We are on to the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. At this time, I picked six correct opening round series winners. My only loss was Game 7 in Boston. I’m sure that loss stings more to fans in Toronto than it does to a neutral observer in California. If the Stars win at home on Sunday vs the Knights, I will be seven of eight. I’ll take it.
ATLANTIC
The Florida Panthers won the Battle of Florida. They were better than Tamp Bay Lightning in every facet of the game. Sergei Bobrovsky outdueled Vasilevskiy in net. Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos effort and goals turned back time. Mikhail Sergachev‘s return was valiant. It The Big Cats have been on a mission all season. Beating the Bolts were the 1st obstacle on the road to Lord Stanley. Florida receives contributions from everyone in the lineup. Carter Verhaeghe is the clutch goal scorer of this decade. Hopefully Sam Bennett can return to the Panthers lineup soon, The Toronto Maple Leafs have nothing to be ashamed of in their loss in seven games to the Boston Bruins. For the first time under Sheldon Keefe the Leafs played physical, the stars showed up ( when they were in the line up) and they got adequate goaltending. The Bruins got superb goaltending. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery finally figured out to keep Jeremy Swayman in net. Brad Marchand played Captain hockey. David Pastrnak did what true superstars do. They score big goals. The Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov with show the Boston Bruins what Patrice Bergeron would look like if he had the offensive game everyone he pretends did.
PANTHERS in 6
METROPOLITAN
The Carolina Hurricanes blew right through the New York Islanders. The New York Rangers swept the Washington Capitals. The Canes showed off four lines of depth. It’s an embarrassment of riches to have Evgeny Kuznetsov on the fourth line. Andrei Svechnikov is healthy as a bull and bullying his way up and down the lineup. Freddie Andersen played the best net he’s ever played in the playoffs vs the Fishermen. The Rangers won in four over the Capitals, but weren’t impressive doing it. Goalie Igor Shesterkin was barely tested. Second line center Vincent Trocheck is a fabulous player. Trocheck was the best player on the ice for New York. He outplayed the stars. When Trocheck is your best forward you’re not beating Carolina.
HURRICANES in 6
PACIFIC
The Edmonton Oilers dismantled the Los Angeles Kings’ 1-3-1 strategy. Connor McDavid skated circles around them. The Oilers power play was lethal and received so much practice because the Kings took an inordinate number of stupid penalties. Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner was solid but rarely under siege. Arturs Silovs saved the entire Vancouver Canuck organization in their series vs the Nashville Predators. The 3rd string goalie filled in brilliantly for Vezina Finalist Thatcher Demko and unreliable backup Casey DeSmith. Dakota Joshua was the most saved member of the Canuck organization. The Canucks could have won the series in 5 games not 6 but Joshua almost took the Craig Berube penalty. The Berube is when you take a selfish, stupid penalty that costs your team the game and the series. Joshua won’t have to worry about committing the Berube in round 2. The Canucks won’t have a chance to win the series.
OILERS in 5
CENTRAL
The Colorado Avalanche destroyed the Winnipeg Jets. After a shaky Game 1 Avs goaltender Alexandar Georgiev outplayed Venzina finalist Connor Hellebuyck who didn’t have any saves he only had excuses. Valeri Nichushkin and Arturi Lehkonen were so dominant Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen had pedestrian series by their standards. Cale Makar once again looked like Bobby Orr. The Vegas Golden Knights won the first two games of their series vs the Stars in Texas. Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo jumped back into the lineup and made an immediate impact. It looked over for Dallas then goaltender Jake Oettinger found his game and the Stars won three straight. Dallas has found a new superstar in this series, Wyatt Johnson. Vegas put Cup winner Adin Hill in net and took Game 6. Game 7 is a tossup but whoever wins loses to Colorado.
AVALANCHE in 7
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