We’ve got one more game remaining in Round 1 of the playoffs taking place tonight between the Stars and the Golden Knights. But three hours before that game we have the first game of Round 2 between the Rangers and the Canes. Makes sense right?
Rangers vs. Canes
Rangers in 6: I keep hearing everyone say, “Rangers don’t have the Canes’ depth” or “Rangers barely beat the Capitals” and I’m tired of it.
First off, the Rangers swept the Capitals. If that is barely beating a team then we need to rethink how sports work, because a four-game sweep in the playoffs is far from barely beating someone.
As far as depth, the Rangers have former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko on their THIRD line. Kakko would be a first-liner on fifteen different NHL teams, but the Rangers don’t have “depth”?
I’ll be sitting here waiting when this series is over by, at the latest, six games.
Panthers vs. Bruins
Panthers in 6: I could see this series going only five games too. Florida is a scary team, and I think probably the scariest team in the playoffs.
I think it’ll be tough for the Bruins to stick with the Panthers coming off a long seven-game series. The only thing Boston has going for them is their 4-0 record against the Panthers in the regular season.
But let’s make one thing clear, this is not the regular season. Florida in 6.
Canucks vs. Oilers
Oilers in 7: I say it every year, that somehow, someway the Oilers and McDavid will end up in the Stanley Cup Final. Obviously, it doesn’t happen every year, but something about that team in the playoffs just clicks.
The Oilers are coming off of a dominant 4-1 series against the Kings, while the Canucks had a solid 4-2 series against the Predators. But one series seemed a little more dominant than the other.
In their last series, the Canucks had two games that changed drastically in the final minutes. The series could’ve easily flipped to be 4-2 Predators, but here we are.
With that being said, I think the Oilers move on to the Western Conference Finals in seven games.
Avalanche vs. winner DAL / VGK
Avalanche in either 6 or 5: Depending on which team the Avalanche gets, I see this series being a quick one. If they get Dallas, I think It goes 6 games, and if they get Vegas I think it’s an even quicker five-game series.
These two teams are struggling against each other, and the seven-game series has to take a toll on them. The Avs will be well-rested and ready to go once their matchup is set.
Avalanche in not a lot…
