The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffsWhile it did not include enough blowouts to be our favorite, it provided at least three Game 7s. This is the ultimate “tension convention.”
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Saturday will be the first time since Apr. On Saturday, April 30, 2014, there will be three Game 7s. It will also be the first occasion in NHL history that two Game 7s have been hosted simultaneously by Canadian teams.
Here are some tips to help you get ready for Boston Bruins–Carolina Hurricanes (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Tampa Bay Lightning–Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, TNT) and Los Angeles Kings–Edmonton Oilers (10 p.m. ET, ESPN(), we are determining the X factors for each contest, and making final-score predictions.
4:30 p.m. ET | Watch live on ESPN
Top scorers Brad Marchand, Bruins (4G| 7 A)
Tony DeAngelo, Hurricanes (1 G | 7 A)
Boston’s path to victoryThe Bruins don’t have anything to lose. This is the best news. Carolina is the overall better team in this series. They were the higher seed going into. They still have a chance of beating Boston.
Carolina has to perform in Game 7. The Bruins can just go out and play. This will be the Bruins’ superpower. They benefit from the expertise of their veterans Patrice BergeronBrad Marchand. They are goal-scoring geniuses. David Pastrnak Taylor Hall. They have solid goaltending. Jeremy Swayman, and a backend led by the talents Charlie McAvoy. Boston must be its best to win Game 7. — Shilton
Carolina’s path to victory:This is why regular season matters. The Hurricanes are back in Raleigh, licking their wounds and knowing they have dominated the Bruins at home ice this series.
They’ve outscored them by 15-4, but they’ve also scored early and often. Carolina led by 2-0, 3-1 and 4 in home victories. They have been penalized less in all three of their home games. They’ve gotten better goaltending, as Antti RaantaRaleigh has a rate of.974 saving. They can match up against the top two lines of the Bruins. “Obviously, at home, you get the last chance. This is an advantage. However, you still need to be there to play,” stated defenseman. Jaccob Slavin. They’ll be there with the energy and passion of their home fans. — Wyshynski
Shilton’s X factorThis could all come down to goaltending. Carolina has not been assigned a starter for the series. Frederik Andersen. Raanta has been a tremendous absence, and Swayman is equally great since taking over. Linus Ullmark. Swayman is still riding high after Game 6, and that confidence could continue to be a major factor for the Bruins.
Wyshynski’s X factorLine matching. Coach Rod Brind’AmourWhen it came to getting the white flag, Boston waved it. Sebastian AhoThe Bruins’ Marchand-Bergeron duo is now gone. Bergeron played the majority his time against the Hurricanes’ top team, the Bruins having the last change. Carolina had sent out in each of their three previous wins. Jordan StaalAs a countermeasure to Bergeron and Marchand,’s line will get Aho away from them. It could be the Aho Line that makes the difference in Game 7.
Final score predictionShilton: 3-2 Bruins
Wyshynski: 5-3 Hurricanes
7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Top scorers Nikita Kucherov, Lightning (2 G | 6 A)
Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (4 G | 4 A)
Tampa Bay’s path to victoryThe Maple Leafs could talk about being the superior team in the series while their past playoff failures – not having won any playoff series since 2004 – being buried in history. It’s Game 7. It’s the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Lightning are facing their first challenge in a series.
The Lightning need to be more aggressive in defense of their opponent tactically. Andrei VasilevskiyIt is impossible for the Leafs not to score multiple goals as quickly as they did in their last two games. The road to victory is straight. It has been blazed before. Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Alex KillornAndrei Vasilevskiy. The Lightning won Game 7 to reach the Stanley Cup Final last year. The Leafs are currently 0-8 at Auston Matthews.Mitch MarnerThis was an era in which they had a chance of eliminating their opponents. — Wyshynski
Toronto is on the right path to victoryThe Leafs’ recent sad history of not being able to advance in playoffs should motivate them to do well in Game 7. Toronto was the superior team in Game 6. With so many opportunities, it was difficult to accept losing in overtime. Vasilevskiy was spectacular in net, and Toronto can expect the same to happen in Game 7. The Lightning have shown that they are capable of winning on a large stage in the past two years.
Yet, Toronto has outplayed Tampa in this series more often than usual. Matthews, Marner and other core team stars are among the most prominent in this series. William Nylander John Tavares— All of them have been significant contributors in the past two games. Jack CampbellThe net is now back to point. They have a chance to push through if they can maintain the status quo and challenge Vasilevskiy more with traffic in front. — Shilton
Shilton’s X factorIt is not so much about being a player, but the ability to manage circumstances. This series was defined by big momentum swings. There were penalties, but not. Opportunities missed and opportunities taken. Toronto should not let the Stanley Cup history of Tampa intimidate them. Campbell has a save percentage of sub-.900 in this series (.893) — as does Vasilevskiy, (.885). Most of the matches have been even. Game 7 will decide which team is the calmest, most collected, and coolest.
Wyshynski’s X factorAll the attention on the Lightning’s 17-0 record following postseason losses is not enough to convince the Maple Leafs that they have to overcome a completely different streak (eight consecutive losses in games that would have been their series win) to get to the next round. Vasilevskiy’s shutout was in the final game for Tampa Bay’s five series victories, which included two Stanley Cup-clinching triumphs. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been great in this series with a.885 save rate behind a very weak defense. He’s been a great player in the past, closing the door when the Lightning are about to close.
Final score prediction Shilton: 4-2 Maple Leafs
Wyshynski 4-3 (OT), Maple Leafs
10 p.m. ET | Watch live on ESPN
Top scorers Adrian Kempe 4 A)| 4 A)
Connor McDavidOilers (3G | 9 A)
Los Angeles is on the right path to victoryWhile “First goal wins!” is a cliché in the Stanley Cup playoffs but it is undoubtedly true in this series. They have won three of their three victories; they have lost three. Scoring first allows the Kings’ defensive setup to be set up. The lead is padded to provide a safety net in case Connor McDavid scores for Edmonton.
To win Game 7, however, they will need two things. To raise their competitive level to match the Oilers’, who were the superior team at 5-on-5 in Games 6. They will also need to find someone who can make an offensive difference. Trevor MooreThey scored three points in Game 1. Carl GrundstromThey had three points in Game 4. Adrian Kempe scored three points and won overtime in their Game 5 win. Who will be this time’s hero? — Wyshynski
Edmonton is on the right path to victoryGive the puck Connor McDavid. You’re kinda kidding. McDavid (12 point) was the loser in this series. Edmonton’s stars won. Evander Kane (seven goals) to Leon Draisaitl (eight points). These big names must be seen against a Kings team with great offensive depth and capable to locking down defensively.
There’s also Jonathan QuickThis series has seen a lot of revelatory and rickety performances from, The Oilers love creating rush chances. However, Quick could make Quick more comfortable in traffic and be more dedicated to the cycle game. Finalizing a series is a long-term task. The Oilers should treat Game 7 as such. — Shilton
Shilton’s X factor Phillip Danault. He has been a great player for the Kings throughout this series and throughout the season. With his suffocating defense game, he’s repeatedly disappointed the Oilers. Danault is a master of all things L.A., from winning crucial faceoffs to scoring timely goals and fighting for loose pucks. He is the definition and embodiment of a difference-maker with the ability to make Game 7 in L.A.’s favour.
Wyshynski’s X factorQuick still has the potential to deliver a vintage performance. In each of the Kings wins, Quick was a strong goaltender. This includes his 31-save Game 4 performance which made it a series. Although we don’t anticipate Quick to put in that much effort in this game. Quick will make a difference if he is on.
Final score predictionShilton: 4-3 Kings
Wyshynski: 3-2 Kings