Post by Nashville Predators on Apr 7, 2019 13:45:40 GMT -5
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (WC2) Columbus Blue Jackets
TBL: 62-16-4, +103 goal differential
CBJ: 47-31-4, +26 goal differential
Storyline:
With the likely impending departures of star players Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, the Columbus Blue Jackets went all in at the trade deadline this season in an effort to bring a Stanley Cup to Columbus. Their reward - a first round match-up against the Lightning, who just tied the single season wins record, have the likely Hart and Vezina winners, and three 40 goal scorers. Will the Lightning roll over Columbus or do the loaded up Blue Jackets give Tampa more than they can handle
Player(s) to Watch: Sergei Bobrovsky
His career playoff stats are not great (3.49 GAA, 0.891 SV%), but he has two Vezina trophies to his name. He will need to play like old Bob if the Jackets have any chance at beating the Lightning
Prediction: Columbus puts up a fight, but Tampa wins in 6
(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs
BOS: 49-24-9, +44 goal differential
TOR: 46-28-8, +35 goal differential
Storyline:
Can the Leafs beat their Boogeyman. Boston has dispatched Toronto in game 7 twice in the last decade. Both times the Leafs had to fight from 3-1 series deficits and both times, they blew third periods leads in Game 7. We all know the Leafs are an offensive powerhouse (4th in goal scoring) but it is the defensive zone play that will make-or-break this series. They will have to shut down one of the best lines in hockey as well if they have any shot at the second round.
Players(s) to Watch: Mike Babcock
Yes i know he is the coach, but the honeymoon period with Babs is officially over in Toronto. He was badly out-coached by Bruce Cassidy in last years series, and his personnel and deployment strategies came under heavy fire in Toronto this year. Should this series go poorly, expect Babcock's seat to be very hot going into the 2019/20 season.
Prediction: We get another 7 game classic, with the Leafs coming out victorious
METRO DIVISION
(1) Washington Capitals vs (WC1) Carolina Hurricanes
WAS: 48-26-8, +29 goal differential
CAR: 46-29-7, +22 goal differential
Storyline:
Old Southeast division rivals meet in the first round of the playoffs. The grizzled Stanley Cup Champs vs. the Storm Surge. Are the Caps still hungover from last years victorious run, and the the Canes keep the fun coming after home ice victories. Time will tell...
Player(s) to Watch: Sebastian Aho
Had the quietest point per game (83 points) season of any players this year and is experiencing the playoffs for the firs time in his career. He is already a fantastic hockey players, but is there another level to his game. The (2Playoffs are a great way to find out.
Prediction: I think this will be a under-the-radar fun series that goes the distance with the Champs winning in 7
(2) New York Islanders vs. (3) Pittsburgh Penguins
NYI: 48-27-7, +32 goal differential
PIT: 44-26-12, +32 goal differential
StoryLine:
The Islanders are by far the biggest surprise of the season. After losing John Tavares to the Leafs in free agency, everyone had them pegged as a lottery team. Yet thanks to a combination of good coaching, hot goal-tending, and timely scoring they comfortably qualifies for the playoffs. Now we see how real they are, as they draw a match-up against Sidney Crosby and the battle-tested Penguins
Player(s) to Watch: Robin Lehner
While its is not a sure thing, you have to think the Isles start Lehner Game 1. After overcoming his battles with addiction and mental illness, Lehner showed us this year that he is indeed the goalie everyone thought he could be when he started his career in Ottawa. He posted a sensational 2.13 GAA and .930 Sv% this season and will have to continue that play if the Isles want to get by the high-flying Pens
Prediction: The Isles hang tough, but unfortunately run into playoff mode Crosby and Malkin. Pens in 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
(1) Nashville Predators vs (WC1) Dallas Stars
NSH: 47-29-6, +26 goal differential
DAL: 43-32-7, +8 goal differential
Storyline:
Who will score for Dallas? They finished 29th in goals for this season, which is miles behind the next closest playoff team. Luckily they also finished 2nd in goals allowed, but that not leave much room for error against a strong opponent in the Nashville Predators
Player(s) to watch: Pekka Rinne
Rinne had another strong season in the Preds net, but you still never know which Pekka will show up in the playoffs. How will he bounce back after his game 7 meltdown against Winnipeg last season?
Predication: Dallas still can't score, Nashville wins in 6
(2) Winnipeg Jet vs (3) St. Louis Blues
WIN: 47-30-5, +26 goal differential
STL: 45-28-9, +24 goal differential
Storyline:
St. Luoi had a historical climb up the standing this year. After a slow start to the season had many thinking the Blues were going to blow it up, they find themselves sitting 3rd in their division, one point back of the division title. Much of that was thanks to young goalie, Jordan Binnington, who is actually capable of making a save. They now get to face the Winnipeg Jets, who despite a strong season, never looked as dominant as most people thought they could be. This is potentially te most intriguing match-up of the first round
Players to Watch: Patrick Laine
The young sniper struggled for large stretches of the season, and aside from the month of November, could never really find his groove. if he finds his scoring touch again this fall, the Jets may not look so mortal
Prediction: A fun 7 game series where the Jets come out on top
PACIFIC DIVISION
(1) Calgary Flames vs (WC2) Colorado Avalanche
CAL: 50-25-7, +62 goal differential
COL: 38-30-14, +14 goal differnetial
Storyline:
This is probably the most lopsided matchup of the first round. The Flames have been dominant most of the year, while Colorado started strong, struggled in the 2nd half of the season, and managed to stumble into the final wildcar spot. Does this trend continue or do the Avalanche surprise people
Player(s) to Watch: Mike Smith and David Rittich
Depsite the team success, there are still serious questions about the Flames goal-tending. Smith has been mediocre-to-bad most of the season and while Rittich has been better, he has not done much to instill confidence in the Flames fan base. The fact he is also a playoff rookie complicates matters as well. It remains to be seen who will start game 1, but it could turn into a more interesting series if Calgary's goalies falter.
Prediction: Flames roll to a series win in 5
(2) San Jose Sharks vs (3) Vegas Golden Knights
SJS: 46-27-9, +28 goal differential
VGK: 43-32-7, +19 goal differential
Storyline:
A rematch of last years 2nd match-up has all the potential to be a great series. The loaded-up Sharks are looking to slay some old playoff demons, while the Knights are still trying to prove last years run to the Final was no fluke.
Player(s) to Watch: Martin Jones vs. Marc-Andre Fleury
It is incredible that the Sharks have the record they have considering how bad Martin Jones has been this season (2.94 GAA, 0.896 SV%). He however have a history of showing up for the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury on the other hand, has been solid for most of the year, garnering some Vezina consideration, and looking to build off a a fantastic playoff run last year where he almost won the Conn Smythe. This series more than any other will depend on the quality of goal-tending each team gets
Prediction: Martin Jones is solid, and the Sharks win in 6
Atlantic Division
(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (WC2) Columbus Blue Jackets
TBL: 62-16-4, +103 goal differential
CBJ: 47-31-4, +26 goal differential
Storyline:
With the likely impending departures of star players Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, the Columbus Blue Jackets went all in at the trade deadline this season in an effort to bring a Stanley Cup to Columbus. Their reward - a first round match-up against the Lightning, who just tied the single season wins record, have the likely Hart and Vezina winners, and three 40 goal scorers. Will the Lightning roll over Columbus or do the loaded up Blue Jackets give Tampa more than they can handle
Player(s) to Watch: Sergei Bobrovsky
His career playoff stats are not great (3.49 GAA, 0.891 SV%), but he has two Vezina trophies to his name. He will need to play like old Bob if the Jackets have any chance at beating the Lightning
Prediction: Columbus puts up a fight, but Tampa wins in 6
(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs
BOS: 49-24-9, +44 goal differential
TOR: 46-28-8, +35 goal differential
Storyline:
Can the Leafs beat their Boogeyman. Boston has dispatched Toronto in game 7 twice in the last decade. Both times the Leafs had to fight from 3-1 series deficits and both times, they blew third periods leads in Game 7. We all know the Leafs are an offensive powerhouse (4th in goal scoring) but it is the defensive zone play that will make-or-break this series. They will have to shut down one of the best lines in hockey as well if they have any shot at the second round.
Players(s) to Watch: Mike Babcock
Yes i know he is the coach, but the honeymoon period with Babs is officially over in Toronto. He was badly out-coached by Bruce Cassidy in last years series, and his personnel and deployment strategies came under heavy fire in Toronto this year. Should this series go poorly, expect Babcock's seat to be very hot going into the 2019/20 season.
Prediction: We get another 7 game classic, with the Leafs coming out victorious
METRO DIVISION
(1) Washington Capitals vs (WC1) Carolina Hurricanes
WAS: 48-26-8, +29 goal differential
CAR: 46-29-7, +22 goal differential
Storyline:
Old Southeast division rivals meet in the first round of the playoffs. The grizzled Stanley Cup Champs vs. the Storm Surge. Are the Caps still hungover from last years victorious run, and the the Canes keep the fun coming after home ice victories. Time will tell...
Player(s) to Watch: Sebastian Aho
Had the quietest point per game (83 points) season of any players this year and is experiencing the playoffs for the firs time in his career. He is already a fantastic hockey players, but is there another level to his game. The (2Playoffs are a great way to find out.
Prediction: I think this will be a under-the-radar fun series that goes the distance with the Champs winning in 7
(2) New York Islanders vs. (3) Pittsburgh Penguins
NYI: 48-27-7, +32 goal differential
PIT: 44-26-12, +32 goal differential
StoryLine:
The Islanders are by far the biggest surprise of the season. After losing John Tavares to the Leafs in free agency, everyone had them pegged as a lottery team. Yet thanks to a combination of good coaching, hot goal-tending, and timely scoring they comfortably qualifies for the playoffs. Now we see how real they are, as they draw a match-up against Sidney Crosby and the battle-tested Penguins
Player(s) to Watch: Robin Lehner
While its is not a sure thing, you have to think the Isles start Lehner Game 1. After overcoming his battles with addiction and mental illness, Lehner showed us this year that he is indeed the goalie everyone thought he could be when he started his career in Ottawa. He posted a sensational 2.13 GAA and .930 Sv% this season and will have to continue that play if the Isles want to get by the high-flying Pens
Prediction: The Isles hang tough, but unfortunately run into playoff mode Crosby and Malkin. Pens in 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
(1) Nashville Predators vs (WC1) Dallas Stars
NSH: 47-29-6, +26 goal differential
DAL: 43-32-7, +8 goal differential
Storyline:
Who will score for Dallas? They finished 29th in goals for this season, which is miles behind the next closest playoff team. Luckily they also finished 2nd in goals allowed, but that not leave much room for error against a strong opponent in the Nashville Predators
Player(s) to watch: Pekka Rinne
Rinne had another strong season in the Preds net, but you still never know which Pekka will show up in the playoffs. How will he bounce back after his game 7 meltdown against Winnipeg last season?
Predication: Dallas still can't score, Nashville wins in 6
(2) Winnipeg Jet vs (3) St. Louis Blues
WIN: 47-30-5, +26 goal differential
STL: 45-28-9, +24 goal differential
Storyline:
St. Luoi had a historical climb up the standing this year. After a slow start to the season had many thinking the Blues were going to blow it up, they find themselves sitting 3rd in their division, one point back of the division title. Much of that was thanks to young goalie, Jordan Binnington, who is actually capable of making a save. They now get to face the Winnipeg Jets, who despite a strong season, never looked as dominant as most people thought they could be. This is potentially te most intriguing match-up of the first round
Players to Watch: Patrick Laine
The young sniper struggled for large stretches of the season, and aside from the month of November, could never really find his groove. if he finds his scoring touch again this fall, the Jets may not look so mortal
Prediction: A fun 7 game series where the Jets come out on top
PACIFIC DIVISION
(1) Calgary Flames vs (WC2) Colorado Avalanche
CAL: 50-25-7, +62 goal differential
COL: 38-30-14, +14 goal differnetial
Storyline:
This is probably the most lopsided matchup of the first round. The Flames have been dominant most of the year, while Colorado started strong, struggled in the 2nd half of the season, and managed to stumble into the final wildcar spot. Does this trend continue or do the Avalanche surprise people
Player(s) to Watch: Mike Smith and David Rittich
Depsite the team success, there are still serious questions about the Flames goal-tending. Smith has been mediocre-to-bad most of the season and while Rittich has been better, he has not done much to instill confidence in the Flames fan base. The fact he is also a playoff rookie complicates matters as well. It remains to be seen who will start game 1, but it could turn into a more interesting series if Calgary's goalies falter.
Prediction: Flames roll to a series win in 5
(2) San Jose Sharks vs (3) Vegas Golden Knights
SJS: 46-27-9, +28 goal differential
VGK: 43-32-7, +19 goal differential
Storyline:
A rematch of last years 2nd match-up has all the potential to be a great series. The loaded-up Sharks are looking to slay some old playoff demons, while the Knights are still trying to prove last years run to the Final was no fluke.
Player(s) to Watch: Martin Jones vs. Marc-Andre Fleury
It is incredible that the Sharks have the record they have considering how bad Martin Jones has been this season (2.94 GAA, 0.896 SV%). He however have a history of showing up for the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury on the other hand, has been solid for most of the year, garnering some Vezina consideration, and looking to build off a a fantastic playoff run last year where he almost won the Conn Smythe. This series more than any other will depend on the quality of goal-tending each team gets
Prediction: Martin Jones is solid, and the Sharks win in 6
