USA TODAY International Edition
Blackhawks, Leafs seem to be on opposite paths
The first round of the NHL playoffs often reads like Tales of
the Unexpected. Upsets are a tradition as much as overtime and hiding injuries.
But this year’s first round seemed to have more twists than usual. Some first- round surprises.
1. Chicago Blackhawks looking stale: Has this group run out of magic? With three Stanley Cup championships since 2010, the Blackhawks have been the most impressive team in the salary cap era. But they looked worn out in losing four consecutive games to the Nashville Predators.
They scored three goals and at times appeared overmatched. General manager Stan Bowman has said there will be changes.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs’ readiness: The Maple Leafs are a team on the rise, and they are even closer to being a force than many realized. The Maple Leafs pushed the No. 1 Washington Capitals to six games, including five that went to overtime, before bowing out.
Based on how they performed in the first round, the Maple Leafs might be major contenders next season, depending on their offseason improvements.
Toronto center Auston Matthews became the first teenager since Wendel Clark ( 1986) to score goals in four consecutive playoff games. He proved he’s ready to lead his team.
3. Two major housecleanings: In the midst of all the playoff excitement, the Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres fired their general manager and coach.
The Kings’ decision raised eyebrows because GM Dean Lombardi and coach Darryl Sutter had won two Stanley Cups since 2012.
Rob Blake is the new GM in Los Angeles, and the big question is whether Lombardi will end up in Buffalo. Based on his credentials, he might be what the Sabres need to get over the hump.
4. Jake Allen’s rise: When the St. Louis Blues fired Ken Hitchcock this season, there was a question about whether Allen was a long- term solution in net.
Allen’s save percentage is .942 since Mike Yeo replaced Hitchcock. His save percentage from the start of the regular season to Jan. 31 was .895.
He played brilliantly (. 956 save percentage) in the first round and was the primary reason the Blues downed the Minnesota Wild.
5. Ryan Johansen’s dominance: In the first round, Johansen was the No. 1 center Nashville GM David Poile hoped he would be when he traded Seth Jones for him last season.
He had six points in four games and won 60.2% of his faceoffs. The line of Viktor Arvidsson, Johansen and Filip Forsberg generated five goals and 10 assists and boasted a combined plus- minus of + 22.
If Johansen continues this level of play, it could alter the Predators’ outlook for years to come.
6. Alexander Radulov could get paid: The Montreal Canadiens didn’t have enough scoring, but that wasn’t Radulov’s fault. He totaled seven points ( two goals and five assists) in six games against the New York Rangers.
He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Given the lack of talent available in the free agent marketplace, Radulov, 30, making $ 5.75 million this season, could become one of the hottest free agents.
The Canadiens will attempt to re- sign him, but he might prefer to be with a team that could surround him with more offensively gifted players.