There’s something about this time of year that makes you believe anything is possible, and it has much to do with the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, which have lived up to its hefty billing just 10 days into the “May-Hem” so far! Seven of the eight series have gone to a game 6, with the lone bystander being the Avs-Predators, which ended rather quickly with Colorado sweeping Nashville, and securing a date with round two for the third straight year.
Panthers(G2, G4, G5) Vs Capitals (G1, G3) Florida leads series 3-2)
The Caps put forth a strong defensive front in game one, and suffocated the high-octane offense that the presidents trophy winners embodied throughout the regular season. They kept it close, and then capitalized in the third with three unanswered goals from Evgeni Kuznetsov, TJ Oshie, and Lars Eller for the 4-2 win.
However, the cats responded in game two and delivered a merciless 5-1 beatdown to knot the series. They pulled away late in the second on goals from Mason Marchment, rookie Anton Lindell, and Carter Verhaeghe. Sergei Bobrovsky bounced back with a 26 save performance, and the Florida defense rewarded him, limiting Washington to just 3SOG in the third. In game 3, the Caps made a stirring move, and placed Samsonav in between the pipes, and in front of their home crowd rolled to a 6-1 win for a 2-1 series lead. Samsonav nearly stole game four, but a late game-tying goal with the extra attacker advantage by Sam Reinhart, and an overtime winner by Carter Verhaegee gave Florida the 3-2 victory, tying the series at two games apiece. Then back at home in game five in front of a full house on Wednesday, Verhaegee delivered a four point night(1 goal 3 assists), as the “Comeback cats” rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 5-3 win and their first series lead in roughly 3,672 days dating back to 2012. That was 2012 against the Devils. New Jersey won the series in 2OT game 7. Florida still hasn’t won a playoff series since 1996 when they went to the final. But that can change Friday night in Washington DC.
PRE SERIES PREDICTION: Florida in 5 so that’s not happening, but maybe in 6? I’m still confident they’ll take down a surprisingly structured Capitals team that has given the Cats high-octane offense fits throughout this series.
Maple Leafs Vs Lightning(Leafs lead series 3-2)
If you love scoring, then this series is for you. Toronto drew first blood against the two time the reigning cup champs with a 5-0 demolition in game one, before the Bolts responded with a 5-3 victory, sending the series to the states knotted at a game apiece. But Toronto embraced the champs den and hostile environment that is Tampa Bay, and used a quick start as well as 32 saves from Jack Campbell, winning game three 5-2. However, just as they had he previous 15 times over the course of their postseason runs following a loss, the Lightning bounced back, and shredded the Leafs 7-3 in a contest that felt more lopsided than the final score indicated.
However, in the form of Austin Mathews, the Leafs would seize the series lead, as his game-winner late in the third period of game 5 uplifted the Leafs to a 4-3 win that has the champs on the brink headed into game 6 on Thursday night.
But this Toronto/Tampa Bay series is far from over with mostly blowouts going both ways.
Feels destined for 7, and hope it happens.
PRE-SERIES PREDICTION: Bolts in 7 and I’m still feeling confident about that
Hurricanes(G1, G2, G5) -Bruins(G3, G4) Canes lead series 3-2
This series between the Canes and B’s has been a tale of two halves and then some.
The first two in Raleigh saw Carolina put forth a punishing display as they practically did whatever they wanted, bullying Boston up and down the ice. They were physical, sacrificial on defense, and had superb goaltending in the form of Anti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov after Raanta left the 5-2 game two win due to injury. Honestly, can’t say many were intrigued for the Hurricanes had outscored the Bruins 16-1 in the regular season series, accumulating to 26-3 after the latter two tilts.
However once the series shifted to Boston, it was a different sheet of ice, and an abnormal style of play out of the Bruins that led to them outmuscling Carolina. It started in goal, with Calder trophy candidate Jermey Swayman replacing LindUs Ullmark and steadied the tide before the rest of the group got going. Now as the anticipation rises towards game five tonight back at PNC arena, Boston has made this a best of three series with resounding 4-2 and 5-2 wins respectively. The structural and disciplinary style of play is what has allowed the seasoned players In Brad Marchand and David Pasternak to enshrine their names into series lore, and has led to Carolina taking a boatload of penalties. While they are the best defensive team in hockey when it comes to special teams, eventually the opponent will find the back of the twine, as Boston registered four man-advantage goals at TD Garden over the weekend. This was a popular upset pick by fans due to their playoff pedigree and the B’s strutted that fact on their home ice.
But the question now becomes, can they do it in Raleigh?
UPDATE: No they can’t, before this article was published, Carolina scored three unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 win and a 3-2 series lead
PRE-SERIES PREDICTION: Bruins in 6, obviously not happening now.
Rangers(G2, G5) vs Penguins(G1, G3, G4) (Pittsburg leads series 3-2)
This series has been a microsome of the Rangers and Penguins season. New York has had to rely on their goaltender, while depth is the reason why Pittsburg is here in the first place.
The first game saw New York punch first and rapidly jump out up 2-0, some of that an attribute towards playing in front of a raucous crowd at MSG. The Rangers forechecked well, blocked shots and received a couple Vezina-like stops by Igor Shesterkin, making the initial start reminiscent to their regular season battles. But as we all know by now, the Blueshirts have mostly deviated from that style of hockey and it’s put them in this position where they’re currently on the brink of elimination entering game five on Wednesday night.
The Pens rallied to even the opening contest at 3, before controversy struck. It appeared the Rangers had seized the lead with 3:10 to play, but a potential Filip Chytil goal was brought back due to the fact the refs rules Kappo Kakko interfered with Penguins backup goalie Casey Demsith who was deemed their starter with Tristan Jarry injured. Replay shows while Kakko did ram into the crease prior to the goal, he was bumped by Brian Dumbolin of Pittsburg, therefore having Kakko dead to rights on the play. The referees were serenaded with displeasure and profanities by the garden crowd as the night wore along. The game would ultimately become equivalent to a doubleheader and reach triple overtime. By that stage, Demsith left the game due to a season-ending groin injury, meaning third-stringer Louie Dominique would take over.
Almost six minutes into the sixth period, Evgeni Malkin tipped home the Penguins 83rd shot of the night past an exasperated Shesterkin, who in his playoff debut set a franchise record with 79 saves on the night, and lift Pittsburg to an exhilarating victory.
While the Rangers would respond with a 5-2 win in game two, featuring 39 more stops by Shesty, that one seems like a fluke now doesn’t it?
The Pens overwhelmed the Rangers as soon as the series reached their territory, hanging up a four spot in the opening eight minutes of game three, and chased Shesterkin to the tune of “Eeeeeeigor” chants riding from the Pens fans at PPG paints arena. But defined by their “No quit in NY” mantra, the Rangers fought back to even things with a three goal middle frame, and even were rewarded for their efforts with three ensuing power plays in a span of nine minutes. Yet as he’s done throughout this series, Dominique stole the show and came up with big-time saves that thwarted New York’s attack, and attempt at taking the lead.
It ultimately allowed for Daniel Heinin’s short side wrister past Alexander Georgiev to be the game-winner, prior to two Pens empty netters, sealing a successful game 3 for the hosts 7-4.
AUTHORS NOTE: The following is my reaction after game four.
“I’ll start here…
The Rangers were dismantled all over the ice in tonight’s 7-2 game 4 loss where they were trounced in all facets of the contest. While Igor Shesterkin has been the backbone of the team all year, the 2022 Vezina winner has simply been undone by the big stage, hence the last two games where he was yanked twice, giving up a combined 10 goals in three frames. While some aren’t on the netminder and it’s true the defense has hung him out to dry, the Rangers power play that was so potent during the regular season looks inept, and their 5V5 play is that of their AHL selves. This is a young and inexperienced team, yet took care of the Penguins in the regular season and were near the upper crust of the league standings with prolific scorers, a stifling defense, and a preeminent goaltenderwith a blue-collar coach at the helm. Not to mention, their opponent is an injury-riddled bunch down two goalies. I won’t take anything away from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, playoff hero Louie Dominique or coach Mike Sullivan, for the Pens have displayed poise, skill, and continuity required to succeed in the playoffs. But there’s absolutely no excuse for a team that’s motto is “No quit in NY” to end on a wimper that has been this series. While similar to the 2021 Knicks in their sudden rise to stardom, the Rangers had that of franchise cornerstones and homegrown talent that had been budding for the last few seasons while their rebuild was taking shape.
So while I would love to talk about Chris Kreider scoring 50+ for the first time in his career, Shesterkin’s campaign, and the growth spurts of Keandre Miller and Alexi Lafrenire, should the season end on Wednesday, I’ll understand if you think Rangers fans should classify this year as one you would wish to move on from and not look back on.”
That was the fear in MSG, as the raucous crowd were quickly quieted when the Pens went up 2-0 early in the second period, and the Rangers themselves weren’t getting anything going offensively. “It feels like a funeral in here” said a fan at the time, as it indeed looked as if the curtain would close on the Blueshirts season, and they would indeed go out with a whimper. Then about halfway through the second, Jacob Trouba unintentionally laid the shoulder on Sidney Crosby, who immediately left the game due to an upper-body injury and wouldn’t return. From there, the game turned in the Blueshirts favor as Adam Fox, Alexi Lafrenire, and Jacob Trouba scored in less than three minutes to stimulate the MSG crowd, raising the roof at the Garden. The pens would rally and tie things up, making the third period one that would be for all the marbles. Ultimately in the playoffs, special teams win games and New York capitalized on a power play goal by Filip Chytil early in the third, and Igor Shesterkin took over from there with game-saving stops, including on the Pittsburg power play, before Ryan Lindgren(Playing for first time since game 1) sealed the deal with an empty netter for a 5-3 Rangers win, forcing a game 6 in Pittsburg on Friday.
PRE SERIES PREDICTION: Rangers in 5… Nope!
ONE WEST SERIES OVER
Avalanche Vs Predators(Avs win series 4-0)
Nashville never stood much of a chance with Vezina-finalist goaltender Jossi Saros and out but at least made things interesting. After a listless 7-2 showing in game one, the Predators showed life as third-string goalie Connor Ingram made 48 saves to give his team a chance, but the Avs would have the last word, as Devon Towes scored the OT winner and propelled Colorado to a 2-1 win, which essentially wrapped up the series. Game three was tight, until the wheels fell off, as the Avs scored four straight for a 7-3 win, before wrapping it up with a 5-3 comeback win on Monday night, sending them off to the second round via a sweep for the second straight year.
PRE-SERIES PREDICTION: Avs in 4✅
Wild(G2 6-2, G43 5-1) vs Blues(G1 4-0, G4 5-2, G5 5-2) Blues lead series 3-2( Have Blues in 7)
The X-factor in this series has been Jordan Binnington, Ryan O Reilly, and of course stud Vladamier Tarasenko of the ST Louis Blues. After a game one shutout, Villegas So struggled which in turn gave 2019 Stanley cup champion Jordan Binnington the nod in goal for game four. In a tightly contested affair, the Blues pulled away late with captain Ryan O Reilly sealing it with his late goal that helped reknot the series. On Monday night, Victor Tarasenko recorded a natural hat trick on the night as ST Louis will now head home for game six with a 3-2 series lead, and a chance to seal a date with Colorado in round 2.
Flames(G1 1-0, G4 4-1) vs Stars (G2 2-0, G3 4-2) Calgary leads 3-2 (Had Flames in 5)
Traditionally, this is how playoff hockey should be portrayed. Goals at a premium, and an ultra-commitment to defense. Calgary and Dallas spent the first two games trading shutouts, prior to game 3 in America where the scoring has since opened up.
But in the pivotal game five, Calgary flexed their muscles with three unanswered, and erupting the sattledome crowd in a 3-1 win that has pushed the pesky Stars to being of elimination.
Stars rookie goalie Jake Ottinger has been the MVP of the series so far, for he currently owns a .955 save % thus far, which included his game two shutout.
Oilers(G2 6-0, G3 8-2) vs Kings(G1 4-3, G4 4-0) Kings lead 3-2 (Had Oilers in 6)
Entering game five believe it not, this Pacific division clash hadn’t enticed me as of yet. However, after Adrian Kempe socked the OT winner to stun Rodgers arena and propel the rebuilding Kings to a 5-4 win and a 3-2 series lead headed home; I’m now all ears as they look to knock off Conner Mcdavid, Leon Draisatiel and the powerhouse that are Edmonton yet again. Should the Oilers indeed fall, it would drop the franchise duo to 1-8 in playoff series, which would continue to underscore that it takes a “team” to win in the postseason.
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