PLAYOFFS IN FULL SWING

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

Now that the playoffs are in full swing, I’ll be “juggling the lines” on What The Puck, as we shift our focus to covering each playoff matchup in every article.

Photo from NHL

1st Branch | Honda

Colorado Avalanche vs St Louis Blues (original prediction Avalanche in 5, current series record 3-0 Colorado)

I feel bad for the Blues who are a good hockey team, as the Avalanche are deadly, deep, and sudden, while their name perfectly encapsulates how it must feel to play against them. Nathan McKinnon has gotten extra hot at the right time, currently leading the playoffs in scoring with 7 points. As it's the playoffs it seems about time Nazem Kadri makes a bad hit for no apparent reason and indeed he did. For a hard hit on Justin Faulk, Kadri has been suspended for eight games and the NHL confirmed his previous history played a part in the ruling, as is the entire purpose of the repeat offender system. This did not stop Colorado from cruising to a 5-1 win and 3-0 series lead Friday night.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild (original prediction Knights in 7, current series record 2-1 Vegas)

This series has been tight as suspected to start with the games often dictated by swings in momentum, with both teams hanging their hat on their ability to be very disciplined. Look no further than game 3 where the Wild came out strong, outscoring the Golden Knights 2-0 and outshooting them 7-4 in the first period. Then the script was flipped drastically as the Knights controlled the next two periods scoring five unanswered and out shooting the Wild 36-9. Yet after three games, this could still go either way. The Wild were 12-3-3 against the Golden Knights in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs since Vegas entered the NHL in 2017-18, including 6-0-2 at home, meaning history may be on their side.

However, the Knights lead the series 2-1 and aren't going to go quietly; a task that just got taller for the Wild as Marcus Johansson broke his arm in the game 3 loss and is out for the foreseeable future. At least this provides a possible opportunity for Wild all-time leading playoff scorer Zach Parise back into the lineup. Mark Stone is a driving force to the success of the Golden Knights, and his influence on both ends continues to drive the success of Vegas since his arrival from the NHL’s favourite farm team.

2nd Branch | Discover

Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators (original prediction Hurricanes in 5, current series record 2-1 Carolina)

Credit to Nashville as they might be overmatched but they don't seem to care and have refused to get rolled by the Hurricanes. Filip Forsberg in particular has been a force (video HERE), but it hasn't been enough as the Hurricanes just keep coming and their suffocating style of play has allowed them to control games for long stretches. It seems like the Hurricanes are getting contributions from all over, namely Captain Jordan Staal, as the defensive stalwart put two to the twine in Carolina’s game 2 win. Paramount for both of these teams is opportunities in transition, so keep an eye on those changes on the way to this series being decided. Fun fact the Hurricanes last won a cup in 2006 where they were led in scoring by Jordan’s older brother Eric who now plays for Montreal. In a long tough double-overtime game the Predators pulled out 5-4 to stay off the chopping block.

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lighting (original prediction Lighting in 7, current series record 2-1 Tampa)

We're getting what we expected here: the tight hard-fought game between two straight-up Stanley Cup contenders. This has been one of the best series so far for sure, so if you're looking to watch an extra hockey game or two this week I'd recommend a game from this series. There has been plenty of offense as 7 of the top 15 game scores so far in these playoffs are from this series (led by Jonathan Huberdeau and Victor Headman of the Panthers and Lighting respectively). As always in a 2-1 series, but especially in this one, game four will have huge implications for the series. Lastly, continue to expect the chippy stuff, as these teams genuinely do not like each other.

3rd Branch | Scotia

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens (original prediction Leafs in 5, current series record 1-0 Montreal)

While that game one was not what I expected, but for the most part must have been what Montreal was hoping for. Montreal played a strong hounding physical game and kept the pressure on the Maple Leaf stars and puck handlers; when they did get through, Carey Price stood tall in the net causing frustrations in the Leaf players. Easily the worst of all, the Leafs Captain and star player John Tavares were injured (seemingly by accident) and after lying on the ice was taken off on a stretcher, clearly shaking the Leafs bench. Tavares has already left the hospital and been diagnosed with a concussion, he is out indefinitely. If the Leafs plan to get this series back on track they will need to generate far more transition opportunities, as their skill in the open ice is where they excel, especially considering the late-season swoon on the PP. Finishing their hits on the forecheck and taking those same hits to make breakout passes will be the ignitor for this potential boost.

Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets (original prediction Oilers in 6, current series record 2-0 Jets

If you thought Montreal executed their game plan you should have seen the Jets, who didn't let up on the Oilers all throughout game 1, keeping it physical and chippy especially with the Oilers stars. The Jets did a great job of hounding puck carriers in the neutral zone and collapsing on the defensive end to take away the passing lanes. Despite the final score of 4-1 Jets, the game was tight throughout as two of those Winnipeg goals were last-minute empty netters. The empty netters exemplify the game as despite the man advantage not once but twice the Jets disrupted the Oilers took the puck and scored on the empty net. Game 2 has just concluded with yet another tightly played game, as Paul Stastny buried an OT winner to give the Jets a 2-0 series lead. The Oilers are really going to need to find ways to keep possession and create good chances to get back in this series.

4th Branch | MassMutual

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders (original prediction Penguins in 6, current series record 2-1 Pittsburgh)

This series started off surprisingly with Seymon Varlamov suddenly out for game 1 for undisclosed reasons, leading to rookie goalkeeper Ilya Sorkin stepping in and proving to be up to the challenge stopping 39 shots in the Islanders game 1 4-3 win. In-game 2 Varlamov returned and after a bit of a shaky start where he let in two goals in the first period, he settled down and stopped all of the 43 shots the rest of the way. Despite this, the Islanders could not generate much offense losing 2-1. Game 3 was a whole different beast as Varlamov never got settled and allowed five goals on 27 shots, as the Penguins stopped two Islanders comebacks from deficits of 3-1 and 4-3 to hold on for a 5-4 win. Islanders coach Barry Trotz is apparently debating his options for game 4, personally despite Sorkin's impressive game 1 I think Varlamov is going to get the start, but he is likely on a short leash now. Interesting note the Penguins are being led by a big offensive centre but it's not usual suspects Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, its deadline acquisition Jeff Carter who leads the Penguins with three goals and four points so far.

Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins (original prediction Bruins in 7, current series record 3-1 Boston)

The Bruins officially have a stranglehold on this matchup as of Friday night’s convincing 4-1 victory. In a potentially series equalizing game, 4 Washington seemed overzealous and anxious, taking a handful of bad penalties which the Bruins capitalized on to the tune of three power-play goals. Funny enough Washington's only goal was also on the power play; these teams are very well matched at even strength. I doubt Washington is done just yet but they will have to be nearly perfect to get the Bruins off their necks. Boston really is a team built for playoff hockey and here they are once again proving it, as their experience, especially in the net, has been a huge difference-maker in the series.

Quick Hits

• Vancouver Canucks Coach Trent Green received a two-year extension despite the Canucks missing the playoffs. With this extension, the Head Coach's contract matches up with the remaining time on General Manager Jim Benning's contract. The 50-year-old ended his fourth season behind the Canucks bench this year having compiled 125-132-32 in 289 games since replacing Willie Desjardins in April 2017. Seems a clear signal from the team that these two are tied together and running out of time to turn it around.

• Keith Yandle sat for the first time since 2009 this week ending an impressive iron man streak of 979 consecutive games, including 57 in the playoffs; this streak was two behind Phil Kessel (wait really- I double checked I have the right hot dog lover) for the longest in NHL history. John Daly always did say “you can’t pull fat, that’s why I’m never injured.”. Of the decision Panther head coach Joel Quinvile said it was “extremely difficult” and that Yandle “For the most part the game was fine. But he handled it well. Not an easy decision to make and not easy for him, but he handled it like a great pro.” I always hate to see an iron man streak end credit to Yandle for handling it like the pro he is.

• Mark your calendars as the NHL has announced the draft lottery, which is used to determine the order of the first 16 picks and is set for June 2nd. This will be the first NHL draft process that includes the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's newest franchise who like Vegas have been given the third-best odds for the draft lottery; the Kraken is guaranteed no lower than the fifth pick, so they should be able to add an impact player from this solid class. The 2021 NHL Draft will be held virtually over two days. The first round will take place on Friday, July 23, followed by Rounds two-seven on Saturday, July 24.