3 in . And there's the Leafs' excellent special teams, including the NHL's best power play and a penalty kill that is nearly as likely to score short-handed as to get scored on. That could change in a hurry in the postseason, as the Canes flex their impressive depth, stingy penalty kill and offensive power led by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Biggest flaw(s): Well, let's go with "potentially biggest." FiveThirtyEight's 2021-22 NHL forecast predicts the winner of each hockey game and calculates each team's chances of advancing to the playoffs and winning the Stanley Cup. He is the Russian Machine, and seeing him play in the first round would not be a surprise, although coach Peter Laviolette said that Ovechkin would not have been able to play had the playoffs started last week. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? Some of those came on odd-man rushes, a few on chances on the doorstep. Campbell-Pascall: Hurricanes in five Player to watch: Tarasenko. The Blues are rightly playing with incredible confidence, and we know from past experience where that can lead them. The Rangers goalie has been their best player through the first two rounds -- heck, he has even chipped in three assists on top of his stellar goaltending. Here is how the Stanley Cup playoffs will play out, from the opening round through the last game of the Final. Both stood out late in the second round with an individual highlight performance (MacKinnon with his Game 5 hat trick, McDavid with the overtime game-winner in his own Game 5). If the Flames win the Cup, it wouldn't be hard to see him taking home a Conn Smythe. Mark Giordano has helped solidify the blue line, and the Leafs actually have good depth there, for once. Also on a roll: St. Louis' power play, which has been top three in the NHL since late March. The best possible conference finals? The 2022-2023 College Football Playoff schedule will have both semifinals played on New Year's Eve at the Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. The Oilers peppered Calgary's Jacob Markstrom with over 34 shots per game in the second round and their elite talent up front (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, etc.) Ferraro: Hurricanes in six It's hard to imagine the Kings doing anything of consequence in the postseason without Doughty, an accomplished playoff performer who had 31 points in 39 games this season, averaging 25:44 per night. The winger is having an unbelievable regular season but hasn't scored a playoff goal since 2017-18 and has only eight assists in 12 postseason games the past two years. Forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault, GM Rob Blake's key offseason pickups, were in the top four in scoring. Colorado's big winger has one goal in these playoffs, which he scored on an empty net in the Avs' 6-3 victory over St. Louis in Game 4. While he has cooled off a little, Tyler Toffoli remains a dangerous offensive player in the postseason. Chris Kreider became just the fourth player in Rangers history to top 50 goals. While Florida's offensive talent is its best asset, if the overall team defense can't hold up (especially if Aaron Ekblad isn't able to return to form due to his knee injury), it could make for a shorter run than the Panthers are aiming for. 87 a game and a half. Most valuable overall options for standard leagues; new podcast episodes. It's part of what has made Husso so invaluable; he covers for all manner of ills in the Blues' own end. . Chandan: Flames in six The 2021-22 NHL season is winding down towards the final . We know Josi is a Norris Trophy-caliber defender, but the rest of Nashville's blue line doesn't exhibit nearly the same consistency. Now, these two teams just went through two second-round series that were markedly different. Bold prediction: As happened to Tampa Bay in 2019, the seemingly unstoppable Panthers fall short with a baffling first-round exit. La Greca: Hurricanes in six Callahan: Avalanche in seven Bolden: Avalanche in six That wasn't a given before the season and certainly wasn't while Pittsburgh played through its seemingly annual spate of injuries. He backstopped the Kings to the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, posting an incredible .946 save percentage to win that initial championship. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres, 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Highlights and analysis from the entire postseason, Wyshynski: My Stanley Cup playoffs bracket, Ranking NHL players who need a Stanley Cup, last two games of the season with a lower-body injury. The first-round pick is conditional on the Kings making the playoffs and would become two second-round picks (2023 and 2024) if they do not . Player to watch: Tom Wilson managed not to get suspended during the regular season, to his credit. In over 500 minutes of game action this postseason, Kuemper has faced only 218 pucks. Cohn: Oilers in six The Lightning have great depth down the middle of the ice with Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos and Anthony Cirelli, electric scoring potential in Nikita Kucherov and an excellent defenseman who leads by example in Victor Hedman. Player to watch: Claude Giroux. What he's done this year has been insanely impressive. Never let them have the puck. Mleczko: Hurricanes in seven The Big Cat's run since 2020 in elimination games is the stuff of legend: 10-0, six of the wins by shutout. The Rangers still aren't an impressive five-on-five team, relying on Shesterkin to bail them out at even strength, which he has. Make Your Picks. The Lightning have a couple of players they'd like to see produce a little more, but their lack of production is injury-related in both cases. Boucher: Avalanche in six 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mika Zibanejad led the way with three points. The first round might actually be the hardest for Tampa, knowing how hungry the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past. The 2022 college football season doesn't kick off until August 27, but it's never too soon to look at possible College Football Playoff matchups. Player to watch: McAvoy. The Rangers had their share of breaks. Center Ross Colton, who scored the only goal in their Cup-clinching game last summer against the Canadiens, has played the majority of his minutes with Brandon Hagel, whom the Lightning acquired from Chicago at the trade deadline. There was never any doubt that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could score in the regular season, but the playoffs have brought their challenges in keeping up that pace offensively. Kreider had two goals, after scoring 52 during the regular season. Calgary vs. Dallas: Flames in five. We've graded all 32 teams -- including one A+ and two F's -- and announced the winners of our own batch of awards. Kuemper's terrific regular season (37-12-4, .921 SV%, 2.54 GAA) suggests he's up to the task of what's ahead though -- even if his playoff resume to date isn't so dazzling. Biggest flaw(s): Consistency and resiliency. I said in my series prediction . After Pavelski, Hintz and Robertson (who all tallied 70 or more points), Dallas' offense has been streaky. If Cale Makar is the flashy rising star leading Colorado's blue line, Duncan Keith is the veteran grandmaster stabilizing Edmonton's back end. Then again, Kuemper hasn't been facing a ton of shots. He's the kind of player to watch with your head on a swivel. NHL Playoff Predictions 2022 Matchups EASTERN CONFERENCE Playoff Round 1 #1 seed Florida Panthers vs #8 seed Washington Capitals Florida wins (4-1) #2 seed Carolina Hurricanes vs #7 seed Boston Bruins Carolina wins (4-2) Metropolitan Division Match-up #2 New York Rangers vs #3 Pittsburgh Penguins New York wins (4-2) Atlantic Division Match-up Artemi Panarin averaged 1.28 points per game. The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Monday night on the networks of ESPN, . Bold prediction: Shesterkin pitches two shutouts in the opening round as the Rangers advance. It was once again the Connor and Leon show, as McDavid had 123 points and Draisaitl had 110. This version of Toronto can contend with any team it will face in the playoffs -- but only if the Leafs actually show up as their best selves. But the players and Gallant all said that their Game 7 win at the Hurricanes was indicative of what a quintessential effort from the Rangers looks like, getting points from 12 different players. Obviously, the Rangers are going to go as far as Shesterkin takes them. Central: COL | MIN We've already discussed Kuemper. That core has been augmented by strong seasons from a supporting cast of forwards Evan Rodrigues and Danton Heinen, and especially defenseman Mike Matheson, who had a career-redefining campaign. Ferraro: Flames in seven But that doesn't mean the playoffs haven't enlightened us about some aspects of this Lightning team. Subscribe to ESPN+ The opponents are very favourable. Keep an eye on those little things Brodin can do to put Minnesota over the top. Stream the NHL on ESPN, Allen: Avalanche in five 2. Colorado's penalty kill (only 73.1%) and goaltending (see above) have underwhelmed, and would be the most likely potential issues against Edmonton. Before the NBA resumes play on Thursday night, it is time to answer some big questions. The Predators can score well enough, but how well they can execute team defense and keep the puck out of their own net will be the key. Forward Jason Zucker, who could help, can't stay in the lineup due to injuries. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? The Kings have had strong underlying numbers under coach Todd McLellan all season, including placing fifth in expected goals per 60 minutes and fifth in percentage of shot attempts at 5-on-5. What will he bring to the table to help make it happen? But he's expected to miss a few games in the first round due to a lower-body injury. Goals project to be at a premium for Dallas, so look for the team's top defender to step up in keeping pucks out of the Stars' end -- and out of their net. Against Carolina, Shesterkin gave up two or fewer goals in six of the seven games in the series and won another Game 7, this time on the road. Read on for predictions for every game involving a Top 25 team on the schedule over the next seven days. But breaks are only breaks if one capitalizes on them, and the Rangers have shown an impressive resiliency. But the catalyst for their first playoff berth since 2018 wasn't the kids, but rather the established veterans. How will the Rangers handle Nikita Kucherov? Case for a Stanley Cup run: Thanks to the steepest parity the Eastern Conference has seen in some time, the Capitals had a 100-point season for the sixth straight 82-game campaign. NHL on ESPN. The goaltending from Ville Husso has been exceptional, and Jordan Binnington is finally rebounding to become a more reliable backup. But the kids were all right too: Forwards Arthur Kaliyev, Rasmus Kupari and Quinton Byfield, as well as defensemen Mikey Anderson and Sean Durzi, also contributed. Weekes: Blues in seven Unlike Darcy Kuemper, who has faced the fewest shots among remaining playoff goaltenders, Smith has been peppered with the second-most. "Obviously, Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself. Center Steven Stamkos (eight points) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh have been there in big moments. Did he skid at the end of this season? The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on ESPN presented by GEICO continue into the second round with exclusive doubleheaders this Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Tuesday on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Special teams will play a pivotal role. Knight: Flames in six Defenseman Jacob Trouba's booming hits took out Penguins star Sidney Crosby for two critical games, and then Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis in Game 7. Failing to capitalize on man-advantage chances almost always comes back to bite teams in the postseason; ditto with struggling to keep pucks out on the kill. Find North Carolina vs. Virginia predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the February 25 college basketball matchup. They're very ordinary on the back end without him. The addition of Hampus Lindholm on the back end has really strengthened the B's blue line and gives them more options to mix and match pairings throughout the playoffs as needed. There is no such problem for the Lightning. When the trade deadline rolls around, there are always teams caught in the middle of the standings . The edge, though, probably belongs to Edmonton. Biggest flaw(s): Defense, and goaltending. Physicality gets ratcheted up in the playoffs, and Wilson has shown the ability in the past to turn a series with one big injurious hit. Player to watch: There was a time, not too long ago, when Jonathan Quick was considered one of the best big-game goaltenders in the NHL. Nine of the 16 picked. There's an enviable level of top-end talent, but the balanced depth is really what the Avalanche have displayed in the postseason. Heading into the playoffs, Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches and scouts. Tortorella: Flames in six Editor's Picks. Wyshynski: My Stanley Cup playoffs bracket. Again, the Oilers stayed calm, and refocused. Colorado has given up the third-fewest goals against per game (2.70) among remaining playoff teams, and its power play is operating at a crisp 34.5% (best in show throughout the postseason). The Bruins' goalie tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman deserves credit in this area too, providing consistently good performances that have more than assuaged fears about how the team would move on from Tuukka Rask. The 13th overall pick in 2020, Jarvis had 11 points in a nine-game stretch near the end of the season, running shotgun with Aho for a lot of it. While it's desirable to have the top-end talent Colorado does, it's often the unheralded players who pick up the playoff slack. That said, they'd like more than one goal off 18 shot attempts in 11 games from a player who had 25 goals in the regular season. Any notion that the Avs' slide out of the regular season (losing six of their last seven games) was a premonition of poor playoff performance to come was unfounded. What we've learned about this team so far in the postseason. NHL Rush to the Playoffs: Three National Hockey League Games Monday, Tuesday Night, Exclusively on ESPN, ESPN+ and Hulu ESPN+ NHL Kevin Ota April 25, 2022 Twitter Monday, April 25 on ESPN+/Hulu: Flyers at Blackhawks Tuesday, April 26 on ESPN: Oilers at Penguins, Blues at Avalanche 38 out-of-market games on ESPN+ this week Biggest flaw(s): Can the Predators keep it together in their own end? New Jersey Devils (MP) 6. Not enough has been made of the Blues. The All-Star break is over, and we are almost three-quarters of the way through the 2022-23 season. Sean McDonough: Panthers in seven So it works in Nashville's favor to not just go into the postseason as a wild-card team, but to know there's an uphill battle ahead to make its time in the playoffs last. MacKinnon's contributions will be massive for the Avs. His .925 career playoff save percentage ties him for third all time (minimum 60 games) with Hall of Famer Dominik . Push for the Playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2021-22 NHL season. Pittsburgh Penguins 4. As Crosby said recently: "I think you try to enjoy it as much as you can and try to take it all in because you know that it's not going to last forever. The Lightning will have to convert some of those to beat "Shesty.". We've also learned that two straight Stanley Cups haven't made the Bolts fat and happy; the hunger to win another, and the killer instinct to close out teams, remains for Tampa. The Wild's penalty kill is bottom 10 in the league, and their power play sits somewhere in the middle. Artemi Panarin quietly had points in the last three games against Carolina, including a great outlet pass that sprung Strome for a critical goal that put them up 3-0. Cam Talbot, solid all season, has improved even further riding shotgun with the newcomer. There's a massive monkey on Marner's back, and seeing how he responds to that in the postseason this year is going to go a long way in determining just how good the Leafs can be. But I think Shesty has one that does, too. NHL Matchups 2022-2023 - Today's Hockey Previews, Scores & Schedules NHL Scores & Matchups Odds Free Picks News & Analysis NHL Contest Stanley Cup Injuries Teams Players Standings. Rick DiPietro: Panthers in seven Every first-round Game One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be available on ESPN or ESPN2. Lawrence-Riddell: Avalanche in six Wischusen: Avalanche in six I apologize in advance for spoiling the next two months for you, as obviously all of . There hasn't been a ton of that for the Oilers; most of their key tallies have come from the same group of four or five guys. Tortorella: Hurricanes in six . Until he does, it's Casey DeSmith's crease. Case for a Stanley Cup run: Boston can be a tough team to play against. Greg Wyshynski: Panthers in six, Allen: Rangers in seven The past three postseasons haven't been the greatest for Sid, with six points in 14 games. In general, Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft has been leaning on the same eight forwards up front and limiting the use of his fourth-liners. ET, ESPN), followed by Lightning-Leafs (7:30 ET, ESPN2), Blues-Wild (9:30 ET, ESPN) and Kings-Oilers (10 ET, ESPN2). NHL betting best bet and free pick analysis. On paper, they're winning this series. How they got here: Defeated Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3, defeated Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. He had four points in seven games before that. In fact, even as he has gotten better as the playoffs have continued -- playing through jitters in the first round that included two games he didn't complete in Pittsburgh -- he has yet to pitch a shutout. DiPietro: Flames in six Well, unless it's because of their opponents' goaltending. Yet Carolina is not mentioned in the same breath as other Stanley Cup contenders. When Boston is at its best, it is a hard-hitting, back-breaking group to go up against. But that's the regular season. Might the Colorado Avalanche, the top seed in the West and an underachiever the past two postseasons, break through? He was fourth on the team in goals scored above average. Bring on the intensity, the heart-stopping drama and the sheer excitement. What do the Stars have to lose? And if Boston is going to turn its defensive advantages into a lengthy playoff run, it will be McAvoy leading the way. If New York wants this to be a 1-0 goalie duel, the Lightning can win those, too. The last time they did was in the first round, when Crosby's line ran roughshod over them (Crosby had 10 points in six games) -- until a Trouba hit cost No. A healthy Brayden Point obviously bolsters their advantage. Also note that wild-card teams are listed according to which playoff bracket they're playing in (the Capitals, for example, are in the Atlantic). John Buccigross: Panthers in seven We crunch the numbers, analyze the data, and provide the best free NHL expert picks each and every day. Shilton: Flames in six Kaplan: Flames in six The Bruins are one of the league's stingiest teams (averaging 2.69 goals against) and excel at limiting shots against (28.7 per game, third fewest in the NHL) and high-danger chances (first overall). Mleczko: Avalanche in six 2022 NHL playoff fantasy hockey pool guide - Favorites, sleepers and busts Presented By > ESPN Search Fantasy Men's Basketball Hockey Baseball Sign up and play for free! Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Penguins crossed the finish line as a playoff team. Obviously not. DiPietro: Hurricanes in six Atlantic: FLA | TOR There's a real calmness that the Lightning have in the toughest moments, a constant belief in their ability to weather any storm. Biggest flaw(s): Confidence. Knight: Hurricanes in six That presents a perfect backdrop for Minnesota's run. Editor's Picks. New York Islanders (MP) 7. CAR (Tuesday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A. Their power play is going to do some damage. Bob Wischusen: Panthers in seven The Avs' Norris Trophy finalist defenseman projects to draw Edmonton's toughest matchups, and as the Oilers proved against Calgary, its top line is tough to contain. Rush to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Case for a Stanley Cup run: History has a funny habit of repeating itself. The Ducks and Penguins have moved back into the playoff race and will face off Monday. He hasn't been that guy for a while, and at 36, he might never be that guy again. The Stars are the only team in the playoffs with a negative goal differential. When Jonathan Quick repeatedly slammed the door in the first-round series, Edmonton didn't panic. For all the great stats the Avs have produced this season, they're average on the kill (79%), which could be an issue in the postseason, when it's harder to score and every advantage that goes the other way has the potential to be a backbreaker. Campbell-Pascall: Avalanche in six But equally as ominous is the Capitals' goaltending. Messier: Avalanche in seven The NHL has passed the mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season. Matiash: Rangers in seven Bold prediction: Brandon Hagel comes alive at last. Daily Fantasy Picks; Projected Lineups; Player Rankings; . Brian Boucher: Panthers in six Look back at how Nashville started the season, winning just one of its first five games but then exploding to earn the NHL's best record (23-7-2) from mid-October to early January. There were times when Carolina created chaos around Shesterkin's crease but couldn't find the rebounds he'd leave. While Dallas has every reason to feel good about its top point-getters, in a tight playoff series the secondary scoring often puts teams over the top. When things aren't going Boston's way -- when the Bruins struggle to score a goal or give up a bad one -- can they persevere and push back? reactions, leaving Crosby's incredible season a bit underappreciated. Sorting out the optimal defensive pairings will be a task for coach Jared Bednar. We just don't go away, regardless of the score and regardless of where the game is. New York Rangers 2. Those types of intangibles are impossible to quantify in the unknowable season ahead. Those 5-on-5 opportunities can be -- and almost always are -- limited in the playoffs. Blake Bolden: Panthers in seven Levy: Avalanche in five All things being equal, Colorado boasts the deeper team. Free agency is looming, and all eyes will be on Kadri as he chases that elusive championship. Their second-leading scorer is defenseman Victor Hedman, who is doing as Victor Hedman does: He has 10 points in 11 games and is skating 25:03 per game. Edmonton's trio has combined for 26 goals and 67 points in 12 games. How they got here: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3, defeated Florida Panthers 4-0. NHL predictions: Expert picks for both conference final series in Stanley Cup playoffs Our experts reveal their predictions for which two teams will be moving on to the Stanley Cup Final. The clichs exist for a reason: There's no space out there anymore, no time to make plays or dangle or show off. Ditto Brad Marchand. 4 NHL Trade Deadline Sellers Looking to Bounce Back in 2023-24. Other than Nathan MacKinnon going off in Game 5 against St. Louis, and Cale Makar just being generally excellent at every turn, it's not as if Colorado has required its superstars to carry the day. Messier: Rangers in six He worked through his emotions during the Rangers' first two games in Pittsburgh, where he was pulled twice. Non-Playoff team from 2021 that will make 2022 Playoffs: Dallas Stars . There's a lot we already knew about the Lightning after back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, from their ability to win in a variety of ways to their efficiency in elimination games. Colton and Perry, the latter of whom was acquired as a free agent this past summer, lead the Lightning with five goals each. Igor Shesterkin led the NHL in save percentage and goals saved above average, carrying the Rangers for the first two-thirds of the season as New York was near the bottom of the league in even-strength analytics. How do the Avs slow down the McDavid-Draisaitl-Kane line? Los Angeles was 32-19-7 when Doughty went out on March 7. TWDC 2022-23 NHL Game Schedule: Date, Time (ET), Teams, Network/Platform Tue, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers, ESPN, ESPN+ Tue, Oct. 11, 10 p.m., Vegas Golden. Period. McCarron for choosing his league over the NFL. Subscribe to ESPN+ They're not the Maple Leafs or the Panthers, crushed by the weight of expectations and entitlement. McDonough: Flames in seven Granted, that included 12 overtime losses, a middling even-strength offense and goaltending issues galore. Tarasenko had 11 goals and 17 points during the Blues' 2019 run. The Wild have that, big-time. Colorado is fortunate to have dynamic middle-six scorers such as Valeri Nichushkin and quiet contributors such as Artturi Lehkonen who can sneak up and burn opponents unexpectedly. He received help from familiar Capitals names such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson and Tom Wilson, while Conor Sheary and Anthony Mantha chipped in. Wyshynski: Hurricanes in five, The Stanley Cup playoffs are back on ESPN and ABC! Draisaitl has unmatched playmaking ability and when he's on a roll, it's hard to think of how Colorado will totally contain how adept he is with the puck. Case for a Stanley Cup run: Colorado is a beast. The Oilers played a wide-open, goal-scoring bonanza of a five-game spread against Calgary versus the Avalanche's more bruising, defensive-conscious, six-game affair against St. Louis. They were 27th in goals-against per 60 at 5-on-5 under Tippett; under Woodcroft, they were ninth. If New York wants to trade chances like they did against the Hurricanes at MSG, the Lightning have finishers that make them pay in ways the Hurricanes could not. While there is a lot of "new" happening in the NHL this season, as far as league predictions go for the upcoming 2021-22 season, there is a lot that will feel familiar. Game 3: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals 1 p.m. On paper, the Rangers were out in the first round. He's a dynamic offensive talent who has 11 points in his past 15 playoff games. Some teams have improved, while others went into re-build mode. Tim Kavanagh: Lightning in six At Pickswise we have expert NHL picks for every game of the 2021/22 season. Expect more great performances from him. Darcy Kuemper has been solid if unspectacular in the playoffs, posting a 6-2-0 record, .904 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average. Hilary Knight: Lightning in seven Tortorella: Avalanche in six He knows when to push and when to pull back. Campbell-Pascall: Flames in six ET ESPN, SN; . The 24-year-old forward had 103 points and was a plus-58 (!) Because he picked this opportunity. Hagel took a puck off one of his feet in Game 2 against the Panthers, though he appeared in Games 3 and 4. For example, we've learned that they've effectively rebuilt their bottom six after the offseason exodus of their celebrated checking line of Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. Colorado has shown it can win all types of games, whether big-time blowouts or tightly contested grinders. Seven Avs skaters have at least three goals in the playoffs, and five have double-digit point totals. Don La Greca: Panthers in seven Do the Lightning have what it takes to three-peat? That's the question. A rundown of 1 to 8 in all four divisions, plus the 16-team postseason field for this upcoming season. Buccigross: Flames in six Wyshynski: Flames in seven. But it was also a campaign that saw Alex Ovechkin score 50 goals and carry the team for stretches this season. 2022-23 Fantasy Hockey Ranking & Projections - ESPN hsb.accessibility.skipContent ESPN NFL NCAAF NBA NHL Soccer MLB Watch Listen Fantasy Fantasy Hockey Home Sign Up Fantasy Store. Biggest flaw(s): Power plays don't always come easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs. One problem Biggest flaw(s): Ovechkin missed the Capitals' final three games after appearing to injure a shoulder in an April 24 game. A game-changing talent who also is playing for his next contract (from Nashville or someone else). He's a 40-year-old veteran churning out great numbers, including an 8-3-0 record, .927 SV% and 2.70 GAA. La Greca: Flames in six Coach Jon Cooper says his standout center -- the team's leading goal-scorer (30) over the past two postseasons -- is progressing from a lower-body injury he suffered in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs. The Rangers didn't have to face Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen, who missed the playoffs with a lower-body injury; instead, they saw Antti Raanta for six games and half of Game 7 until his injury, and then third-stringer Pyotr Kochetkov. 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And Penguins have moved back into the playoff race and will face off Monday boucher: Avalanche in six 2021-22...: the Penguins crossed the finish line as a playoff team the lowdown on the.!: Panthers in seven point totals keep an eye on those little things Brodin can do put! Bit underappreciated, Hintz and Robertson ( who all tallied 70 or more points ) Dallas. Unspectacular in the lineup due to a lower-body injury his credit Stamkos eight! Teams will qualify for the playoffs will run every morning through the last game of score. Takes to three-peat ESPN, SN ; six wyshynski: Hurricanes in player! Up front and limiting the use of his fourth-liners been there in big moments, and.. When Doughty went out on March 7 Crosby 's incredible season a bit.... Puck off one of his fourth-liners history has a funny habit of repeating itself three-quarters of the Final if! And more for the playoffs, Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the same consistency a beast York... The Capitals ' goaltending a lengthy playoff run, it 's often the unheralded players pick... Playing for his next contract ( from Nashville or someone else ) Shesty ``! A tough team to play against the Wild 's penalty kill is bottom in. Make it happen qualify for the playoffs have n't enlightened us about some aspects this... Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3, Defeated Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals 1 p.m. on paper, the stayed. We 've learned about this team so far in the first round first-round game one of the 2021-22 NHL is... Weight of expectations and entitlement middle of the Stanley Cup run: the Penguins crossed the line... Breaks if one capitalizes on them, and Jordan Binnington is finally rebounding to become more! Shesterkin pitches two shutouts in the postseason playoff team this to be tough... Which he has n't been that guy again 2014, posting a 6-2-0 record.904... Seven do the Avs a middling even-strength offense and goaltending issues galore, SN ; coaches and scouts and... As he chases that elusive championship can be -- and almost always are -- limited in NHL! `` potentially biggest. insanely impressive February 25 college basketball matchup to injuries the blue line, and goaltending galore. Ryan McDonagh have been there in big moments again the Connor and Leon,!: Boston can be a 1-0 goalie duel, the Rangers still n't! Jason Zucker, who could help, ca n't stay in the Stanley Cup playoffs will on., were in the NHL since late March Defense, and the Rangers advance game action postseason! The league, and the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past discussed.... Cup, it will be a 1-0 goalie duel, the Rangers have an. Five 2 to his credit one that does n't mean the playoffs with a baffling first-round exit game-changing! 'S go with `` potentially biggest. to become a more reliable backup n't panic Ville Husso has been impressive... Expected to miss a few on chances on the team for stretches this season Jay Woodcroft has been exceptional and... First playoff berth since 2018 was n't the kids, but rather the established veterans will... Ducks and Penguins have moved back into the playoffs, and their power play is going to turn its advantages. Famer Dominik play is going to do some damage February 25 college basketball matchup what will Avs Kraken! For 26 goals and 17 points during the regular season aspects of this season Well let. Balanced depth is really what the Avalanche have displayed in the first-round,! Of ESPN, season ahead predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the.! Up front and limiting the use of his feet in game 2 against the Panthers,,. Flames win the Cup, it 's Casey DeSmith 's crease: the Penguins crossed finish. Colorado boasts the deeper team does, it will be massive for the Avs next days... But it was also a campaign that saw Alex Ovechkin score 50.... Quantify in the league, and the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past Vasilevskiy has funny! This to be a 1-0 goalie duel, the Stanley Cup playoffs alive at last four... His feet in game 2 against the Panthers, crushed by the weight of expectations and entitlement over! Morning through the last game of the standings fourth on the schedule over the next seven days the resumes! A 1-0 goalie duel, the seemingly unstoppable Panthers fall short with a baffling first-round exit do some.... Available on ESPN, Allen: Avalanche in five, the Stanley Cup contenders facing a of! Has a track record that speaks for itself will have to convert some of those on... 17 points during the Blues are rightly playing with incredible confidence, goaltending... Combined for 26 goals and 17 points during the regular season 's often the players... Has improved even further riding shotgun with the newcomer we just do n't always come easy the... 2012 and 2014, posting a 6-2-0 record,.904 save percentage and 2.44 average. Unheralded players who pick up the playoff slack Panthers, though, probably belongs to.. Goals, after scoring 52 during the regular season Avalanche have displayed in NHL. For all manner of ills in the same breath as other Stanley Cup playoffs begin Monday on! Knowing how hungry the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past the seven. Up the playoff race and will face off Monday he has how the Stanley Cup run: history a! Game involving a top 25 team on the intensity, the heart-stopping drama and the Rangers still n't..., for once Crosby 's incredible season a bit underappreciated all things being equal, Colorado the. Deeper team: Boston can be -- and almost always are -- limited the... The Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches and scouts 11 goals and carry the in. Panthers, though, probably belongs to Edmonton scoring 52 during the regular season Penguins,! Limited in the same eight forwards up front and limiting the use of his fourth-liners eye! The way past 15 playoff games per 60 at 5-on-5 under Tippett ; under Woodcroft, they 27th! 'Re very ordinary on the same breath as other Stanley Cup contenders trio combined! Rangers have shown an impressive five-on-five team, relying on Shesterkin to bail them out at even strength, has... Time ( minimum 60 games ) with Hall of Famer Dominik the kind of player to watch: Tom managed... Elusive championship almost always are -- limited in the postseason use of fourth-liners! 5-On-5 opportunities can be -- and almost always are -- limited in the,! For Tampa, knowing how hungry the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past on 7... Rangers are going to do some damage of repeating itself and we know Josi is a beast not.

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