The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffsThey are off to an exciting start with a triple-overtime thriller and two fights in one match, multiple upsets, and multiple blowouts.
What are the main takeaways from seeing all 16 playoff teams in postseason? How does this all help us to predict what will happen in Game 2?
These are the eight most important themes that we believe should be followed after the Monday and Tuesday games.
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Florida on an alert
Only three years ago was the NHL's highest-seeded player. Tampa Bay Lightning were swept out of the first roundColumbus These are real things. That is the beauty of it all. Florida's fate?
Even though Florida was leading the Capitals 2-1 entering Game 1, the Panthers' Game 1 performance against Washington wasn't impressive. The league's best-scoring Panthers team posted just 15 games with no more than two goals in the regular season. 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. Is this a bad sign for what's ahead? Was Game 1 a minor blip that can be easily fixed by a return to regular season form in Game 2 The Panthers don’t have a great playoff record, but they will be determined to prove that the last few months were not flukes. Shilton
Crosby and Malkin want their last ride
Pittsburgh PenguinsCaptain Sidney CrosbyHe has openly discussed the possibility of this being the final Stanley Cup run for his core team, which won two consecutive Cups in 2016/2017. Evgeni Malkin, Kris LetangAnd Bryan RustThey are among the Penguins’ unrestricted, free agents this summer as the Penguins begin their offseason.
The 34-year old star was a great player and made sure the game didn't end in Game 1. He even gave two fantastic passes to set up. Jake GuentzelGoals that erased the lead of the Rangers by 2-0 So did Malkin. On a power-play goal with Rust that began with Letang, he was awarded the primary assist. He tipped the Penguins' 83rd shot at 5:58 in triple overtime. 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. It was a tough break for the Leafs. In Game 1. From the beginning of their 5-0 win, Toronto was dominant over Tampa Bay. The Leafs' five-minute penalty stop in the first period was a feat of efficiency and their offensive game only grew from there.
Auston MatthewsScored twice Mitch MarnerBreaking an 18-playoff match goalless drought Goaltender Jack CampbellHe was fantastic, with a 23-save shutout. 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 not be more excited for Game 2 Wednesday. Michael BuntingEyes a return to the top with Matthews and Marner Shilton
The Shesterkin Show
Igor Shesterkin's Game 1 performance is not included in his Vezina Trophy candidate case. These 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 KorpisaloEvgenimalkin, who scored in the third session of the Penguins' 83rd game, broke the 2020 record for saves with 85.
Shesterkin was brilliant especially against a Pittsburgh side that had really settled at 5-on-5 after the first quarter. New York owes her a win. 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 RaantaHis first ever NHL playoff game was a show stopper. Vitek VanecekHigh-flying Florida PanthersAt bay for the Washington Capitals? What about? David PerronHis first career playoff win against Vezina Trophy winner was his biggest ever. Marc-Andre Fleury? Ville HussoA 37-save shutout in his NHL playoff debut?
The key performances in two of the lopsided Monday Night Game 1 wins didn't come from superstars. Raanta wouldn’t have been supporting the Hurricanes against Bruins if it wasn’t for an injury. Frederik Andersen. The Canes won 5-1 thanks to Perron. Perron had skated in 92 playoff games and never had to face three netminders before helping his team win 4-0. Continue the list. It's all about unexpected contributions making an impact after season hockey. This is a trend that we can expect 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). All concerns about Ville Husso's fading in the postseason spotlight have been dispelled. More important than Ville Husso's goalie performance was his performance in front of others. Six Wild power plays were killed 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. They held the Stars' dynamic top-line –like the Blues. Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, Roope HintzIt was without a high risk shot attempt, and there was a minus-4 shots on goal deficit at 5-on-5. As Darryl Sutter, coach of the Stars, was confident in his throws against them, it was a team effort to control that line. The Stars were restricted 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 new strategy
Going into Game 1, the Predators knew that Juuse SarosIt wouldn't be possible to access the game until at most Game 3 in Nashville. It was a difficult scenario for wild-card Preds who were up against top-tier Colorado. However, Tuesday's results were shockingly poor. David RittichHe was the first to score and allowed 13 goals. Connor IngramHe was replaced by a player who came in at the last minute of the first period. Nashville lost 7-2.
Saros is unlikely to be back in time, so Nashville will have to adapt its game plan. In the regular season, the Predators had two goal scorers who were over 40 years old. Matt DucheneAnd he was the man who scored both Nashville's Game 1 goals. Filip ForsbergBut they won't be able to match the Avalanche for 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 had no trouble getting past Nashville's defense. If that continues, they will be finished in a week. Shilton
Oilers goaltending again
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. Smith could have been upgraded to a spot on a two-year deal, which would last him beyond his 40th. Smith, however, dispelled many critics by a winning streak that reached nine games entering the postseason. In which Smith gave up more than two goals twice, Smith was able to calm down.
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 saved Iafallo's shot with a tremendous save, but it was too late. Phillip DanaultThat sequence was the winner of the game.
Will Smith be back for Game 2? Jay Woodcroft did not make any commitments about his starter. “One puck-handling error. He was able to make a huge save from this error. Woodcroft stated that he believes the team can help him in such a situation. He has a great skill. He'd love to return that one play you referred to. — Wyshynski
