Goaltending key in NHL playoffs
Columnist offers predictions on second-round matchups
The participants in the 2022 NHL playoffs have dropped from 16 teams to eight entering the second round that begins May 17.
Here's a brief preview of each series and which teams could be victorious:
CALGARY FLAMES VS. EDMONTON OILERS
“The Battle of Alberta” is a legendary NHL rivalry, but this is the first time since 1991 that these two clubs have clashed in the playoffs.
The Flames finished first in the Pacific Division this season, with forwards Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm enjoying career-best performances.
In second place were the
Oilers, who were among the NHL'S hottest teams after Jay Woodcroft took over as head coach.
Superstar forwards Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl give them a lethal one-two scoring punch.
Goaltending could make the difference here. The Oilers' aging, oft-injured Mike Smith has played well over the past two months. However, Vezina Trophy finalist Jacob Markstrom should give the Flames the advantage in what should be a long, physical, entertaining series. Flames in seven.
FLORIDA PANTHERS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
For the second straight year, these two clubs face off in a postseason Battle of Florida.
The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy with this season's best regular-season record. The Lightning, meanwhile, hope to become the first team since the 1982 New York Islanders to win three straight Stanley Cups.
The Panthers were this season's highest-scoring club thanks to stars like Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and late-season acquisition Claude Giroux.
While the Lightning struggled at times this season and against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, their playoff experience, solid defence and the goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy should make the difference. Lightning in six.
COLORADO AVALANCHE VS. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Colorado and St. Louis tangle for the second straight year in post-season competition.
Led by forwards Nathan Mackinnon, Mikko
Rantanen and Nazem Kadri and defenceman Cale Makar, the Avalanche possess considerable offensive punch. The Blues are no slouches in the scoring department with nine 20-goal scorers including Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O’reilly and David Perron.
This series could be decided between the pipes. The Avalanche possesses a more reliable starter in Darcy Kuemper while the Blues started their previous series with Ville Husso but finished with Jordan Binnington. Avalanche in six.