The NHL Playoffs are a little more than two months away, and as the teams jockey for positions, lately we can't help but look at potential match-ups as teams have been giving the fans playoff previews. If they're anything like the games we've seen recently, this could be a helluva playoff year for fans! Here's five potential playoff series that we cannot wait for:
NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins : The NY Rangers are having a resurgent season behind goaltender Igor Shesterkin and are getting closer to sealing up their last playoff berth since 2017. That year, the Pittsburgh Penguins last won the Stanley Cup and are still a force to be reckoned with THIS season. Only question about the Penguins is in the pipes, where 2022 All Star goalie Tristan Jarry had a rough 2021 playoff; where he had a .888 Save % and a 3.18 GAA vs the New York Islanders in a 6 game playoff exit. Jarry is responding to his critics this season with a 27-12-6 2.34 GAA, .920 save %. It seems inevitable that he'll look across the ice at Vezina front-runner in Shesterkin in a playoff series. If the February 26th match-up is a preview, it can be a rollercoaster of a series. In a goalie showdown of epic proportions, Jarry stopped all 27 Rangers' shots - including a point blank save on Adam Fox that would have tied the game. Evgeni Malkin's power play goal was the only shot to elude the Blueshirt netminder, The teams will play three more times over the next two months, but appear to be on a collision course to play more games in May.
Las Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers : In 2015, the Edmonton Oilers won the Draft Lottery, which let them select Connor McDavid first overall. Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray was FURIOUS the team didn't end up with the first overall pick, but said, "Jack Eichel is not a consolation prize." Eichel would lose his first match-up vs McDavid and start the bridesmaid narrative. Seven years since the 2015 Lottery and Eichel still hasn't played ONE playoff game. With the Golden Knights pressing for a playoff spot, Eichel appears to be in position to correct that wrong. That said, he's competing with Connor McDavid again and depending on how teams finish, they could face each other. Also McDavid hasn't exactly had playoff success either. His Edmonton Oilers have ONE playoff series victory and haven't won a first round playoff game since 2017. With the frustration of players and fans mounting, THEY NEED PLAYOFF SUCCESS and may have to go through Jack Eichel to do it as he gets his first taste of the playoff atmosphere.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers : In 2021, the Battle of Florida was played for the first time! Almost 30 years of existence and they never faced each other in the playoffs?!!!!! Well, the Panthers and Lightning certainly made the first 3 games memorable. Game 1 was a back-and-forth game that concluded with a Braden Point goal in the closing minutes. Game 2 was a hard fought game that saw Tampa come out on top again. Down 2-0, did the Panthers lay down to the defending Cup Champs and cross state rival? They took a 2 goal lead in the first period, but lost the lead and found themselves trailing 5-3 to start the third period. Done, right? The Panthers would tie the game on Gustav Forsling goal with 3 minutes remaining. Ryan Lomberg would give the Panthers the win when he deposited the OT winner. In Game 4, Andrei Vasilevskiy stole the game with a brilliant 39 save performance before a chippy third period that saw 14 penalties called! Game 5 introduced Spencer Knight to the NHL and Game 6 closed with a Vasilevskiy shutout - the way he closes out every series for the last two years. Now Florida isn't an upstart. They're a favorite and they're ready to challenge for the best team in their own state and the NHL.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins : The Toronto Maple Leafs are still within shouting distance of first place and the Boston Bruins are currently in a Wild Card position. They could meet in the first round AGAIN! The Bruins have dispatched the Maple Leafs twice since 2017 and this time Toronto is the favorite, right? Maybe not. The Leafs are only 5 points up on the Bruins with goaltending issues; something the Bruins solved with Jeremy Swayman coming on. Sure the Leafs offense is good enough to net them first place, but could the Bruins work the "upset". Imagine the Maple Leafs finally exorcising their curse...or continuing their playoff futility against the Bruins.
Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche : Well...here we are. The Colorado Avalanche are the top team in in the NHL and here comes the Calgary Flames coached by a guy that won two Stanley Cups in the last year. They're physical. They Play defense and last Saturday night, they beat Colorado in a game that had it all. After a 2-2 first period, the teams would score a goal a piece in the second period and nothing in the third. In overtime, Johnny Gaudreau took a feed from Elias Lindholm and beat Pavel Francouz, who entered the game in the second for Darcy Kuemper. Everyone's new favorite for the Cup vs everyone's favorite from the beginning of the year. However, Colorado GM Joe Sakic is going big game hunting for the deadline and maybe this game let him know what his team needs to win it all. I can certainly settle in for 7 games like this one.
Comments