The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffsYou are off to a wild start. There is a triple overtime thriller, two fights within one game, multiple upsets… and even multiple blowouts.
What are the key takeaways after seeing the playoff version of all 16 teams? What can we learn from this experience to help us predict the outcome of Game 2 and beyond.
We identified the following eight themes as the most important to follow up on Monday and Tuesday’s games.
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Florida on an upset alert
Three years ago, the NHL’s top-seeded players were just three years old Tampa Bay Lightning were swept out of the first roundColumbus These are the things that happen. That is the beauty of it all. Florida’s fate?
The Panthers’ performance against Washington in Game 1 was disappointing, especially when Florida led the Capitals by 2-1 heading into the third. The regular season saw the Panthers dominate as the league’s highest-scoring team, with only 15 games featuring two goals or less. Their superpower is offense. The Panthers have now dropped another Game 1 in a continuation of a trend that has been going on since 1997. Are you worried about what’s next? Is Game 1 just a blip in the radar? If so, Game 2 will be a quick fix. The Panthers don’t have a great playoff record, but they’ll be determined to prove it on Thursday. Shilton
Crosby and Malkin are looking for their last ride
Pittsburgh PenguinsCaptain Sidney CrosbyThe possibility that this will be the last Stanley Cup run of the core team that won two consecutive Cups, 2016 and 2017, has been openly discussed by Has spoken out. Evgeni Malkin, Kris LetangAnd Bryan RustYou are among the Penguins’ unrestricted free-agents this summer, which is the Penguins’ first offseason.
The star, who is 34 years old, played like he didn’t want the ride ending in Game 1 against Rangers. He made two amazing passes to set things up. Jake GuentzelGoals that erased a lead of 2-0 Rangers. So did Malkin. On a power-play goal with Rust that began with Letang, he was awarded the primary assist. He ended the game at 5:58 of triple overtime by tipping the Penguins’ 83rd goal. Igor Shesterkinfor the game win and the 1-0 series lead. “I’m not worried about my contract right now. Malkin stated that it was time to have fun and play some games. — Wyshynski
Toronto received a Stanley Cup playoffs matchup against Lightning in the first round as a reward for their franchise-record 115 point regular season. The Leafs had a difficult break In Game 1. Tampa Bay was dominated by Toronto from the very beginning of its 5-0 victory. The Leafs’ five-minute penalty stop in the first period was a feat of efficiency and their offensive game took off.
Auston MatthewsScored twice Mitch MarnerBreaking an 18-playoff match goalless drought Goaltender Jack CampbellThe 23-save shutout was a great effort by the Lightning. The Lightning looked out of tune, out of control, and downright defeated midway through the third. The series still has plenty of runway, but Toronto made it clear that it isn’t going to be intimidated with Tampa Bay’s recent history. Toronto could only feel stronger for Game 2, Wednesday Michael BuntingMatthews and Marner see a return of the top line. Shilton
The Shesterkin Show
Igor Shesterkin can’t add Game 1 to his Vezina Trophy nominee case. The ballots were submitted by general mangers at the end of regular season and Rangers goalie’s name will be on many of them. Shesterkin was remarkable for the Rangers’ triple-overtime loss at the Penguins. His 79 saves were the second most in a Stanley Cup playoffs contest. He was close to Columbus goalie Joonas KorpisaloEvgeni MALkin broke the 2020 record with 85 saves in the third extra session after the Penguins’ 83rd win.
Shesterkin was brilliant against a Pittsburgh team who had just found its rhythm at 5-on-5 in the second period. New York owes Shesterkin a win for this effort. Only one way to win Game 2: Hope to draw more penalties, as the Rangers’ elite powerplay converted their only chance against Pittsburgh. — Wyshynski
There are already unlikely heroes emerging
An Antti RaantaShow-stopper in his inaugural NHL postseason game Vitek VanecekHigh-flying Florida PanthersAt bay for the Washington Capitals? What do you think? David PerronHis first career playoff win against Vezina Trophy winner was his biggest ever. Marc-Andre Fleury? Ville HussoHe also managed a shutout of 37 in his NHL playoff debut.
The key performances in two of the lopsided Monday Night Game 1 wins didn’t come from superstars. Even if Raanta hadn’t been hurt, Raanta would have been the backstop for the Hurricanes against the Bruins. Frederik Andersen. The Canes won 5-1 thanks to Perron. Perron, who had skated in 92 playoff tilts, had never been able to hang up three on a netminder let alone lead his team to a win of 4-0. The list goes on. It’s all about unexpected contributions making an impact after season hockey. We can count on this trend to continue. Shilton
Blues, Flames get defensive
Some teams were scoring goals, but the others weren’t. St. Louis BluesAnd Calgary FlamesIn Game 1, place defensive stamps upon their series.
The shutting off of the Minnesota Wild, the Blues shut down the third-highest-scoring home team in the NHL this season (4.10 goals per game). There was no concern about Ville Husso becoming a wilting figure in the postseason spotlight. The performance of the goalie was more important than his performance. Six Wild power plays were stopped by St. Louis. The Blues came up with ways to limit the creativity Kirill KaprizovHis line with Mats ZuccarelloAnd Ryan HartmanAt 5-on-5, it was all night. That line did not generate one high-danger shot attempt during Game 1. Minnesota will need to make adjustments in order to improve their even-strength chances, and to gain something from their power play.
The Flames pitched a 1-0 shutout of Dallas in Game 1. Like the Blues they also held the Stars dynamic top line — Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz— Without a high-danger shot attempt and a minus-4 shots on-goal deficit at 5-on-5. Darryl Sutter was confident that he could throw any of his lines against them. It was a team effort to control the line. The Stars were limited to 16 shots Jacob MarkstromThey were all stopped by Darryl Sutter, who had nine shutouts during the regular season. This was a strong start for Darryl Sutter, one of the West’s favorites. It was also a great game that he loved — and he did. — Wyshynski
Nashville needs a fresh strategy
The Predators knew going in to Game 1 that Juuse SarosThe information wouldn’t become available until Game 3 back at Nashville. It was a difficult scenario for wild-card Preds who were up against top-tier Colorado. However, Tuesday’s results were shockingly disappointing. David RittichAssisted five goals on 13 shots and got the start Connor IngramHe was replaced by a player who came in at the last minute of the first period. Nashville lost 7-2.
Saros’ return date is uncertain. Nashville will have to make adjustments to its game plan if Game 1 is any indication. In the regular season, there were two Predators with 40+ goal scorers — Matt DucheneAnd he was the man who scored both Nashville’s Game 1 goals. Filip ForsbergThey won’t match the Avalanche’s output. Nashville needs to be more aggressive in this series than just watching the Avalanche win offensively (which was a lot for the Predators in Game 1) and it must do so with a high level of physical intensity. In Game 1, the Avalanche were tearing through Nashville’s defense quickly. If that continues, they will be finished in a week. Shilton
Oilers goaltending an again issue
When you are Edmonton OilersDecided to return it with Mike SmithAnd Mikko KoskinenWide criticism was levelled at their goalies during the offseason. There were many goalies who were available through trade or free agency last summer. Instead of signing Smith to a new two-year contract, why not upgrade the spot? This would allow Smith to reach his 40th birthday. Smith put an end to all the criticisms by winning nine straight games entering the postseason. Only twice did he concede more than two goals.
In Game 1, he turned into a pumpkin against the Los Angeles Kings. After giving up some ridiculous goals, he committed an unsanctionable turnover, passing puck into the slot to Kings forward Alex Iafallo. Smith made a fantastic save on Iafallo’s shot, but ultimately Phillip DanaultThis sequence saw the game’s winner.
Will Smith be back for Game 2? Jay Woodcroft wasn’t too concerned about Smith’s starter. “One puck-handling error. He saved a lot from that mistake. Woodcroft said that as a team, we can do everything to help him in this situation. It’s a skill he has. The one play you are referring to is one he would like to get back.” — Wyshynski