Sorry everyone, I know Games 1 for two series have started before getting this out but better late than never.

Round 1 is done and boy it was everything as advertised and more. There were upsets and long series. No sweeps have happened so far this playoff and the best regular season team of all time and the defending Stanley Cup Champions were eliminated on the same night. Someone new for the first time since 2006 will hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. The parity is showing through and through and for that reason I believe the NHL has the best league in sports. 16 became 8. Let’s preview the matchups and who I think will become the Final Four.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Metropolitan Division Final

Carolina Hurricanes (1) vs. New Jersey Devils (2)

The Carolina Hurricanes managed to handle the Islanders in 6 games, but at what cost? “Everything” it seems. Svech has been out but during the course of their round 1 series they lost Jack Drury and Teuvo Teravainen, two needed pieces for this matchup. They were lacking at the deadline and it may be showing for this team. While the Carolina did lose two games, they seemed to have the driver seat for most of the way. They broke down at times but who doesn’t. The Islanders had one of the worst offensive performances in playoff history it seemed so that helps tremendously.

The Devils had a different, more competitive path. They managed to comeback after dropping two back-to-back in the Prudential Center to their bitter rival the New York Rangers. Everyone, including me, was telling people like James, “Wow you were right!” How could I even think they’d have a chance going back to MSG? The Devils found their game and they rode it for 3 games straight. They made the Rangers look like the fakers that they are. This is the New York Giants of Hockey folks. I don’t care that you have that star studded lineup, you don’t have the grit, the hunger and speed to handle these Devils. The Rangers managed to force Game 7 where they decided to quit playing hockey. That tee time the next day was more intriguing for them, I guess. The Devils won with their speed and tenacity, like they have all year.

Looking at this matchup and I am very intrigued. I think that Devils Goaltender Schmid earned his spot and his ability to maintain this play will be key for this matchup as the Hurricanes may not score much but they don’t give up much so if you have a chance to bury you need to be able to hold your lead. I am waiting for Timo Meier to score a damn goal, he’s been all over the ice, including physically after keeping his head down while entering the zone in Game 7. Keep your head up my dude. Hischier was a huge part of the success and will be looking to build off his finalist position for the Selke. Hurricanes need to find their scoring from elsewhere. I worry about that in this series. They are relentless on the forecheck and possession but if they can’t convert, they will be overwhelmed. Both of these teams like to push the offensive zone, but the Hurricanes are elite at managing their own end. The Hurricanes will need Aho to continue his scoring ways, but he needs help and fast. Looking at you Puljujarvi (who am I kidding). Goaltending wise I think we see Andersen in net given his strong performances, granted against awful competition.

Overall, I see the beat-up Hurricanes as too beat up to compete against this high flying, young, talented, and overwhelming Devils team. If the Canes had their boys back, I could see this being closer, but I think the valiant effort of the Canes will come to an end. I see Devils taking this in 5 games.

Atlantic Division Final

Toronto Maple Leafs (2) vs. Florida Panthers (WC 2)

The Boston Bruins, the “Best Regular Season Team in NHL History” was undone by Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers after going up 3-1 in the series. The Florida Panthers are riding a massive emotional wave and I would say they completed the biggest upset in NHL history for the 1st round. Matthew Tkachuk was allowed to run around and dominate the series, and he did, amounting to 11 points in the 7-game series. He’s the X-Factor and MVP for this squad given the fact that he’s offensively talented, elite defensively, and an absolute menace to play against. Goalie Bob came in and looked like his Vezina Trophy self and it mattered immensely for this team as well. The Panthers are playing with house money and that’s a scary position to be in for the opposition.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are being previewed in the SECOND round for the first time since 2004. They are out of prison and looking swell. They were outplayed in many games this past series against the Lightning, but their goaltending held up and big boys stepped up when they needed to the most. Ilya Samsonov looked shaky at times but definitely gave the Leafs a chance to win every night, except game 1. Mitch Marner has 11 points and Matthews has amassed 9 points; this is a recipe for success for this Leafs team. I would argue the Leafs have the higher end star power in this matchup, even if the depth of the Florida Panthers is deeper. I think deploying Bunting correctly could help offset some of the damage that Tkachuk will cause but he needs to keep his head as well.

I was wrong about this Florida Panthers team. That said I think they will have their hands full again with the likes of a free and flying Maple Leafs team. The Leafs need to find a way to manage their Tkachuk problem. He can single handedly impact your ability to win games, he’s just that good. I think the goaltending matchup is very equal, maybe I give a slight edge to Samsonov but that’s by maybe a hair. The top end talent in Toronto needs to continue to grow and carry this team because the depth may have a tough time managing this Panthers team. Both teams are carrying emotional feelings, and both have issues defensively at times. They both can score at will and to me, I can see this series going the distance and have at least 5-6 goals scored a night. For me, the Leafs have an edge on paper, but we saw how far that got me. I will take Leafs in 7.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division Final

Dallas Stars (2) vs. Seattle Kraken (WC 1)

The Dallas Stars handled the Wild quite easily it seemed, to an extent. Jake Oettinger found the magic that almost won them the series against the Calgary Flames last year. The difference this year is that they have the scoring prowess. Yes, the Stars can score. Hintz was electric, Robertson was a scoring robot, Tyler Seguin found a way to bring his hold self-back, and Miro Heiskanen was a monster on the back end. The Stars found confidence down the stretch, even after losing a fan favorite Joe Pavelski to a brutal hit in Game 1. Jason Robertson will be asked to do just a little bit more and I think the return of Pavelski brings a much-needed piece to this lineup. Oettinger has a top SV% 5 on 5 and the Dallas Stars powerplay is 2nd in the playoffs behind only one other elite PP team.

The Seattle Kraken bounced the defending cup champions. I had said I thought the Avalanche were healthy enough, they weren’t. The Seattle Kraken come at you in waves. They are relentless and when they are down, they don’t quit, ever. Yanni Gourde is leading the scoring charge with 6 points in 7 games. Their scoring ways all up and down the lineup is continuing and that makes them very dangerous. They have a threat to score with anyone on the ice. The Kraken are playing with house money and again that is a danger. Philip Grubauer has been electric, finding his best game in years. To bounce his former team from 2 years ago probably brought him a lot of confidence as well. He may not have the numbers like Oettinger but boy he managed to keep his team in every game against the Avalanche.

I like this matchup a lot because I think we could see this go the distance simply due to the unwillingness to back down by either team. I give the goaltending edge to Dallas as Oettinger on his game is a brick wall, with no disrespect to the way Grubauer has played. The Dallas Stars are a better team in the top 6, without a doubt. The depth of these teams may be among the best of the teams left in the playoffs. The depth of the Kraken makes them so hard to play against. The Dallas Stars top guys need to feast this series and hold their leads. I will not underestimate the Kraken’s ability to push this series to the brink and I hope it goes long, very long. Stars can play unstoppable hockey and that to me is enough to give them the edge in a 7-game series. I truly hope we see another night like Game 1. Stars in 7.

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2)

The Golden Knights were the only team who managed to bump their opponents in less than 6 games, needing only 5 after giving up Game 1. Must admit I thought this would go longer after Game 1, but my prediction was correct. The Jets had no pushback and were too banged up. The Knights had pretty easy work, but they are such a good team. They forecheck like crazy and are relentless. Jack Eichel has looked decent in his first playoff, but I expect he will look to do more as he is up against the one guy who was drafted ahead of him in 2015. Mark Stone’s return has been nothing but incredible and he brings such an energy to that lineup. Laurent Brossoit had a very good series against the Jets and will be playing his former team in a huge matchup. Granted the offensive firepower of the Oilers is much different than the Jets. He will need to stand on his head.

The Edmonton Oilers did not make quick work of their opponent but did manage to win in 6 games after going down 2-1 and coming back in Game 4 in shocking fashion. Leon Draisaitl was the best player on the ice the entire series. It wasn’t until Game 4 that he wasn’t on the ice for an Oiler goal. Connor McDavid was not as impactful but Philip Danault had a lot to do with that and there’s speculation he’s banged up. He still amassed 10 points. The depth scoring for the Oilers won them the series. 18 players have registered a point which laughs at the critics who say the Oilers are the McDraisaitls…they aren’t. Stu Skinner had a rough series but held his own. The Rookie played his heart out but will need to be better to beat this better Vegas Golden Knights team.

This series scares me but excites me as an Oiler fan. If you aren’t a hockey fan yet, please do yourself a favor and watch this series, it will make a hockey fan I assure you. For me, the Golden Knights need to stay out of the box because the Oiler powerplay is producing at an eye watering 56.3%. They are the least penalized team in the league so they will need to keep that going. The Oilers will need to adjust quickly to a team that is faster, more aggressive, and less structured than the Kings. They will be pushed and will need to exit their zone much faster this time around. The Knights will be in for their own rude awakening as the Oilers are a much much better team than the Jets are. As an Oiler fan, I like to think the shock of the Oilers will overwhelm the Knights and if the depth scoring can continue and we get decent enough goaltending, we should manage this Knights team. It will not be easy but I see Oilers in 6.

NHL Playoff Preview: Round 2