If this was a different time, I would very well have a different answer, but it's not, and the Jets have been struggling recently, so it's hard to see an area of the ice where they really have an advantage. Just look at their last ten games, where the Jets have gone 2-8, and the Oilers have gone 8-2. If Winnipeg is going to pull out in this series, they will need a strong performance from goaltender Conner Hellebuyck or Oilers goaltender Mike Smith to fall apart. Often in the playoffs, it's the hotter team, not the better team that wins. I'm not sure which of these teams is better, but I know the Oilers are much hotter.

- Official Prediction - Oilers in 6

MassMutual Division

Series 1

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders

Another very interesting series but in a different way, as it seems that instead of the team being able to get tops being the winner, I think in this series it will be the team that is able to generate the most high-quality chances that will pull things out. At this point, I am just going to assume you watched this week's Trees three, and you know Seymon Varlamov is a straight-up murderer, and he might just kill the Pittsburgh Penguins chances of winning this series if he catches fire between the pipes. It is no surprise the Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the NHL this year, but now they must deal with the team who scored the second most. If that's not enough, the Penguins are coming in hot, having gone 8-2 in their last 10. The series really seems like it can only go one of two ways. Either the Penguins' constant offence generation will break down the Islanders' defensive base system and score early goals, allowing them to take the advantage. Alternatively, The Islanders' defence and shot-blocking will break down enough of the Penguins' chances that it will frustrate their players, causing them to overthink and overcomplicate their offence, allowing the advantage to the Islanders.

- Official Prediction - Penguins in 6

Series 2

Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins

After Panthers/Lightning, this is the matchup I had the most trouble with. The Capitals have an elite offence (4th on the season), have experience from a Cup Championship not that long ago, and boast a generational talent in Alexander Ovechkin, who everybody knows would love to add another cup to his already Hall of Fame quality resume. The Bruins thrive in defensive situations (ironically 4th best defensive team on the season), and well are the Bruins we have all gotten to know over the last decade. They play tough, physical and intelligent hockey, often wearing down their opponents in the playoffs. Like Conner, this is quite possibly the playoff series I'm most excited for, as we have Brad Marchand and Tom Wilson, two of the biggest pests in the game. To add another wrinkle, seeing Zdeno Chara going against the team he captained would only add to the storyline and intrigue. Lastly, we have two completely different style's of generational talents in Patrice Bergeron and Alexander Ovechkin leading their respective squads, while in their eight head-to-head games this season, the Capitals were 4-4, and the Bruins were 4-2-2; it's going to be a hard-fought series, and it could go either way.

- Official Prediction - um ah ok Bruins in 7

Quick Hits

• Well, the NHL regular season is officially in the books for pretty much everybody (sorry, Scotia North division) and let's check in on the Alexander Ovechkin goal scoring chart. Ovi finished the season with 24 goals (in 45 games). He now has 730 career goals, one back of Marcel Dione for fifth place all-time and 11 and 36 goals from passing Brett Hall and Jaromir Jagr, respectively, to crack the top three. 36 goals seem quite obtainable, assuming a normal schedule and a healthy Ovi.

• Paul Stastny silver stick - Shout out Winnipeg Jets Centerman for earning his silver stick on Tuesday this week playing in his 1000th NHL game. He's surprisingly the first member out of his famous hockey family to earn the silver stick in the NHL. In a quality hockey moment, the Jets coach Paul Maurice started Stastny and moved him to center from his customary spot on the left wing to let him take the opening faceoff. Stastny skated the first shift on a line with Blake Wheeler and Nate Thompson, who rank No. 2 and No. 3 on the Jets in career games played. What a nice way to honour some of your team's leaders.

• Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty expressed his frustrations at this season's result in a recent press conference, saying the team needs to prioritize improving the roster in the offseason. Doughty specifically said, "There's no point just waiting for these prospects to develop when you've got guys in their prime, guys that are hungry to win and guys that are sick of losing so, yeah, we've got to bring guys in." It seems clear that changes are needed in Los Angeles one way or another. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end for some long-time Kings.