Round 2 has some tasty storylines
Next chapter of Stanley Cup chase continues before first round has even wrapped up
As only the NHL can plan, the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin before the first round ends.
Game 1 of the New York Islanders-Tampa Bay Lightning series will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday while Game 7 of Ducks-Predators starts at 10 p.m.
Talk about getting ahead of yourself. Regardless, that Isles-Lightning series could have been a battle between John Tavares and Steve Stamkos: two former first-overall picks (2008, 2009) who have elevated their minor hockey battles in Ontario to a much bigger stage for the game’s biggest prize.
Tavares seemed to single-handedly will the Islanders past the Florida Panthers and into the second round for the first time in a generation.
Stamkos, however, remains on blood thinners while recovering from blood-clot surgery; there is no timetable for his return.
That’s a bit of a blow for a league trying to market itself as a star-driven enterprise. Gone are first-round casualties Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Drew Doughty and Henrik Lundqvist.
Still, stars remain and the playoffs are appearing to be a coming-out party for the likes of Jamie Benn in Dallas and Joe Pavelski in San Jose. Familiar names to be sure, but now these guys can be seen right in prime time.
The big star-based series — Penguins-Capitals featuring Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin — should take the spotlight in the secondround.
Here’s Kevin McGran’s look at the second round. He is 3-4 in the first round, pending the outcome of the Ducks-Predators. (For what it’s worth, he picked the Predators in seven.)
ISLANDERS-LIGHTNING
Three Islander first-round wins were in OT. John Tavares was magnificent, with four goals and five assists. Goalie Thomas Greiss is about as unheralded as they get. The power play (25 per cent) and penalty kill (87 per cent) have been excellent. Tampa advanced on Ben Bishop’s goaltending and offence from one line: Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov had 10 of Tampa’s 12 goals. Edge: Islanders in seven.
PENGUINS-CAPITALS
Alex the Great vs. Captain Canada. Alex Ovechkin can wear a team down offensively and physically and has his strongest supporting cast yet.
Goalie Braden Holtby (playoffleading 0.86 GAA and .968 save percentage) is at the top of his game. Sidney Crosby (three goals) leads a balanced attack. Pittsburgh leads the playoffs with 4.2 goals for per game and 38.1 per cent power play success. Edge: Capitals in seven.
BLUES-STARS
St. Louis took four of five in regular season. Jamie Benn’s 10 points leads the playoffs. Dallas veterans, especially Jason Spezza (nine points), picked up the slack without Tyler Seguin. Dallas allowed 17 goals vs. Minnesota, using both Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Brian Elliott got the job done as the Blues slew their Blackhawks dragon and Ken Hitchcock avoided the guillotine. Edge: Blues in six.
SHARKS-DUCKS/PREDATORS
The aging warriors in San Jose will have up to a week’s rest. San Jose’s deep defensive core and ability to block shots has helped goalie Martin Jones look unbeatable. Joe Pavelski is a post-season force. Joonas Donskoi is a revelation. The Sharks lost the season series to both Anaheim and Nashville. Low scoring games were the norm. The Ducks play with fire; Preds aren’t yet battle hardened. Edge: Sharks in seven.