NHL playoff preview: Eastern Conference
It’s been a good last couple of weeks in the hockey world. Protocol for Phases 3 and 4 were agreed upon, a new six-year CBA agreement was approved, and most importantly, hockey is coming back! Teams are just a day into training camp and set to report to their respective hub city starting July 26.
The Eastern Conference was more competitive than it has been in recent years. I guess it’s a good thing that this year’s format calls for 12 teams from each conference. The 12 Eastern teams are all potential playoff contenders, making this year’s Stanley Cup finals representative completely up for grabs.
Games are scheduled to begin August 1 in Toronto. Here are the matchups:
Round Robin:
Boston Bruins (1), Tampa Bay Lightning (2), Washington Capitals (3), Philadelphia Flyers (4)
Qualifying Round:
Pittsburgh Penguins (5) vs Montreal Canadiens (12); Carolina Hurricanes (6) vs New York Rangers (11); New York Islanders (7) vs Florida Panthers (10); and Toronto Maple Leafs (8) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (9).
1. Boston Bruins
Big Question: Can the Bruins experience lead them to a second consecutive Stanley Cup final?
The Bruins needed one more win to have been named the 2018–19 Stanley Cup champions. It was definitely unfortunate considering the competitiveness of the series and the talent on the Bruins’ roster. But it didn’t take long for Bostonians to regain optimism in the Bruins organization as the team finished atop of the NHL standings at the pause. The Bruins were the best team in hockey this season led by team veterans Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand. While their roster consists of successful playoff experience, four months without competitive hockey may affect the Bruins the most. Bergeron and Marchand are in their mid-30s while Chara is 43, not to mention starting goaltender Tukka Rask is 33. In a conference full of promising young talent, the Bruins’ regular season form must carry over if they want a second consecutive shot at the Cup.
Key Player: Torey Krug
Playoff redemption isn’t the only thing that will be motivating Krug to achieve another successful cup run. These playoffs could be Krug’s final stint with the Bruins as he is set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason. Krug finished 10th among NHL defenseman in points with 49, the fourth highest on the Bruins. Krug became an important asset on both sides of the puck, establishing himself as another big leader on the Bruins’ defensive unit. Krug was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and has produced 337 points as a Bruin. With uncertainties surrounding his future, it’s make or break for Krug ahead of a difficult round robin schedule.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
I’m really eager to see Ondrej Kase back in action. The Bruins acquired Kase from the Ducks in the David Backes trade in February. He has produced pretty solid numbers in the past with Anaheim, so we’ll see if he makes an immediate impact now that he’s more settled in Boston.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
Big question: Are the fully healthy Lightning top Cup contenders?
The Lightning were once again rolling at the final stages of the regular season, after only five regulation losses in February and March. However, they ended last season in similar fashion and only made it as far as the first round of the playoffs. I’m convinced this year’s playoffs will go much differently. During their tremendous 2020 stretch, they seemed to head into most games with one of their top players scratched. However, the Lightning appear to be back to normal which allows them to become uncontestedly the league’s best defense and offensively strengthened with the trade deadline day additions of Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow.
Sidenote: Captain Steven Stamkos, who was set to miss the rest of the regular season did in fact recover, but sustained a lower-body injury during Phase 2 and won’t return to training camp right away.
Key Player: Nikita Kucherov
If Stamkos can’t recover by the start of Phase 4, all the spotlight will shine on Kucherov, who has led the Lightning in scoring the last five seasons. Kucherov was on pace to break 100 points for the third consecutive season and is a force to be reckoned with on the high powered Lightning offense. His leadership grows, as does his experience, and if his partnership with Stamkos and Brayden Point can carry into the playoffs, it’s going to take a grand effort to keep them off the scoresheet.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
It’s been a few quiet seasons for Kevin Shattenkirk on the Rangers and the Caps and this season wasn’t much different. However, his experience brings a lot to Tampa’s strong defensive core, which could lead to a greater productivity on Shattenkirk’s end.
3. Washington Capitals
Big Question: Can Ilya Kovalchuk be the Caps’ most productive forward?
The Capitals’ acquisition of Kovalchuk at this year’s trade deadline was a big statement hinting that they are poised to make another deep playoff run. Long time league followers know exactly what he can bring to a team’s offense, but is he the same dynamic point producer at 37? It’s hard to tell how well he’s gelled with the team in only seven games with Washington so far, tallying a goal and three assists in that short span. With his numbers not nearly as high as his pre-KHL stats with the Devils and the late Thrashers, it’ll be interesting to see how he fits into the Caps’ dominant offense and whether he can bring his best game to the big stage.
Key Player: John Carlson
This season, Carlson proved he is arguably the best two-way defenseman in the league. His career-high 75 points led all defenseman in scoring, which has him very highly ranked for the Norris Trophy. He’s become a key player on the Caps’ power-play, where he always looks to set up Alex Ovechkin for his clinical one-timer on the man advantage. Carlson’s versatility on both sides of the puck make him a difference maker when the team needs it most.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
Backup goaltender Ilya Samsonov was a pleasant surprise for the Caps so whether or not coach Todd Reirden chooses to award him some deserved playoff experience, the team is pretty set in goal.
4. Philadelphia Flyers
Big Question: Can Carter Hart be a reliable starter in his first playoff run?
In his second season with the Flyers, Hart quickly emerged as the Flyers’ starting netminder at just 21 years-old. He became one of the league’s most productive young goaltenders with a .914% save percentage in 40 starts, the youngest goalie to achieve that this season. Hart caught everyone’s eye after a sprawling glove save in an early season win against the Devils. Since then he’s been a major part of the Flyers’ surge to secure a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. However, how well can he handle the pressure in his postseason debut? Fortunately for Hart, he’ll be able to adjust to the playoff intensity in the play-in series before the high-stakes elimination rounds.
Key Player: Sean Couturier
It’s not often that a player is known for his ability to kill off a penalty but over the past few seasons, Couturier has become a lethal two-way forward for the Flyers. He was the team’s second highest scoring player with 59 points which makes you forget just how good he is defensively. Couturier uses his high hockey IQ to be a dangerous offensive zone forechecker, creating turnovers leading to many goal scoring chances. After finishing top 10 in Selke voting for the past two seasons, this could be the year Couturier beats out Bergeron for the trophy.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
After a 21 point rookie campaign, Joel Farabee is someone to watch out for in the near future. As the left wing on the Flyers’ second forward line alongside Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny, Farabee will look to match the productivity of his linemates in order to have an impactful inaugural playoff run.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Big Question: Can a fully healthy Penguins make a deep playoff run?
Despite catching the injury bug for the last two seasons, the Penguins never seem to let that get in the way of their playoff hopes. Injuries sidelined Penguin veteran Evgeni Malkin for 14 games and Sidney Crosby for 28 this year. The Penguins rarely had their main core of impact players all dressed for a game. And yet they still somehow maintained possession of the East’s fifth seed pretty comfortably. With the February acquisitions of Jason Zucker and Connor Sheary, expect the team’s top lines to be among the most productive in the league. The Penguins have remained a powerhouse for many seasons and are poised for yet another deep Stanley Cup run.
Key Player: Jake Guentzel
Guentzel was the team’s fifth highest scoring skater after playing in just 39 games. He suffered a shoulder injury in a 5–2 win over the Senators, a game where he had already tallied three points. His return will be massive for the Penguins as he should find himself linking up with Crosby quite a bit on that top line. Expect Guentzel to do a lot of dirty work in front of the net, either finishing a loose puck or knocking home a close range one-timer.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
Goaltender Tristan Jarry was an unexpected top performer in net this season as his numbers were slightly higher than starter Matt Murray’s, highlighted by Jarry’s three shutouts. If Jarry is given the start, can his regular season consistency continue onto the big stage this summer?
6. Carolina Hurricanes
Big Question: What will Justin Williams’ playoff experience bring to a young Hurricanes squad?
Williams was a part of last season’s magical playoff run that saw the Hurricanes take the league by surprise and make it to the conference finals. So the current Canes roster is definitely skilled enough to make a deep run. However, is this Williams’ time for a breakout? He only played 20 games, but scored 11 points. As one of two Canes to have won a Stanley Cup, Williams’ experience and offensive impact can be lethal as the Canes face another young powerhouse in the Rangers.
Key Player: Sebastian Aho
Easily the biggest threat on the Hurricanes roster, Aho brings a ton of excitement when he’s on the ice. His effectiveness thrives when he’s paired up with fellow Finnish youngster, Teuvo Teravainen. The two were the top Hurricane scorers this season with Aho totaling 68 points and Teravainen 73. With three rounds of playoff action already behind him, expect Aho to be even more productive than he was a season ago.
Dark Horses/prospects to watch:
Jaccob Slavin is among the NHL’s most underrated defensemen. Although he may not be considered a dark horse after playing the best hockey of his career, he will be a silent difference maker that will win the Canes some big games.
7. New York Islanders
Big Question: Will Andy Greene fill in the missing pieces of the Islanders’ defense?
Acquiring Greene, the Devils captain at the trade deadline, was a move that had to be done. The Islanders have a young although very promising defensive unit which held its ground in most games this season. Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuck are the team’s most accomplished defensemen and their numbers were pretty subpar this season. Although Greene isn’t the most productive offensively, his defensive consistency and overall experience is something the Islanders can benefit from after having struggled late in the season.
Key Player: Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Imagine a Pageau-Anders Lee or a Pageau-Josh Bailey duo, that could turn into a pairing nearly as good as the Ovechkin-Backstrom combo in Washington. Pageau, another trade deadline acquisition, led the Senators at the time with 40 points. As he acclimates to the Islanders’ system, there’s no doubt that he can’t duplicate that production in New York. He brings the excitement and quickness of a top forward that can get the Islanders back on track to becoming the powerhouse they were in the first half of the season.
Dark Horses/prospects to watch:
It’s pretty easy to forget that Brock Nelson was a main factor in Islanders’ offensive production this season. Nelson’s career-high 54 points were the second highest on the team and seemed to be the most consistent piece on an inconsistent Islanders squad who are in for a tough battle in the play-in round against the Panthers.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Big Question: Can Tyson Barrie bolster the Leafs into a defensive powerhouse?
The Maple Leafs are heading into the Stanley Cup qualifiers as the second worst defense out of the format’s 24 teams. Offensively, they’re pretty set as they have numerous targets up front that they can send the puck up to and feel comfortable that good things can happen. That sense of reliability doesn’t transfer to their defense, a unit that was exposed many times this season and in recent playoff memory. However, once Sheldon Keefe took over as head coach in November, things started to look a bit more promising for their defense, and Tyson Barrie’s leadership began to show. Barrie put up 39 points this season–not the best of his career–but he is still the most reliable defenseman on the Leafs roster. He is set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason, so Barrie and Toronto’s defense are in desperate need of a fresh start this postseason.
Key Player: Auston Matthews
There’s no doubt that the spotlight will be on Matthews to lead the Leafs far into the playoffs. He’s had a pretty good history when it comes to dealing with the big stage. You might remember his four-goal NHL debut back in 2016 or his OT game-winner in the 2017 Centennial Classic. Matthews is the team’s biggest X-factor on their dynamic offense and after a career-high 80 point season, he is surely poised to carry that form into the playoffs.
Dark Horses/prospects to watch:
The Leafs included top prospect, 18 year-old Nick Robertson as one of the 28 skaters on their training camp roster. If he performs well in camp, he could very well make his debut in the qualifying round against Columbus. Robertson most recently played for the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League, where he scored 55 goals in 46 games.
9. Columbus Blue Jackets
Big Question: Who starts in goal against Toronto?
This season was supposed to be Joonas Korpisalo’s breakthrough season after longtime starter Sergei Bobrovsky was traded to Florida during the offseason. Korpisalo earned the starting job this season and proved to be a reliable replacement for the two-time Vezina trophy winner. However, Korpisalo missed the team’s January and February games due to an injury, allowing rookie Elvis Merzlikins to be the Jackets’ number one goalie. And Merzlikins seemed to be the more productive netminder as he recorded a 12–4–5 record during Korpisalo’s absence and finished the regular season with five shutouts, which ranked him tied for second best league-wide. It’s a difficult situation for the Jackets as Merzlikins led them through the best stretch of their season, however a more experienced Korpisalo, who produced similar numbers, may be the safest option. It’s for sure a tossup, but the Jackets’ goaltending depth is one to look out for in the next few seasons.
Key Player: Oliver Bjorkstrand
Two separate injuries diminished what was going to be a career year for Bjorkstrand. He played just 49 games this season but managed to tally 36 points and was on pace to shatter his single-season scoring totals. Bjorkstrand is heading into Phases 3 and 4 after having recovered from a serious ankle injury suffered in late February. When fully fit, Bjorkstrand is another proven goal scorer on the Blue Jackets’ high powered, budding offensive unit and can be a lethal asset towards leading Columbus far into the playoffs.
Dark Horses/prospects to watch:
Emil Bemstrom was a hidden gem on the Jackets’ top line and began producing in the team’s late season surge. After a 20-point rookie season, Columbus should hope that he maintains his late season form and gel comfortably with center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
10. Florida Panthers
Big Question: Are we going to see Keith Yandle at his absolute best?
Ever since he joined the Panthers, Yandle has led the team’s defenseman in points. He’s remained healthy and consistently been a 40 plus point scorer as a Panther and is playing the best hockey of his career. And he very well could be the leader the Panthers need in order to reach its fourth playoff berth in the last 20 years. Against a high powered Islanders offense, a combination of Yandle’s experience and Aaron Ekblad’s physicality could be exactly what the Panthers need to regenerate their defensive unit, the worst of the 24 teams.
Key Player: Sergei Bobrovsky
Let’s just say the Panthers didn’t exactly get what they wanted out of Bobrovsky this season. He finished the regular season with a career-high goals against average and his second worst save percentage. However there’s a reason the Panthers signed him to a $70 million deal last offseason and his playoff performance last season definitely increased his value. Bobrovsky was in net for the Blue Jackets’ first round sweep over the Lightning, and nearly carried them past the Bruins in the conference semis. So similar to the Yandle situation, if we get the best out of Bobrovsky, the Panthers will be a hard team to get past.
Dark Horses/prospects to watch:
Noel Acciari knows a thing or two about making a deep playoff run. While he didn’t particularly stand out for the Bruins last offseason, Panthers fans know what he’s capable of. Maybe two more back-to-back hat tricks against the Isles?
11. New York Rangers
Big Question: Which direction will the team go in terms of their goaltending trio?
With three potential starting goalies the team easily has the most depth between the pipes out of any team in the league. Prior to Igor Shesterkin’s arrival, the starting role was assumed by Alexandar Georgiev whose backup was none other than Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist. However, Shesterkin has been a consistent starter since January and was in net for the team’s February winning streak, allowing them to become heavy playoff contenders ahead of the qualifying round. The starting role for the summer games is likely between Lundqvist and Shesterkin. Lundqvist who has played in 128 playoff games may appear to be the reliable option, but if the team wants to stick to what’s been working then Shesterkin completely deserves the starting role.
Key Player: Mika Zibanejad
While Artemi Panarin may be a top contender for this year’s Hart Trophy, Zibanejad probably has been the team’s MVP this season. Zibanejad scored 41 goals in just 57 games, leading the league in goals per game with 0.72. He was playing his best hockey right when the season shut down as he had scored 11 goals in the team’s six games in March, including a five-goal game against the Capitals. If Zibanejad carries this form into playoffs, he will for sure be a top Conn Smythe contender.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
I really liked the looks of Libor Hajek in the early stages of the season. If he can get out on the ice with Adam Fox or Ryan Lindgren, expect to see nothing but consistency between the two. I’m also a huge believer in Kaapo Kakko’s skillset and goal scoring abilities so this would be the perfect time to see him break out.
12. Montreal Canadiens
Big Question: The Canadiens gave up a lot at the trade deadline. Are they still playoff contenders?
Montreal was one of this season’s most active teams at the trade deadline. The Canadiens were involved in six trades, in which the Habs acquired three players and dealt seven. At the time, the Canadiens were theoretically out of the race for a Wild Card spot and looking ahead to next season was the sensible option. Yet they barely snuck into a Stanley Cup Qualifier matchup as they edged the Sabres out by just one win. Losing key players such as Kovalchuk and Nick Cousins at the deadline could easily come back to haunt them as they face a talented Penguins side. However, the Habs’ injury prone roster should be fully healthy and we can finally see their young offense at top form.
Key Player: Carey Price
Max Domi, the team’s most exciting forward, may be deemed unfit to participate in Phases 3 and 4. This would be a huge loss to a Canadiens team that relies so much on its offensive production. That puts Carey Price under a lot more pressure to be the Canadiens’ X factor yet again to lead them into a playoff spot. Price has made 60 career playoff appearances with Montreal in which he recorded a .914 save percentage. This could be the time where he can establish himself as the best Canadiens goalie of all time, defying all odds to lead a 12 seed all the way to the Cup.
Dark horses/prospects to watch:
Nick Suzuki recorded a 41 point season, ranking sixth among the league’s rookies. At times overshadowed by the emergence of Domi, this could be Suzuki’s time to break out if Domi cannot participate in the postseason.
