The official first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is over. Eight teams remain. A few things stood out this round. Physicality picked up, especially in the area of dirty play. Big hits and cheap shots led to major injuries. All the teams who lost stars to those major injuries were eliminated (Capitals/Nicklas Backstrom, Flames/Matthew Tkachuk, Hurricanes /Andrei Svechnikov, Canadiens/Brendan Gallagher).
Teams who recently won the Stanley Cup gave less than inspired performances. Much like the Penguins in the qualifying round the Capitals and the Blues did not seem all too interested in competing for the “Covid” Cup. Teams with younger players seem to be embracing the bubble. Older teams not so much. Twenty-two-year-old single guys get more out of ping pong tournaments then married guys who miss their kids.
First Round Recap
East
Flyers over Canadiens in 5
Most of this series was excruciating to watch. A trapping team versus a patient team. It wasn’t a chess match it was paint drying. It only got interesting when Matt Niskanen did his usual playoff cross check to an opponent’s face.
Islanders over Capitals in 6
The Barry Trotz Bowl was a Barry Trotz teaching seminar. Trotz’ Islanders schooled his former assistant Todd Reirden’s Capitals. Trotz had better team top to bottom but the victory was made easier when Alex Ovechkin was the Capitals only star to show up. The Trotz/ Reirden handshake said it all.
Bruins over Hurricanes in 5
Boston scuffled thru the round robin and tinkered with their lineup. By Game Three of this series they were the big, bad Bruins again. The Bruins found their game and their lineup. Ondrej Kase cemented his place on Boston’s second line. Boston’s defensive pairings are also set with Matt Grzelcyk and Connor Clifton as the bottom pair. Svechnikov’s unfortunate injury rattled the Hurricanes. They also did not get any key save from either Petr Mrazek or James Reimer.
Lightning over Blue Jackets in 5
The Lightning fortified their team at the deadline so they would not be pushed around by the Blue Jackets this year. They weren’t and their stars Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point shined. Blue jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo came back to earth after being sublime versus Toronto
WEST
Canucks over Blues in 6
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Blues have trouble scoring goals. The Vancouver Canucks do not. Vancouver has offensive stars and the Blues don’t. Blues’ Vlad Tarasenko was hurt. Jordan Binnington was not lights out in net like he was last year. Jacob Markstrom was lights out for Vancouver. The Blues couldn’t score enough to win. The Canucks role players played like stars and the Canucks stars played like champions in this series.
Avalanche over Coyotes in 5
The Avalanche exploited their mismatch at center. Av’s centers Nathan MacKinnon and Nazeem Kadri put their names in early for the Conn Smythe Trophy. By Game Four you felt sorry for Coyotes netminder Darcy Kuemper.
Stars over Flames in 6
The Stars could have and probably should have lost every game they won in this series. It was a crazy series with late goals and blown leads. Dallas’ young superstar defensemen Miro Heiskanen and John Klingberg were amazing. Calgary’s defenseman Mark Giordano looked old. Joe Pavelski may prove to be the free agent signing of the summer. In one year, he has become Dallas’ heart and soul.
Golden Knights over BlackHawks in 5
The Golden Knights are the best team in the West. They provided a measuring stick for the Hawks. How far away from the top are the Hawks? Their offense is close, the defense is miles away. Chicago’s blueliners could not handle Vegas’ forwards that come in waves.
Elite Eight Picks
Islanders over Flyers in 6
Islanders are better than the Flyers in every position but goaltending and assistant coach.
Lightning over Bruins in 7
The Lightning got a monkey off their back by beating the Blue Jackets. Tampa is always the best team on paper. Boston is usually the best team on the ice. It’s Tampa’s year to do it on the ice.
Avalanche over Dallas in 6
Colorado’s star forwards are leading their role players to the fight. Dallas’ star forwards are being dragged to the fight by their role players.
Golden Knights over Canucks in 6
The Canucks are the most exciting team left in the West. Canada’s last hope is an exciting mix of talent and grit. Vegas unfortunately is the best team in the West. Vancouver will have more opportunities. Vegas’s veterans know this is their best chance.
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