The NHL Playoffs are here. After an 82 game slug of regular season game, 16 teams have qualified for the playoffs. Format is simple, if not divisive. Each division has 3 qualified teams and each Conference has 2 Wildcard teams consisting of the next best in the conference after the divisions. #1 in each Conference Plays the #2 Wildcard Team, the other divisional winner plays #1 Wildcard team. #2 and 3 in each division play each other. This playoff is set to be incredible. Objectively, I truly believe that the NHL has the best Round 1 playoffs in all of sports and so I highly recommend you tune it on the stations of ESPN and TNT/TBS. The path to the Cup has begun.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes (1) vs. New York Islanders (WC 1)

The Carolina Hurricanes finished a healthy 51-21-9 with 113 points to qualify as the top team in the Metro. While they were defensive darlings, ranking 2nd in goal against on the year and a 147.7 expected goal against, vs the league average 176.3, they offensively struggled at times. They ranked middle of the pack at 15th, but again, only 16 teams qualified. Center Martin Necas put together a solid season with 71 points, leading the team. While the team has depth, game breakers are limited here. Andre Svechnikov is out for the playoffs as well. The depth will need to step up to find the back of the net. Powerplay sits below league average, but offset by a strong PK% of 84.4%. Goaltending has been solid enough, putting together a team .907 SV%. Freddie Andersen recorded an okay .903 SV%. All 3 goalies played a decent amount of games so this will be the definition of riding the hot hand for coach Rod Brind’Amor. I think the net will be shared by the more experienced Andersen and Raanta.

The New York Islanders grinded their way to the playoff spot. Most of us back near Christmas were questioning if this team could find the scoring to get back into playoffs. The Islanders are built for playoff style hockey. Low scoring, low event games, where they patiently wait for their opportunities but completely look to stifle any opportunities against. Ranked 5th in goals against but a measly 23rd in goals for. The acquisition of Bo Horvat should really help this team contend in this series. Matt Barzal seems like he will be back as well, which is a huge injection of life into this Islanders squad. The offense will need to step up as unit, all the way through, if they are to move anywhere this spring. Goaltending wise, if you have heard me on the podcast, the Islanders are set. Ilya Sorokin put together a monster .924 SV% season with a modest 2.34 GAA. Sorokin gave this team a chance every night and that is what you can ask for from your goaltending. Varlamov stepped in and put up some solid numbers too. Islanders just need to find twine.

The Carolina Hurricanes on paper and by the “eye test” for most of the season are the better team. However, this Islanders squad is built for playoff style hockey. Sorokin can steal a game or two which is all the Islanders really need. The Hurricanes lack scoring as well and without Svech, I wonder how deep this team can go. We could see this being a tough series but at the end of the day, I have to give my prediction to the Canes in 6 games.

New Jersey Devils (2) vs. New York Rangers (3)

The New Jersey Devils had an incredible season, and an even better month of November. They put together a 13-game winning streak, which alone probably qualified them for playoffs. Jack Hughes had his breakout season, recording 99 points at the young age of 21. Nico Hischier followed behind, and turned a fantastic season that will earn him some Selke Votes this year. Take that Eric. Dougie Hamilton putting up 74 points helps tremendously. The trade deadline saw this team acquire power forward Timo Meier, who will be such a great addition to this team. This team has always been one where analytically they were awesome but they just lacked a save. This year they got those saves. Vitek Vanacek put up solid numbers over 52 GP, recording a .911 SV%. When you are this analytically strong, you will win games with that SV%. I expect this team to turn some heads for the first time in a long while.

Just 13 miles away, the New York Rangers put together a great season, just a handful of years after they sent a letter to the fans explaining the rebuild. This version of the Rangers has star power above star power. Artemi Panarin is rejoined by once teammate and long-time Blackhawk, Patrick Kane. They sit alongside Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Vince Trocheck, and Chris Kreider. This team has a lot of notable names, and not just because they are the Rangers. Sitting with a strong 24.1% PP and an above average 81.2% PK is a good sign for this team. Igor Shesterkin had his ups and downs but still recorded a strong .916 SV%. He has shown us what he is made of, albeit he didn’t look as sharp last Spring. He will need to step up for this matchup.

This is a divisional matchup we were waiting for. The Rangers vs their little brother the Devils. The Devils speed are a thing to watch here. How will the Rangers be able to handle the sheer speed of this team? I think the Rangers improved toughness is a thing to watch on their end. There is a lot of skill and star power on this Rangers squad, yet the speed of the Devils makes me think this series could go the distance. I predict that goaltending will be the difference, and so I predict Rangers in 7.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Florida Panthers (WC 2)

The Boston Bruins just broke a number of records and rattled off an unexpected best season in NHL history. 65 wins passes the Red Wings (62) from 96 and Lightning (61) from 2019. They accumulated 135 points, beating their bitter rivals in Montreal, who recorded a 132 point season in 1977. The goal differential of +128 was +62 better than the next best team. Linus Ulmark put together an incredible .931 SV%. In a world without Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak wins the Hart with his 113 point season, where he scored 61 goals. Brad Marchand is looking great and Patrice Bergeron doesn’t even need an introduction. Hampus Lindholm will get Norris love as he has brought great things to this Bruins team. The question for them is, can they be the first President’s Trophy team to win since 2013, and the 9th ever to do it? These teams haven’t been the best analytically in the first couple rounds. Last time we saw a team make the 3rd round was the 2015 Rangers.

Florida went from the President’s Trophy team to barely squeaking out a spot all together. I hope they sent the Penguins some “Thank You” cards. This team took a step back after they traded Huberdeau and Weeger. We wondered how they would look. It started quite ugly. I thought they would be sitting on the outside some the spring, but their incredible run towards the end of the season propelled them into the playoff spot. Playing palyoff hockey going into the playoffs could bode well for this team. Alex Lyon also came in and saved this season, putting up a .912 SV% in 15 games, where he won 9 of those. Goalie Bob will not start. Matthew Tkachuck put together an incredible season and will earn Hart Trophy votes. 109 points. I applaud his efforts to try and will this team to victory every night.

This seems like a pretty uneven matchup. The Bruins should easily take care of business. However, the last time we had a magical regular season run (Tampa Bay in 2019) they were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hockey is weird. That said, I think we will see Florida take one game in this series and Boston moves on in a gentleman’s sweep. Bruins in 5.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (3)

Toronto has been a great team this year. The noise has been awfully quiet all season, a good thing for the Leafs. Mitch Marner fell 1 point shy of 100 points, and the injured Matthews took a step back from his magical season last year. The entire team all came together though and there was never a worry that this team would make it. They just won the games they needed to and that was more than enough. I questioned the goaltending issues but Ilya Samsonov proved there was nothing to worry about. In 40 stars, he recorded a .919 SV%, more than enough for this deep Leafs team. The mental roadblock is my biggest question mark for this team. They have the tools but can they use them effectively.

The Lightning have had their worst season in a long while. They stumbled out of the gate early, losing 8 of 12 and getting bullied by crap teams. They allowed of scoring to their opponents, uncharacteristic of this dynasty team. Their expected goals against is well above average, which isn’t a good stat to have going into playoffs. We though they could turn the switch on before the end of the regular season, but they really didn’t. Will the switch turn on at all?

I think betting against Tampa is dumb. Until otherwise, you can’t count out the Bolts. You also have seen the mental breakdowns that the Leafs have experienced over the years and this is a set up for another repeat of last year. That said, I think the Bolts are exhausted. They have played more hockey than anyone for 4 years now and I think the Bolts will see their scoring dry up. Vasy will look human, even in an elimination game. Leafs in 6, they need to finish in 6 because a game 7 plays 100% into the Bolts favor.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division

Colorado Avalanche (1) vs. Seattle Kraken (WC 1)

The Avalanche started out with a hangover and the season was not quite as smooth as their season last year. The team definitely righted the ship in the middle of the season and their push in the month of March and April pushed them into the top spot, almost taking 1st in the West. Injuries were the problem for this team. Gabe Landeskog was out and will miss the playoffs. The Avs also missed Byram, Lehkonen, Nate Dawg, Josh Manson, Nichushkin, and Cale Makar at some point during this season. They battled through all of it and it’s a wonder how healthy they can be for this playoff run. They start this postseason with a different goaltender for a 3rd straight season. Alex Georgiev put together a great season with a .918 SV%. Winning the division may really help this team in the long run.

The Seattle Kraken Kraked the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, just their 2nd year in. This team played so well and completely under a committee approach. No player is the sole reason for this teams success. No player had more than 70 points, but 18 players all contributed at least 20 points and 13 gave us double digit goals. Unlike last year, they got a save, in some cases. Goaltending, while better, is still a big question mark for this team. The team is very fun to watch. They are fast and hungry for every puck. This team could very well be a team that can upset in this postseason.

I think the reality is the Avalanche will be healthy enough to compete here. They are up against a team that is fast and playing with house money, which is a recipe for an upset. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised by an upset. I am paid to be bold on this podcast and I am going to say the Kraken push the Avs to a 6 game series, but the Avalanche will prevail.

Dallas Stars (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (3)

The Dallas Stars are a scary team with Jake Oettinger in the net. That’s nightmare fuel. The Dallas Stars found the scoring this year to support their incredible goaltender this season. They ranked 7th in goals for and 3rd in goals against. That is an excellent step up from last season’s offensive numbers. Jason Robertson put together a fantastic breakout season with 109 points. Jamie Benn found his stride in a big way with his 78 point season. They have an above average special teams rating and present strong possession numbers. This Dallas team is definitely better than they were last year. They found the scoring to couple with the goaltending.

The Minnesota Wild overcame their struggles of losing Kirill Kaprizov for the entire last month of the season. They found their goaltending later in the season as both Fleury and Gustavsson allowed the Wild to stay in every game without the likes of Kirill in the lineup. They found other scoring from the likes of Matt Boldy. Without Kirill, they were scoring 3.71 goals per game, good for 8th in the NHL. If they can keep this up, expect a long series for the Wild. The Wild are also built to be tough and prickish to play against, the kind of hockey that can send you far.

I find this matchup fascinating and quite evenly matched. Both teams have had their issues with scoring in their history but both improved on that metric throughout the season. Kirill vs Robertson will be a fun matchup as well. Overall, I think that the Oettinger nightmare will be the difference maker and Stars will clean up in 6 games.

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Winnipeg Jets (WC 2)

The playoff drought for the Knights is over…after one long season’s wait. They were healthier and we saw Jack Eichel at his healthiest since joining the Knights and he did not disappoint. The entire lineup stepped up and got it done by committee, that’s how the Knights work. They have 20 players more than 10 points, 12 more than 10 goals, and have 5 goaltenders with at least 2 wins. They literally brought everyone in to make this happen. Losing Mark Stone was a huge loss, but they overcame. Adding Jon Quick in the deadline will be interesting story line as well. Jack Eichel will play in his first every playoff series.

Winnipeg Jets were a force at some point in the season and could have been considered the best team in the West. Since then, they have struggled mightily throughout the entire back half and if it wasn’t for their strong start, would probably be on the outside. They have struggled to constantly score goals, ranking 16thin scoring chances per 60, 20th in shots per game and are bottom third in high-danger goals per 60. They struggle on the PP as well. They are not dangerous offensively. Connor Hellebuyck has saved this season as he has put together another great season. Can he save them again against a team that can find the back of the net quite regularly?

Connor Hellebuyck will have his hands full and will need his team to get him a damn goal. I just don’t know if this Winnipeg group has the right group to find enough scoring. The Knights have played very well and I think the Jets will fall yet again, failing to win their first playoff series yet again. Vegas in 5.

Edmonton Oilers (2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (3)

The Edmonton Oilers are the most dangerous offensive team in the NHL. They just finished putting together the single best Power Play in NHL History. Since March 1, they are 18-2-1 and have led the league in scoring will allowing the 8th fewest goals in that time. They found their defense and goaltending down the stretch. Their addition of Mattias Ekholm could very well be the best deadline transaction this season. They have not 1, not 2, but 3 100-point scorers in McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins. The question for them is, can the Oilers defense and goaltending continue?

The LA Kings had some major issues at the goaltending position early but after promoting Pheonix Copley, he saved their season early. They traded away Quick to bring in Korpisalo and it helped LA become a dangerous team down the stretch. They have seen offensive contributions all over the lineup and their underlying D show they are top 10 in scoring chances allowed per 60, shots allowed per 60, and higher danger chances allowed per 60. Their goaltending experience in net is limited but we have seen them steal games too. Can they also stay healthy enough to manage this high octane Oilers team?

Connor McDavid has a different vibe about him and has all season. His taste of playoff hockey ended too short for him last season and everyone should tune in to watch his performance this time around. The Oilers goaltending will continue, their D will continue, and that alone will be enough to move on to the 2nd round. Oilers in 6.

Weekly Draft Lottery Simulator

This week, the draft simulator shows Columbus winning the Connor Bedard sweepstakes yet again, jumping 1 spot ahead of the Ducks. The Ducks have really bad luck and fall 2 spots.

NHL Playoff Preview: Divisional Round 1