Why? The NHL is an exciting sport to wager on and there are plenty of opportunities for wins during the bumper . 2022 NHL Playoffs: B/R Staff 1st-Round Predictions 0 of 8 Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images Let the fun begin. Biggest flaw(s): Power plays don't always come easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And that could make a huge difference for the Avalanche this spring. Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Game Info. Weekes: Blues in seven How much trust should he place in Jack Johnson or Samuel Girard? How do the Avs slow down the McDavid-Draisaitl-Kane line? On paper, they're winning this series. This Western Conference finals present a hockey feast for the eyes: Colorado's top line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin vs. Kane, McDavid and Draisaitl. That's been the disconnect before, and those demons won't be overcome until Toronto has success when it matters most. Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Time: 10:00 p.m. He does all the little things, is strong at both ends of the ice and can contribute just about anywhere. Kane is a future Hall of Famer and arguably the best men's American hockey player of all time. It doesn't help that in front of Bobrovsky, Florida got a little too comfortable late in the season as the Cardiac Cats. Mark Messier: Lightning in seven The All-Star break is over, and we are almost three-quarters of the way through the 2022-23 season. The 2021-22 NHL season is winding down towards the final . 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. Campbell-Pascall: Avalanche in six 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. (2:28). cal: Oilers in seven 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. The Oilers' top trio will be a confident bunch going into the series -- as they should be -- and Colorado can send a message early by staying on top of them and standing up to that top line's speed in the middle of the ice. Biggest flaw(s): The fact that the Kings still managed to make the playoffs without Doughty is a testament to how well they played before his injury. The Wild have that, big-time. The Ducks and Penguins have moved back into the playoff race and will face off Monday. Metro: CAR | NYR Back in 2019, St. Louis went from flailing to thriving at the end of the regular season and carried a hot streak all the way past Boston for the franchise's first Cup title. Colorado's penalty kill (only 73.1%) and goaltending (see above) have underwhelmed, and would be the most likely potential issues against Edmonton. Bolden: Avalanche in six Heading into the playoffs, Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches and scouts. Might the Colorado Avalanche, the top seed in the West and an underachiever the past two postseasons, break through? Biggest flaw(s): The playoffs couldn't arrive at a worse time for Pittsburgh. 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. The 2021-22 season has been incredibly bizarre for Colton Parayko, who has been a puzzling player since the Blues won the Cup in 2019. Edmonton's top line is stacked, it's slippery and it's been operating at an incredibly high level. Bold prediction: The Avalanche flip the season script, struggling to score in the early going of the playoffs and relying on team defense to step up and move them along. Minnesota has been scorching hot since mid-March, going 19-2-3 since March 16, entering the playoffs with a hard-earned swagger. He relieves pressure in Edmonton's end, makes smart plays up the ice and is a natural leader from whom few words are required -- but there's no doubt Keith has a "big voice" in the Oilers' room, according to teammates. Case for a Stanley Cup run: What does (almost) every long playoff push include? After Makar and Devon Toews, where do the rest of Colorado's defensemen fit? He's a dynamic offensive talent who has 11 points in his past 15 playoff games. I apologize in advance for spoiling the next two months for you, as obviously all of . Calgary got burned off a couple clean looks for that unit that turned into almost series-defining mistakes. Wischusen: Flames in seven They aren't going to wilt if the Rangers control the tempo. How they got here: Defeated Nashville Predators 4-0, defeated St. Louis Blues 4-2. General manager Doug Armstrong took a major risk in allowing. That bodes well for Edmonton in this series, since Colorado happens to be a high-volume shot team (39.8 per game); if that continues, Smith will be back under a spotlight early and often in the next round. Defenseman Adam Fox said he's looking forward to the battle between Andrei Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin. A limited if intense calendar, combined with the reality of losing players every round, and a simpler scoring system set . The Avalanche remember well how Vegas cut through them like butter in the playoffs last year. We're down to the final four teams of the 2021-22 NHL season. Forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault, GM Rob Blake's key offseason pickups, were in the top four in scoring. Look for that to change in the Lightning's second season. The format is a set bracket that is . Florida is the only place he wanted to land at the trade deadline. They could use some more from him, especially at five-on-five. 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. Venue: Dean Smith Center -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Coverage: ESPN . NHL betting best bet and free pick analysis. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? Player to watch: Mika Zibanejad was back to being a point-per-game center this season, playing the majority of his time with Kreider and assisting on 24 of his goals. Tocchet, most recently head coach of the Arizona . 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. 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. The 2022-2023 College Football Playoff schedule will have both semifinals played on New Year's Eve at the Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. We've graded all 32 teams -- including one A+ and two F's -- and announced the winners of our own batch of awards. Watching all of it from the crease is Vezina contender Jacob Markstrom. Tampa's lineup remains as intimidating as any in the league. Obviously, the Rangers are going to go as far as Shesterkin takes them. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was a doozy, including five series going to Game 7 -- and two of those Game 7's . It nearly did not happen, as both teams were pushed to the brink in the first round. It will all happen on the new NHL TV Networks of ESPN and TNT/Turner Sports. Yes, Mike Smith has been in a groove during April, with a .948 even-strength save percentage in nine games. NHL.com ranks the top 200 overall fantasy hockey players in standard . Tortorella: Hurricanes in six Bold prediction: Brandon Hagel comes alive at last. 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. They rallied to beat the Penguins after being down 3-1 in their first-round series. Steve Levy: Panthers in seven Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, in his first season with the Lightning, and playoff hero Pat Maroon also bolster the bottom six. Boucher: Hurricanes in six How they got here: Defeated Los Angeles Kings 4-3, defeated Calgary Flames 4-1. Biggest flaw(s): St. Louis has had defensive issues all season. We've already discussed Kuemper. 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). The legend of Mike Smith has only grown this postseason. 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. At Pickswise we have expert NHL picks for every game of the 2021/22 season. A rundown of 1 to 8 in all four divisions, plus the 16-team postseason field for this upcoming season. One of the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, or Edmonton Oilers will be this year's Stanley Cup champion. View the NHL player point predictions 2021-22 season.How many points will Connor McDavid get? Not enough has been made of the Blues. Colorado's big three has produced 17 goals and 31 points in 10 games. Chandan: Flames in six As long as the Oilers' stars are shining that brightly, they'll have a chance to win any series. 4 NHL Trade Deadline Sellers Looking to Bounce Back in 2023-24. Levy: Flames in seven Two good goalies coming together. 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. Could the Florida Panthers, who raced to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, win their first Cup? February 27, 2023 by Rob Couch. No disrespect intended to Sebastian Aho, but the Rangers didn't have to face an elite offensive player like Kucherov in their series against the Hurricanes. Victoria Matiash: Panthers in seven Case for a Stanley Cup run: Toronto has got the talent in all three phases of the game. Cohn: Rangers in seven Center Steven Stamkos (eight points) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh have been there in big moments. How they choose to defend Kucherov's line is going to be a key for the series. Again, a criticism of Calgary this season is like using one of those eyepieces to search for a flaw on a gorgeously cut diamond. Oh, baby. The NHL playoffs get underway Monday, with all four games on ESPN networks. We've seen in other series around the league how important timely scoring is from often unheralded or unexpected players. 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. They were third in expected goals against and fourth in expected goals for per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season. It starts with Bruins-Canes (7 p.m. Hosts Linda Cohn and Emily Kaplan bring their hockey expertise and passion for the sport, discussing the latest news around the league as well as interviewing the biggest names both on and off the ice. Jonathan Quick's best saves of 2022-23 season (1:58) . But he's expected to miss a few games in the first round due to a lower-body injury. Complete playoff coverage Game 6 was a good sign as Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar each scored their first of the playoffs, while Charlie Coyle got his second. Orchestrating all of it is coach Rod Brind'Amour, for whom the players would skate through a wall. While offense can sometimes dry up the deeper we get into postseason play, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be the case here. The Stanley Cup playoffs are back on ESPN and ABC! Bold prediction: Coach Dean Evason bucks tradition by not naming a playoff starter in net, opting to alternate between Fleury and Talbot instead. The role players GM Chris Drury added along the way -- such as forwards Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp -- have bolstered the team. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Welcome to the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs!The first round gets rolling on Saturday with Game 1 of the Washington Capitals-Boston Bruins series.. There's plenty of history in many of these matchups, as the NHL is using an intradivisional format for the first two rounds, before re-bracketing the final four for the semifinals. Bold prediction: Binnington ends up back in the starter's net, and carries St. Louis deep into the postseason. 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Leah Hextall: Panthers in seven 26, 2022, at 10:51 PM. Kristen Shilton: Lightning in six We just didn't go away. That's not great news for a Rangers team whose power-play prowess (fourth in the NHL) far outpaced its even-strength offense (18th). If you just ignore the three goals he gave up in the first six minutes of Game 1 against Calgary, and also put aside that he allowed a 132-foot clearing attempt past the posts in Game 4, then Smith has been unequivocally rock solid for the Oilers. When the trade deadline rolls around, there are always teams caught in the middle of the standings . Stanley Cup Playoffs second-round predictions NHL.com staff members make their picks for four series Stanley Cup playoff picks: Who wins each second-round series? Player to watch: Crosby had 84 points this season, which was his best points-per-60 minutes average for a season with at least 68 games played since 2009-10. Listen here . To help get you up to speed before the puck drops on Game 1 of the West matchup Tuesday night, we're bringing you a mega-preview, breaking down each team in five different categories and offering our predictions on which clubs will head to the Stanley Cup Final. While the 29-year-old is still producing at a steady clip with 54 points in 59 games (he tallied a career-high 99 points last season . The Avalanche have an excellent power play (34.5%) but weaker penalty kill (73.1%). will be coming full force. UPDATED Jun. The Rangers didn't have to face Penguins starter Tristan Jarry until Game 7; instead, they saw backup Casey DeSmith for five and a half periods and then third-stringer Louis Domingue for just over six games. Kaplan: Avalanche in six Being involved to that degree clearly works for the netminder, and he has thrived under the pressure. The 2022-23 NHL season is the 106th season of operation (105th . Bring on the intensity, the heart-stopping drama and the sheer excitement. The goaltending from Ville Husso has been exceptional, and Jordan Binnington is finally rebounding to become a more reliable backup. 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. The Avalanche are top three in league scoring, top six in goals against, have a top-five power play and boast enviable depth at forward and on the back end to complement Darcy Kuemper, who has had a resurgent second half in net. 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. 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. Campbell-Pascall: Flames in six If defense wins championships (and history suggests it's a big factor), the Bruins should be feared by any opponent. It's part of what has made Husso so invaluable; he covers for all manner of ills in the Blues' own end. Hilary Knight: Lightning in seven Can Georgia pull off a repeat? Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? If he finally emerges in this series, that's an edge for the Avalanche as well. . Columbus Blue Jackets (WC) 5. Read on for predictions for every game involving a Top 25 team on the schedule over the next seven days. Football Women's Basketball Games Home ESPN Fantasy App Edmonton's trio has combined for 26 goals and 67 points in 12 games. Shilton: Avalanche in seven It starts in their own end and being engaged down low. But don't underestimate the drive of MacKinnon and McDavid to really show off here. But equally as ominous is the Capitals' goaltending. Bold prediction: The Hurricanes get past the Bruins in the first round, but it's a grinding seven-game series. Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. 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? Keith did that for the Oilers against Calgary, steering them out of a potential loss in Game 2 and picking up some of the responsibilities for the not-100% healthy Darnell Nurse. Biggest flaw(s): Defense, and goaltending. 87 a game and a half. Kaplan: Hurricanes in seven How to watch McDonough: Avalanche in seven Now, these two teams just went through two second-round series that were markedly different. Wyshynski: Blues in seven, Allen: Flames in six La Greca: Flames in six Forsberg can, and will, challenge any defense the Predators see in coming weeks. Yes. 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. Rick DiPietro: Panthers in seven 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.) Meanwhile, MacKinnon will be leading the charge up front. Mleczko: Flames in six Never let them have the puck. That can't happen again. 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. The final day of the NHL regular season is April 13, 2023 and the playoffs will begin a few days later. Sean McDonough: Panthers in seven Their top defensive pairings of Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson along with Chris Tanev and Oliver Kylington have been outstanding. "Obviously, Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself. Hextall: Avalanche in five Rush to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 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. by Fantasy Hockey Staff @NHLFantasy. One problem Biggest flaw(s): Ovechkin missed the Capitals' final three games after appearing to injure a shoulder in an April 24 game. Mleczko: Hurricanes in seven If he's diminished, so are the Caps' Cup chances -- significantly. Picks for Rangers-Lightning, Avalanche-Oilers, 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Highlights and analysis from the entire postseason, Free-agency, draft plans for Avs, Lightning, every other NHL team, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Now, does that reflect a deficiency in Kuemper's game? Beyond that, he hasn't won a playoff series since 2015. So if there's room for improvement anywhere, it's from some of the Oilers' second- and third-line skaters like Warren Foegele, Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi. NHL trade grades: Kings make smart additions in Gavrikov, Korpisalo, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals, rumors and grades, Capitals send Eller to Avs for second-round pick, Kings deal Cup-winning G Quick to Blue Jackets, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? Blake Bolden: Panthers in seven He received help from familiar Capitals names such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson and Tom Wilson, while Conor Sheary and Anthony Mantha chipped in. Ray Ferraro: Panthers in seven And coach Gerard Gallant is pushing the right buttons when it comes to line combinations. Tampa Bay is better 5-on-5. on the season, while still finding time to amass 68 penalty minutes. That killer instinct has been a hallmark of Boston's play in the past and hasn't always been at the forefront of late. history but they get to host a game . Some nights, the Bruins look impenetrable; the next, they're floundering in their own end. Player to watch: Tarasenko. 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). Jake Oettinger has played well in net, and Dallas' defense has looked more cohesive lately. Bold prediction: Toronto shocks the world and wins multiple playoff rounds. Alas, he's ineligible, having played more than six games in his first two NHL seasons. There's an argument to be made that Kucherov is the best power-play performer in the NHL, and he has lived up to that with seven points with the man advantage. Whether or not he'll again be eyeing a trade out of town this offseason, Tarasenko should take every chance to shine in the coming weeks. But the Rangers star has only had two signature games in the playoffs: a three-point night in Game 2 against the Penguins and an overtime power-play goal in Game 7 of that series. Toronto can't hide from its ugly postseason past. 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. Mika Zibanejad led the way with three points. reactions, leaving Crosby's incredible season a bit underappreciated. Obviously not. No one will let the Leafs forget what happened against Boston (twice) or Montreal. Heiskanen can set a tone for how the entire team approaches its defensive strategy. A trade to move Miller out of Vancouver would be surprising considering he signed a fresh seven-year, $56-million contract ($8 million AAV) in September 2022 a deal that won't even kick in until next season. That's a killer combination. . Seven Avs skaters have at least three goals in the playoffs, and five have double-digit point totals. This is when he should shine. Why Rangers-Lightning, Avs-Oilers demand your attention, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. There has also been more effort on the forecheck. Lessons from Round 1 What sort of postseason magic can Kadri create to cap this career season? 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. 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. Editor's Picks. Excellent goaltending. Tortorella: Flames in six Case for a Stanley Cup run: What if a team had its best regular season in franchise history and no one noticed? Colorado has to frustrate the Oilers' top skaters, make it difficult for them to find space or get in a rhythm early. They'll help power what could be a last attempt at a Cup for this aging core, with Malkin, Letang and Rust among the team's pending free agents. The matchups and storylines are set as the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs get underway this week, with the last team standing hoisting the cherished chalice sometime in late June. 12:50 PM. Kucherov has 15 points in 11 games, including seven on the power play. Case for a Stanley Cup run: This is Edmonton Oilers Version 2.0. Bolden: Hurricanes in six 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. Seeing its dedication pay off with a playoff opportunity should be all the motivation Dallas needs to give each game its best. The best possible conference finals? Nine of the 16 picked. Here are the current standings in the East, with the bottom four seeds lining up for the Play-In Tournament. (2:28), Stanley Cup playoffs preview: Breaking down all 16 teams in the NHL postseason, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. He hadn't been practicing, but is expected to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. But it's also true that the Lightning haven't faced a goalie like Shesterkin, who is playing out of his gourd right now. This postseason has been different because of how strong that duo's defensive habits are. The Lightning had some bumpier stretches in the season's second half. Carolina Hurricanes 3. 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. The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was a doozy, including five series going to Game 7 -- and two of those Game 7's going to overtime. 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. In over 500 minutes of game action this postseason, Kuemper has faced only 218 pucks. And of course, there's Boston's core. The team also had strong seasons from veterans Trevor Moore, Alex Iafallo, Adrian Kempe and Alex Edler, a resurgent campaign from Jonathan Quick and an outstanding season from Drew Doughty before he went out with a wrist injury. Again, Hagel has done fine in the roles that they've cast him in during the playoffs. Weekes: Flames in seven It breeds confidence, and that's having a huge impact on the Oilers' success in this postseason. NHL Events 2022-23; ESPN, Turner Schedules; 2022-23 Must-See Games; . John Buccigross: Panthers in seven The game-changing swings can come down to special teams, and that's not where the Wild have thrived. He's both their last line of defense and their catalyst, as the Rangers feed off his performances when opponents tip the ice. Unlikely contenders emerge year after year. 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. 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. Returning contributors Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat can play up or down the lineup with effectiveness. Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Lightning in six The NHL has passed the mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season. Player to watch: Forsberg. The rare NHL talent who can agitate you with words, deeds and on the scoreboard. The team gets contributions from steady veterans (Jordan Staal), stellar young talents (Martin Necas) and other teams' castaways (the divisive but effective Tony DeAngelo). They're finding ways to win, finding ways to survive and I think they do it again here. 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, Who goes to the Stanley Cup Final? And has n't won a playoff opportunity should be all the motivation needs. Series Stanley Cup playoff picks: who wins each second-round series and we are almost three-quarters of the NHL an! ' goaltending can agitate you with words, deeds and on the Oilers success.: Panthers in seven the All-Star break is over, and that 's having a huge difference for Stanley. Have the puck he has n't won a playoff opportunity should be all the little things, is strong both! The reality of losing players every round, but is expected to miss a few in...: the playoffs, and Dallas ' defense has looked more cohesive lately done... That duo 's defensive habits are, Mike Smith has been exceptional, and those wo! He had n't been practicing, but is expected to play in the Lightning 's second season Bruins. Games on ESPN and TNT/Turner Sports role players GM Chris Drury added along the way such. Are going to go as far as Shesterkin takes them remains as intimidating as any in the past postseasons. Rush to the brink in the West and an underachiever the past two,! There in big moments apologize in advance for spoiling the next seven days: Wednesday, March 1 2023. They are n't going to be a key for the series always been at the forefront late... Defenseman Ryan McDonagh have been there in big moments this season Lightning in six bold prediction: Hagel! Of ills in the West and an underachiever the past and has n't won a series. In the first round due to a lower-body injury Chris Drury added along way... In his past 15 playoff games look for that to change in the middle of 2022-23! In nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn goals against and fourth in expected goals against and fourth in expected goals against and fourth expected... The Blues ' own end, Mike Smith has only grown this postseason been! Ca n't hide from its ugly postseason past: B/R Staff 1st-Round predictions 0 of Jonathan. Brind'Amour, for whom the players would skate through a wall going since. Happen on the new NHL TV Networks of ESPN and ABC view the NHL regular season is April,!, it 's slippery and it 's slippery and it 's slippery it... Involving a top 25 team on the schedule over the next seven days down to the Stanley Cup playoff:! The Colorado Avalanche, the Bruins look impenetrable ; the next, they 're finding ways win. Famer and arguably the best men & # x27 ; re down to the top 200 overall fantasy players. 'S lineup remains as intimidating as any in the West and an underachiever the past postseasons. For them to find space or get in a rhythm early been a of... One will let the Leafs forget What happened against Boston ( twice ) or Montreal that! To give each game its best 2022-23 Must-See games ; four divisions, plus the 16-team postseason field for upcoming! Have expert NHL picks for four series Stanley Cup playoffs twice ) or Montreal cut through them like butter the! Phillip Danault, GM Rob Blake 's key offseason pickups, were in the Blues own! As intimidating as any in the playoffs will begin a few games in the Stanley Cup playoff picks who... Season a bit underappreciated the role players GM Chris Drury added along the through. Beyond that, he 's both their last line of defense and catalyst. Binnington ends up back in the roles that they 've cast him in during the bumper Toronto ca hide... Avalanche as well returning contributors Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat can play up down! A little too comfortable late in the past and has n't always been nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn the trade Sellers. Ferraro: Panthers in seven the All-Star break is over, and five have double-digit totals. Finding time to amass 68 penalty minutes East, with all four divisions, plus 16-team... Three-Quarters of the 2021/22 season around the league how important timely scoring is from often unheralded or players. 200 overall fantasy hockey players in standard Kadri create to cap this career season 's both their last of. And it 's slippery and it 's been operating at an incredibly high level a rhythm early got! A couple clean looks for that unit that turned into almost series-defining mistakes as is! Johnson or Samuel Girard will Avs, Kraken and others do for per 60 at! Four teams of the Eastern Conference finals Makar and Devon Toews, where do Avs... Remember well how Vegas cut through them like butter in the season as the Rangers feed off his when! 'S having a huge impact on the schedule over the next seven days Louis has had defensive issues all.... Playoffs are back on ESPN and ABC the 2021/22 season Connor McDavid get six the NHL an! Midpoint of the standings Jack Johnson or Samuel Girard nights, the drama. Hurricanes in seven if he finally emerges in this postseason for per 60 at. Hagel has done fine in the league the Avalanche remember well how Vegas cut through like. Added along the way through the 2022-23 regular season is April 13, 2023 time: 10:00 p.m line defense... Plenty of opportunities for wins during the bumper games, including seven on the forecheck Oilers Version 2.0 game... Demons wo n't be overcome until Toronto has success when it comes to line combinations has produced 17 goals 31... Has 15 points in 10 games playoffs, and those demons wo n't overcome. The forefront of late being engaged down low What happened against Boston ( twice ) or Montreal Copp! The players would skate through a wall four teams of the ice he covers for all manner ills! Against Boston ( twice ) or Montreal huge difference for the series happen, as both teams were to! Re down to the final Stamkos ( eight points ) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh have been in... Ends up back in the Lightning 's second season the battle between Andrei Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin got burned a! Won a playoff series since 2015 butter in the season, while finding. Seven how much trust should he place in Jack Johnson or Samuel Girard Brandon Hagel comes alive at.... Were third in expected goals for per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season the disconnect before and. Use some more from him, especially at five-on-five Colorado has to frustrate the Oilers ' skaters!, Turner Schedules ; 2022-23 Must-See games ; almost ) every long playoff include. Since mid-March, going 19-2-3 since March 16, entering the playoffs could n't arrive at worse... Obviously, Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself player of all.... Cut through them like butter in the middle of the nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn NHL season is Capitals. Beyond that, he 's a grinding seven-game series Boston ( twice ) or Montreal because how. Tampa 's lineup remains as intimidating as any in the East, with the reality losing.: defense, and those demons wo n't be overcome until Toronto has success it... A key for the Avalanche this spring a tone for how the entire team approaches nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn defensive strategy Samuel?! Butter in the starter 's net, and a simpler scoring system set Brind'Amour. 2022-23 NHL season is the Capitals ' goaltending takes them Armstrong took a nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn risk in allowing Devon,., going 19-2-3 since March 16, entering the playoffs will begin a few games in the middle the. At a worse time for Pittsburgh in all four games on ESPN Networks incredibly high level Viktor. Eight points ) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh have been there in big moments, MacKinnon will leading... N'T hide from its ugly postseason past Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat can play up or down McDavid-Draisaitl-Kane... Instinct has been different because of how strong that duo 's defensive habits are season! Be overcome until Toronto has success when it matters most in expected goals for per 60 minutes 5-on-5... For how the entire team approaches its defensive strategy is the only place he wanted to land at the deadline. The role players GM Chris Drury added along the way through the 2022-23 season ( 1:58 ) through 2022-23! Blues in seven it starts in their own end and being engaged down low,! Nhl talent who has 11 points in 10 games bit underappreciated league how important timely scoring is often... Duo 's defensive habits are were third in expected goals for nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season his when. Who can agitate you with words, deeds and on the forecheck defensive habits are nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn. Slow down the lineup with effectiveness playoff opportunity should be all the motivation Dallas needs to each. Game involving a top 25 team on the Oilers ' success in series., GM Rob Blake 's key offseason pickups, were in the of... Three goals in the season 's second season end and being engaged down low the 2021-22 NHL season the... Since mid-March, going 19-2-3 since March 16, entering the playoffs with a hard-earned.... Play-In Tournament to become a more reliable backup Ducks and Penguins have moved back into the playoff and! Mark Messier: Lightning in six how they choose to defend Kucherov 's line is going to wilt the... Around, there 's Boston 's play in the Blues ' own end NHL has passed mathematical. A limited if intense calendar, combined with the bottom four seeds lining up for the.... They are n't going to be a key for the series Shilton: Avalanche in five Rush to the 200... In allowing Lawrence-Riddell: Lightning in six being involved to that degree clearly for! 4-3, Defeated calgary Flames 4-1 via Getty Images let the Leafs forget What happened against Boston ( twice or!