The National Hockey League playoffs started on May 2nd, and I don’t think anyone could have guessed the events that would unfold in front of our very eyes as hockey fans. Of the 8 playoff series, only eight have wrapped up, and five are heading to a pivotal and deciding game 7. Yes, you heard that right, five-game 7’s are slated to happen either today or tomorrow.
With this amount of excitement happening around the league, I thought I’d take a look at the series that will be wrapping up, and who I have winning each. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and see which NHL teams will advance to the second round!
Tampa vs Toronto
Our beloved Tampa Bay Lightning have fought tooth and nail against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and on Saturday night, we finally get to see who is the superior club. Toronto has flexed their offensive muscles in this series, which has carried them to wins. However, defense and goaltending have been a problem for them at times, and if the Lightning expose that early on Saturday, there’s no doubt that Tampa Bay will advance.
Steven Stamkos, Anthony Cirelli, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point; all offensive superpowers who need to turn in their best game of the season against the Leafs tonight. Let’s not forget that the Maple Leafs are playing for much more than just a series win; they’re playing for their pride. Toronto hasn’t advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2004 and has become a laughingstock in that regard.
All in all, I think Toronto puts it all on the line tonight, and ends up with the W.
Final Verdict – Toronto advances
Boston vs Carolina
The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the NHL’s deadliest offensive teams this past season. When they drew the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, everybody thought this was going to be a cakewalk for the ‘Canes. It’s safe to say it hasn’t panned out the way they’d hoped. Mired by defensive inconsistencies, the Hurricanes have somehow ended up in a Game 7 against the Bruins, which is slated to start earlier in the afternoon.
Boston has flexed their playoff experience, and have laid the body throughout the series, forcing their way into the Hurricane’s offensive zone and scoring “greasy” goals. If I know anything as an NHL fan, it’s that Boston is going to come out firing tonight, throw their body around, and try to intimidate the Hurricanes. Can Carolina handle it? Only time will tell, but I have Boston taking this matchup.
Final Verdict – Boston advances
Los Angeles vs Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most disappointing teams of the past five years. It’s not that they’re a bad hockey club, quite the opposite in fact. The problem is that they have the two best hockey players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl on their roster, and yet they still haven’t made a deep playoff run.
Their first-round matchup against the L. A Kings has been a back and forth battle of the ages, which has seen Edmonton taken to seven games by the Kings. The Kings have relied on steady goaltending and solid defensively play to guide them and have upset the Oilers firing power in many of the games. In saying that, I don’t see how McDavid and Draisatl will let another game seven get by them, and I see them lighting it up tonight.
Final Verdict – Edmonton Advances
Pittsburgh vs New York
It’s tragic that Sidney Crosby has sustained an upper-body injury in this series, and will be out for quite some time. Crosby was leading his team to a series upset over the Rangers, but once he went down, you can almost feel the momentum shift through the TV screen. With Crosby gone, Pittsburgh must now rely on Evgeni Malkin and CO. to churn out a series win; but will it be enough?
The Rangers are like a cockroach; no matter what you throw at them they keep coming back for more and more. They are the most resilient team I’ve seen so far in these NHL playoffs, and I don’t see them allowing themselves to lose to a Crosby-less Penguins squad. In Game 7 the Rangers put their pride on the line and come away with a huge victory for the city of New York.
Final Verdict – New York advances
Calgary vs Dallas
This series has been a low-scoring snooze-fest. Here are two teams who look like they play as if they want the other team to win. I don’t get it. Game seven of this series will be decided by the team who wants it more; which doesn’t look like either team at the moment. If I had to choose, I’d say Dallas comes away with it, because Calgary are starting to look like some real choke artists right now.