The time has finally arrived – the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is here and you can just feel the excitement in the air. The top 16 teams are set and ready to head to the Finals.
Day One brought the heat already, with a five-overtime Blue Jackets and Lightning game, exposing the Hurricanes and Bruins and pure chaos in the west.
As the second day of the first round kicks off, let’s take a look at the odds of the series for each matchup that looks set for the first time today, per DraftKings:
Island capitals
NY +113 WSH -136
The Capitals had a rocky start after entering the Toronto bubble, winning only one of the three round robin games – and that one win decided only if they would enter the playoffs if they seeded third or fourth.
The most surprising aspect of the tournament was the lack of production of captain, Alexander Ovechkin. Normally a scoring machine, Ovechkin did not register anyone against the top teams in the East. It will be interesting to see how long it takes before he becomes the offensive force that the whole league knows him for – but if for some reason he still watches his game – the islanders have to capitalize on it immediately.
In the qualifying round, the Islanders simply outscored the Panthers. Through the four games, the Islanders came on the board a total of 13 times. In a best-of-seven series, a fierce Islanders team could mean problems for Braden Holtby.
After splitting the regular season series into two games in one piece, this first round has the potential to be much closer than originally expected.
Coyotes-Avalanche
ARI +235 COL -286
The Avalanche were just an excessive goal away from claiming the top seed in the west, but a loss to the Golden Knights locked them in second place.
Special teams look like they will play a big factor in this series and it benefits Colorado to a large extent. The Avalanche scored some impressive numbers on the power play (25%), scoring four different times in the round robin. On the other hand, the Coyotes are fighting for the penalty spot (71.4%) – which is the third worst since the NHL returned to play.
Flyers-Canadiens
MTL +195 PHL -240
On paper, this series seems pretty much in favor of the Flyers in all aspects of the game – but after watching the Canadiens take down the Penguins, it will not be as easy as many think. The Flyers climbed their way from the fourth seed to the top of the East and rightly deserved the chance to face the 12th seeded Canadiens.
The Flyers rode alongside the success of 21-year-old goaltender Carter Hart, who so far has not had much trouble in a playoff setting. If he has the ability to adapt to a sand game series, they should be in good shape.
Hart is also on the verge of converting one of the most respected (and one of his childhood favorites) in the NHL – Carey Price. Price is by no means new to the postseason scene, but a goaltender has the ability to steal a game like two in a series. However, if the Flyers came out with the same intensity as they had in the round robin, they would still have to come out on top.
Canucks-Blues
VAN +167 STL -200
The defending Stanley Cup champions are ready to fight and defend their title, but the Canucks will not be an easy battle at the starting line.
Essentially a dark horse in the west, the Canucks quietly had a decent qualifying game. After being shutout in the first game against the Wilds, the Canucks took the next three and hit the ground running after the first round. After not making the playoffs for the previous four seasons, the Canucks are ready to make some noise.
The Blues did not win a single round of robin play, so it will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to adapt to a series. Jordan Binnington, the Blues’ go-to goaltender, had some difficulty adjusting to play, especially when he confronted the Golden Knights and allowed six goals. If goaltenders have the potential to steal a game like two in a series, it is crucial for him to return to his A-game.
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