StandingO

The most glorious time of year is upon us – playoff hockey. Two months of grind it out punch you in your face hockey where every shift is played like the final minutes. Boys become men and more importantly the beards come out to play. 

As always, this year’s first round matchups are no joke as we get right into the playoff type atmosphere with the clashing of some big time rivals. So let’s get into the matchups and predictions which nobody asked for but you know I don’t care. 

Eastern Conference

Bruins vs. Hurricanes

This matchup might be the hardest one to call. Both teams head into the playoffs currently having some question marks that could lead to them falling in the first round. I really like what the Bruins have in net with Swayman but it will be interesting if the successful start to his young career translates into the playoffs. However, he is going to need to be rock solid if the Bruins continue to have struggles putting the puck in the net. On the other side, the Hurricanes question marks solely rely on who is in blue paint. They made a big offseason move in acquiring Freddie Anderson for the hopes he could be a more reliable and solid goaltender in net for the playoffs, because they do have a good enough team in front of him to contend. The only problem is now he is hurt and won’t be available to start. Is it really fair to put your trust in a team who is rolling out Anti Raanta in the playoffs? Maybe.. But maybe not. In the end I do believe the hurricanes have a solid enough team that can stick to the fundamentals and cover up the issues in net for the meantime. 

Pick: Hurricanes in 7

Penguins vs. Rangers

When I was talking about big rivalries in the first round this was one of them. The Penguins surprised a lot of people this year, myself included, and should be given their credit heading into this first round. The same goes for the Rangers. All of their past season moves have finally started to click and gel and now are rewarded with their first postseason team since 2017 and carrying with them a 50 goal scorer. I’m intrigued to see how the young talent on the Rangers squad handles the pressure of the playoffs and playing in front of the packed Madison Square Garden crowd. But, maybe they won’t have to fully live up to the expectations right off the bat if Igor Shesterkin continues to be a brick wall in net. I have a hard time betting against Crosby and Malkin in the playoffs though. Doesn’t matter what team they have assembled around them. But in this series I am gonna go against my better judgment.

Pick: Rangers in 5

Capitals vs. Panthers

The Panthers are good. Like really really good. But their style of play may favor them more in the regular season than the playoffs. We know the Caps will always be a tough out as long as they have their core of Ovechkin, Backstrom, Wilson and Kuznetsov. If Bobrovsky can figure out a way to actually play a somewhat decent goalie position during the playoffs it could be scary. If not, Spencer Knight may need to jump in again and stand on his head. But that’s asking a lot. And when you look at who is in the other net there ain’t much there to be confident in and it may take quite an effort from the Capitals core to carry them to the second round and pull off the upset.

Pick: Panthers in 5 

Lightning vs. Maple Leafs

Toronto and the playoffs, lol. A match made in heaven for all us non toronto fans to bring yearly entertainment and enjoyment. In Toronto’s defense, this could actually be the team to break the spell. But then again I think we say that every year. And they get no easy matchup to end the suffering. If something continues to work, what makes you think it will stop? Two straight Stanley Cups is enough proof for me to believe that it can be done again with a very similar team still intact. And at this point I don’t even know what to say for Toronto. Their biggest key is just figuring out how to not choke. A battle of a team with proven success during the playoffs versus one who has a reputation for falling flat on their face; I’ll take the proven success until Toronto shows me otherwise.

Pick: Lightning in 6

Western Conference

Predators vs Avalanche

I am a little worried for Nashville. And to be honest it’s probably more than just a little. If they have any hopes of not being embarrassed they need Juuse Saros in net. Even with him I still don’t think this is close. To be fair, I’m not even sure it’s close for any other team against Colorado either. Darcy Keumper needs to lay an egg for the Avalanche to not roll their way into the finals this year. With that said, Nashville cant have an off night from any line or d pairing if they hope to steal a game or two. That’s hard to expect in the NHL and especially playing against Colorado.

Pick: Avalanche in 5

Blues vs. Wild

Do the Blues absolutely own the Wild right now? Yes. Do I care? No… Well, maybe a little bit. It’s hard to look past the 1-12-1 in the last 14 and think things will magically change. But it’s the playoffs and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. The Wild need the special teams to change if they want to make it out of the first round for the first time since 2015. These two teams play a very similar style of hockey. Fast and physical. And that will only intensify during the playoffs. There will be blood during this series and I look forward to it. A two goalie tandem may favor the Wild here if either one scuffles.. But we have also seen a one goalie rotation steal the series for the Blues against the Wild before. And that goalie happens to now be the backup. I honestly have no clue who survives and advances here. But you know I can’t go against my hometown team.

Pick: Wild in 7 

Stars vs Flames

This might be one of the more underrated matchups of the first round. The Flames are fast and highly skilled whereas the Stars like to play physical and grind you out. I really like what the Flames have put together. Their lineup is solid, they have depth and they have a solid goaltender on the backend. The Stars young talent will need to continue to shine to knock off the Flames. They will also need to figure out which goaltender can step up and play solid playoff hockey for them. Maybe neither of them can and we will find that out. I just see the skill of the Flames being too much for the Stars to counter in a best of 7 series.

Pick: Flames in 5

Kings vs Oilers

The Kings are a bit of a surprise here making the playoffs. You could say they have arrived at the playoff scene a season or two ahead of schedule. They have a good mix of veteran talent and young guns. The question is, do their veterans have one more 2014 Stanley Cup push in them? They are stacked up against a talented Oilers squad. Edmonton is also another tough team to put your money on when they have proven nothing in the playoffs in recent years. You would expect a team led by McDavid and Draisitl to carry a team to the finals but that just hasn’t happened. Turns out you need more than that during a grueling playoff run. Oh and they have a big question mark lingering over them. They have a guy by the name of Mike Smith in net who is 1-9 in his last 10 playoff games. With that said, I think their talent alone can carry them over the Kings who just don’t quite have enough knockout power in them.

Pick: Oilers in 6