The NHL playoffs where upsets, heartbreaks, and drama awaited us. Three rounds of grinding and pushing for the chance at Lord Stanley’s Cup. Before we look at the 2 teams let’s see how the rest of the crew did?
Chicago Blackhawks: I feel like the window has just slammed closed on the Blackhawks championship window. The only reason they made the bubble is because the 3 teams in California were already tanking except San Jose because they don’t have their first round pick. Even if Chicago pulled off a Qualifying Round upset against the hosts in the Oilers, they suffered the same fate the LA Kings did a few years ago. Getting smacked in the first round by Vegas. I feel like the Blackhawks are either going to make splashes for young depth in free agency, or rely on their old core of Kane, Toews, and Crawford. Oh boy that is rough.
St Louis Blues: Remember what I said about the Blues having no such thing as a Stanley Cup Champion Hangover, I’d say I take that back. In this series they were no match for the Canucks speed and odd man breaks. Losing Jay Bouwmeester, and Vladimir Tarasenko being banged up for much of the series as well as Jaden Schwartz going ice cold. To me they played the role of the Winnipeg Jets last year who they actually beat in that series. Lose two straight at home, win the next two on the road, lose Game 5 in heartbreaking fashion, yet lay an egg in Game 6. Though this year there is no home ice because of the pandemic. Like the Capitals, Nationals, and Raptors the Blues should cherish last year’s cup because it might be the only one they would win for another generation.
Calgary Flames: This series to me is why the Calgary Flames have to be one of the most hard lucked franchises in the NHL. They stormed past Dallas in Game 1, then mounted a furious comeback in Game 2 only to alway Jamie Oleksiak to put the dagger in their hearts with 40 seconds left. In Game 4 they had a lead in the final minute with a chance at a 3-1 series lead only for Joe Pavelski and Alex Radulov to break them in the final 15 seconds and overtime. How about a 3 goal lead in the first period in Game 6 to give them a chance at Game 7, then 7 straight goals by the Stars happened. This offseason is going to be a potential crossroads in Calgary, Johnny Hockey and Matt Tkachuk are due for huge contracts and the team is soon entering Cap Hell. Just another year of the good old “Family Circus”.
Arizona Coyotes: I am honestly bummed, I thought the Coyotes had the core and momentum to go deep in these playoffs. Look at what they did to a Stanley Cup Contender in Nashville in the qualifiers. Then reality hits at the hands of Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs. In 5 games Colorado crushed Arizona’s hopes and dreams with just that ridiculous power play but they had no answers for a wall in Philipp Grubauer. The Coyotes window of championships is starting to open again, plus the team is still trying to get a new arena in Phoenix. If they get that state of the art Hockey Palace, invite the Suns too.
Montreal Canadiens: Entering the playoffs everyone outside of Quebec said that Le Canadiens shouldn’t be in this bubble. This was a team that overcame losing 8 straight games twice and was swept by the worst NHL team since 1993 Senators in the Red Wings to knock off the powerhouse known as the Penguins in the Qualifying Round, yet got bested by the Flyers in 6 games. This series was supposed to be a beatdown, but Philly despite being no match for the Habs speed and skill beat them thanks to powers of Carter Hart. You have to give credit where it is due to Carey Price for turning back the clock and the offense breaking into their full potential in Games 2 and 5 but I have a feeling Montreal will be very active this offseason. I wonder what Burgevan is going to do with the cap space he has.
Carolina Hurricanes: The trend of the Canes going to deep in the playoffs every time they make it there has been put on hold. They stormed past the hype machine of the Rangers in the qualifiers yet was no match for the Bruins for the second year in a row. Despite not having Tuukka Rask in net, Boston dominated like last year because of Marchand, Begeron, and Torey Krug. The Hurricanes are still looking for that next piece to take them over the top and it will have to wait because of their performance against Boston. Just regroup and get ready for next year.
Washington Capitals: This was my upset pick of the first round and oh boy I was right. The Capitals were no match for their old coach in Barry Trotz and the Islanders. The 1-1-3 formation that the Caps would run when Trotz was there killed them and cost Todd Reirden his job. They were no match for the Isles’ speed throughout the series and Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Oshie, and the rest of the front lines ran into the wall known as Semyon Varlamov. The Capitals could be in huge trouble because of the Cap situation in the next few years, and their owner is very cheap. This series was the definition of the phrase “Steamed Caps”. Enjoy them Washington!
Columbus Blue Jackets: Even though they didn’t make it far in the playoffs by means of losing in the first round but I must give John Tortorella and the coaching staff and front office a great amount of credit. They lost the Pred Man, Duchane, and Bobrovskiy this offseason plus their GM, yet they still made the playoffs because of their depth and goaltending. They shocked the hockey by knocking out the Maple Leafs in the qualifiers, but however reality hit them. Remember last year how Columbus swept the Lightning when they had the 62 win season and almost every award in the first round, well Tampa Bay didn’t forget and they certainly didn’t forget. Starting with the 5 overtime thriller in Game 1 the Jackets had trouble pulling off yet another upset. The main theme for them was the overtime losses in Games 3 and 5 as well. Even with the near Cinderella Story Columbus remains the least successful franchise in the NHL despite winning more playoff games than Winnipeg in their history.
Vancouver Canucks: I said this very statement about the Canucks in my playoff preview, “they are the dark horse team that is primed for a deep playoff run”. They took out the defending Cup champions in the Blues and nearly clipped the Golden Knights after trailing 3-1 before losing in 7. This team has plenty of speed and skill at key positions on the roster but it will need time before they can be a true Cup contender. The biggest question is who are they going to sign in this offseason because most of their meltdowns have come in FA. The good news is that 3 teams in the Pacific Division are likely tanking, the Flames are at a crossroads, the Oilers have no depth and of course that Vegas team that beat them thanks to Robin Lehner. I feel like it will be Canucks vs. Golden Knights for years to come.
Colorado Avalanche: The Avs crumbling to a division rival in the playoffs in a Game 7 with everything to play for. The fact that they even came back in this series is something to be proud of. The Stars had them on the ropes but in Games 5 and 6, MacKinnon and his crew of speedsters and power play quarterbacks blew them away, and just when everyone thought the Avs would overcome a 3-1 deficit in the series, the comeback kids in Dallas scored 15 seconds after the Avs took the lead crushed their hopes at Lord Stanley 7 minutes into overtime. The Stars did to Colorado as St Louis did to them last year. Ironic.
Philadelphia Flyers: I am not going to go too hard on my own team; they don’t deserve it. The problem with Philly wasn’t Carter Hart getting exposed but in which the speed and counter attack got wrecked by the Islanders 1-1-3. I will say even though they lost the series eventually I have to credit them from coming back from a 3-1 deficit with back to back overtime wins in Games 5 and 6. The good news is that they are a couple of years ahead of schedule they have some nice prospects, and Carter Hart looks like the goalie of the future. This may be a rough ending but they should be back. I am counting on you as a fan.
Boston Bruins: The Curse of the Presidents Trophy continues as the Bruins get smacked in the second round by the favorites to win the Cup. Just in the Tom Brady sweepstakes Tampa Bay one-ups Boston. This series like 2018 featured the Bruins dominating in Game 1 only for the Lightning to win 4 straight. The main reasons were these:
- No Tuukka Rask
- David Pastrnak played the series injured
- The Lightning beat them without a banged up Steven Stamkos
- The Bruins biggest issues are themselves instead of the Refs.
I think this could be their last chance at a Cup with this core because they have to pay most of their bottom 6 in the next two years.
Vegas Golden Knights: This team has gone from the internet sensation of the NHL to one of the most insufferable and annoying organizations in all of sports. The way their fans were already crowning them de-facto Stanley Cup Champions during the pandemic was insane. They had trouble taking out the Cinderella Canucks yet then came the x factor. The players were fighting each other in the locker room with curse words and fighting over premium minutes on the ice. Not to mention their coach Peter DeBoer is a dinosaur when it comes to coaching in Playoff Hockey. The offense went stone cold against a 34 year old journeyman goalie, and Robin Lehner just ran out of gas. Don’t give me excuses about how they should have played Marc Andre Fleury instead and if he did we would have won they said. To me they did overcome the cap crunch last year and firing their coach in the middle of the season yet made it this far. That is always a plus.
New York Islanders: The Isles 27 year drought of a Conference Finals appearance is over but the Cup drought still continues. To me this was an even series on paper but the Lightning had the late game heroics and Varlamov just couldn’t bail them out. I think the Islanders are going to be a Stanley Cup Contender for years to come especially with Trotz as the coach and several of their players are realizing their potential. I wonder how good they would be if they still had John Tavares. By the way you know what series Tampa Bay was getting revenge on Trotz for. Plus ESPN please don’t call the Islanders the team of New York over the Yankees and Rangers.
We are now down to two teams. Both have solid goaltenders and coaches that are desperate for the Cup, and two life at the party cities are ready to go nuts. Who is representing the West?
Dallas Stars: This was something last offseason that felt like a dream to many Stars fans and the citizens of Dallas. Years of mediocrity were hitting the franchise after their previous window vanished. Now, they’re back and look like the team that was the challenger to Avalanche and Red Wings at the turn of the century. This season was very pivotal for Dallas. Coming off a defeat to St. Louis in an overtime Game 7 last year, the Stars were looking to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. They had stretches in the season where they would underachieve and fans were calling for Coach Bowness’ head, and others where they looked unstoppable. The question going into the playoffs is what Stars team would we see? The answer is the one that made comeback after comeback. Round 1 against Calgary they blew a 2 goal lead in Game 2 yet rallied to score with under a minute left. Game 4 they were down 1 with 15 seconds left and in jeopardy of being down 3-1, they scored two goals in regulation and overtime to win. Then they scored 7 underanswered goals in a blowout in Game 6. Round 2 against Colorado they led 3-1 in the series but blew said lead to force Game 7. The Avs scored with 4 minutes left and everyone thought it was over. Dallas scored 15 seconds later and again in overtime. The matchup with Vegas was a total beatdown. The Stars are a team in every sense of the word. A team full of old vets, young talented players and solid bottom 6ers as well as having perhaps the best goalie in the NHL in Ben Bishop. This season was a dream for him. In the regular season he carried a team that was one of the worst in power play chances and odd man breaks. This postseason has been rough for him but the offense has picked up the slack plus he is out for the rest of the playoffs due to injury. Even if he has been out, his replacement Anton Khudobin has had the postseason of his life. If they are going to win it all it is on his shoulders. Then there are the skaters. Joe Pavelski leads the way with his leadership and physical mentality. After years of coming up short in San Jose he has a chance at winning his first Cup in what looks like a Hall of Fame career. Corey Perry the other free agent splash of the offseason. A former Cup winner on the 2007 Ducks has been another leader in the locker room that inspires the younger players even if his talents are declining. Miro Heiskanen has had a career year on the defense and has emerged into their leader in points this postseason. With guys like James Benn, John Klingberg, Tyler Seguin, among others there really are no weaknesses in that lineup. This is their first chance at the Cup since the Devils shot them in hearts in Game 6 in 2000 in overtime of their final game at the old Friendship Arena, and they get the chance to hoist the Cup for the first time since Bret Hull’s skate in the Sabres crease in 1999. Their opponent in the East just happens to be a team trying to overcome it’s demons of years past.
Tampa Bay Lightning: I never thought that this team would make it back to the Cup Finals after the last few years of playoff heartbreaks. They have done nothing but underachieve in the playoffs for years, now they get their shot at their first Cup in 16 years. Their story begins in the 2019 playoffs when they were swept out of the first round as the Presidents Trophy Winner by a Blue Jackets team that had never won a series in their existence at the time. Many fans wanted their coach Jon Cooper fired after the series as well as their GM Steve Yzerman. Going into the season the Lightning were still favorites to win the Cup with the talent and speed on paper, after struggling for much of the first half the Bolts went from underachievers to rattling off two 12 game point streaks. I felt like the playoffs would expose them.
1st Round vs Columbus: The 5 overtime thriller in Game 1 set the tone for the series, despite the Jackets doing everything they could to win revenge was the prize for these young and talented men.
2nd Round vs Boston: They lost Game 1 badly and everyone thought Boston had the strong advantage. Just like 2018 Tampa wins 4 straight against the Bruins after losing the opener.
3rd Round vs NY Islanders: They went up against the same coach that ruined the in 2018 in Barry Trotz who this time is in Long Island and he has a team of destiny that took out the top seeded Flyers and are looking like the Cinderella Team of the East. I think Kucherov, and Vasilevskiy had the final words.
The Lightning need zero introductions for their high end talent on the roster for the hockey nerds but to those who don’t know I want you to meet their core. Steven Stamkos, one of the best players in Tampas short history, has been unavailable for the playoffs so far but he is expected to return in the Finals. He has fought injuries all year and should be the catalyst once he comes back. Their main star of the playoffs and second best player is Nikita Kucherov who has been nothing but excellent in these playoffs. His status as a choker in big moments could be falling to the waist side if he gets his hands on the Cup. Brayden Point same deal, like Stamkos he has fought injuries yet is expected to be back in the Finals. Having him quarterback a top flight power play is crucial if they want to win the series. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been the brick wall that they expected him to be this postseason. He has overcome the ghosts of years past and is acting like a goalie on a mission. That mission is the Stanley Cup. With guys like Barclay Goodrow, Patrick Maroon, Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde, Victor Hedman, and Ondrej Palat as well as other contributors this team is built for these moments. There are two teams that the Lightning remind me of the 2019 Virginia Men’s Basketball Team, and the 2012 Ravens. Virginia lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2018 to UMBC yet kept their coaching staff and most of their players and won it all the next year. The 2012 Ravens had lost the AFC Title game in 2008, 2010, and 2011 yet kept most of their players and coaches despite firing the Offensive Coordinator in Cam Cameron yet won the Super Bowl by going on an unexpected playoff run. This could become the Lightning’s legacy as well. With the way they are playing there is still way too much time. This isn’t the first time they have made the finals with this core, they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 by knocking off Boston and the New York Rangers along the way. Their dreams would be crushed in 6 games by the Chicago Blackhawks Dynasty, hopefully a little better luck for them hopely. It’s either going to be Dallas partying like it’s 1999, or the Final Piece to the Lightning Puzzle of Dominance in their current window. WHO WILL WIN IT ALL!!!
Prediction: I know most of the experts are picking Tampa Bay to win this series easily but I think it is going to be closer than most people think. This is a series that will feature perhaps a Top 5 goalie in the league at the height of his powers and a journeyman that has had a Cinderella Story. The thing that the Stars have more than Lightning, players with Cup Finals experience. Based on the fact that Dallas has faced adversity throughout the playoffs and Tampa Bay hasn’t, I am going to pick the Stars to win in 6 games. Good Luck Everyone!
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