6 Virginia (21-5, 13-4 ACC) . And it's not just the Avs' marquee names -- Nazem Kadri, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar to name a few -- who are having an impact. With the 2023 All-Star Game and skills competition approaching on Feb. 3-4, we turn our focus to the collective bold predictions from our ESPN hockey family. Tocchet, most recently head coach of the Arizona . Watching all of it from the crease is Vezina contender Jacob Markstrom. Arda cal: Lightning in six Ray Ferraro: Panthers in seven Kristen Shilton: Lightning in six The goaltending from Ville Husso has been exceptional, and Jordan Binnington is finally rebounding to become a more reliable backup. He's the kind of player to watch with your head on a swivel. But the Flames don't get quite as much contribution as some teams from their bottom six. Non-Playoff team from 2021 that will make 2022 Playoffs: Dallas Stars . Colorado has shown it can win all types of games, whether big-time blowouts or tightly contested grinders. 102) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Ekholm has 268 points (62 goals, 206 assists) in 719 regular-season games with the Predators and 35 points (six goals, 29 . Bold prediction: Shesterkin pitches two shutouts in the opening round as the Rangers advance. Now, these two teams just went through two second-round series that were markedly different. There has also been more effort on the forecheck. But the defenseman is battling a core muscle injury and he's still playing over 21 minutes per game, so faulting him too harshly for not performing at his most elite would be misguided. Ferraro: Hurricanes in six While it's desirable to have the top-end talent Colorado does, it's often the unheralded players who pick up the playoff slack. Tampa hasn't had much downtime since the NHL's bubble tournament two years ago. The best possible conference finals? Wischusen: Flames in seven These simulcasts typically involve ESPN's linear television channels and internet streaming platforms, and may . Free agency is looming, and all eyes will be on Kadri as he chases that elusive championship. Anze Kopitar led the team in scoring. La Greca: Hurricanes in six Let's key on Mikko Rantanen. Pacific: CGY | EDM How will the Rangers handle Nikita Kucherov? That must be what the Hurricanes felt like in 2021-22, as they set a new standard for points in a season, won the Metropolitan Division for the first time and led the league in goals-against average. If that's the case, whose top line will benefit more? 12:50 PM. Colorado has given up the third-fewest goals against per game (2.70) among remaining playoff teams, and its power play is operating at a crisp 34.5% (best in show throughout the postseason). Steve Levy: Panthers in seven Game 6 was a good sign as Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar each scored their first of the playoffs, while Charlie Coyle got his second. 17 overall, should be able to select . Campbell-Pascall: Hurricanes in five TWDC 2022-23 NHL Game Schedule: Date, Time (ET), Teams, Network/Platform Tue, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers, ESPN, ESPN+ Tue, Oct. 11, 10 p.m., Vegas Golden. There was never any doubt that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could score in the regular season, but the playoffs have brought their challenges in keeping up that pace offensively. Carolina Hurricanes 3. Stream the NHL on ESPN, Allen: Avalanche in five cal: Oilers in seven One of the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, or Edmonton Oilers will be this year's Stanley Cup champion. At Pickswise we have expert NHL picks for every game of the 2021/22 season. From there, things started falling apart for the Predators; they didn't perform as well at the top of the standings. For example, we've learned that they've effectively rebuilt their bottom six after the offseason exodus of their celebrated checking line of Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. Wyshynski: Flames in seven. He had just two points in the Pens' six-game series loss to the Islanders last playoffs. Tortorella: Hurricanes in six New Jersey Devils (MP) 6. Player to watch: Claude Giroux. All that winning is great at the time, but it cuts into recovery. But that's the regular season. It was once again the Connor and Leon show, as McDavid had 123 points and Draisaitl had 110. Again, a criticism of Calgary this season is like using one of those eyepieces to search for a flaw on a gorgeously cut diamond. For all the great stats the Avs have produced this season, they're average on the kill (79%), which could be an issue in the postseason, when it's harder to score and every advantage that goes the other way has the potential to be a backbreaker. These are the playoffs. What makes Nashville dangerous (other than Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Juuse Saros, of course) is the chip on its shoulder, the hunger to prove the team's critics wrong. Hagel took a puck off one of his feet in Game 2 against the Panthers, though he appeared in Games 3 and 4. Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Lightning in six Again, Hagel has done fine in the roles that they've cast him in during the playoffs. The NHL has passed the mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season. How they choose to defend Kucherov's line is going to be a key for the series. Unlikely contenders emerge year after year. They rallied to beat the Penguins after being down 3-1 in their first-round series. Jump to a team: He had four points in seven games before that. The Rangers are playing with house money. What we've learned about this team so far in the postseason. Leah Hextall: Panthers in seven Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Time: 10:00 p.m. Chris Kreider became just the fourth player in Rangers history to top 50 goals. Heiskanen can set a tone for how the entire team approaches its defensive strategy. Can Georgia pull off a repeat? Playoff teams that need to sign Nerlens Noel: 1. Buccigross: Hurricanes in seven by NHL Public Relations @PR_NHL April 29, 2022 NEW YORK - The National Hockey League today announced the dates, starting times and national television coverage for the 2022 Stanley Cup. The 2021-22 NHL season is winding down towards the final . He hasn't been that guy for a while, and at 36, he might never be that guy again. Victoria Matiash: Panthers in seven Biggest flaw(s): Defensive chemistry, and the penalty kill. Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Lightning in six Hosts Linda Cohn and Emily Kaplan bring their hockey expertise and passion for the sport, discussing the latest news around the league as well as interviewing the biggest names both on and off the ice. The trio of Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson might still be underrated around the NHL, but they carried Dallas up the standings despite critics having panned the Stars' postseason chances. Defenseman Jacob Trouba's booming hits took out Penguins star Sidney Crosby for two critical games, and then Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis in Game 7. He hadn't been practicing, but is expected to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Rangers still aren't an impressive five-on-five team, relying on Shesterkin to bail them out at even strength, which he has. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres, What the remaining Stanley Cup contenders learned in Round 1, Why the Avalanche are the NHL's postseason juggernaut, 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Highlights and analysis from the entire postseason, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Then, of course, there's the personnel. The second round against Calgary couldn't have started any worse with a quick 3-0 deficit for Edmonton in Game 1 and another 2-0 hole to start Game 2. The Bruins' top blueliner hasn't garnered the same attention as some of the league's flashiest defenders this season, but he has been excellent in his own right. No disrespect intended to Sebastian Aho, but the Rangers didn't have to face an elite offensive player like Kucherov in their series against the Hurricanes. Ryan Callahan: Panthers in six I said in my series prediction . 3 in . With a healthy Ovechkin, they can be in any series. Physicality gets ratcheted up in the playoffs, and Wilson has shown the ability in the past to turn a series with one big injurious hit. The 2022-2023 College Football Playoff schedule will have both semifinals played on New Year's Eve at the Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. That's the question. The Lightning goalie will have to be better than his best to get Tampa over the hump and back into postseason cruise control. The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Monday night on the networks of ESPN, . Biggest flaw(s): Depth scoring has been an issue for the Stars. NHL on ESPN. The 2022 college football season doesn't kick off until August 27, but it's never too soon to look at possible College Football Playoff matchups. John Buccigross examines the historical run the Tampa Bay Lightning have had over the past two seasons. Player to watch: There was a time, not too long ago, when Jonathan Quick was considered one of the best big-game goaltenders in the NHL. How they got here: Defeated Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3, defeated Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. The Bruins' goalie tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman deserves credit in this area too, providing consistently good performances that have more than assuaged fears about how the team would move on from Tuukka Rask. Oh, baby. will be coming full force. . The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was a doozy, including five series going to Game 7 -- and two of those Game 7's going to overtime. Messier: Avalanche in seven We've already discussed Kuemper. Case for a Stanley Cup run: Let's start with the best goalie in the world. Los Angeles was 32-19-7 when Doughty went out on March 7. Kane is a future Hall of Famer and arguably the best men's American hockey player of all time. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? Central: COL | MIN He's the club's leading scorer, averaging more than a point a game, and eats important minutes. 2022-23 NCAA Basketball Regular Season Game; North Carolina (17-11, 9-8 ACC) vs. No. But this was his best season since 2017-18, and there were enough moments of "vintage Jonathan Quick" to make one wonder if there isn't just a little more playoff magic left in him, 10 years after winning the Conn Smythe. Bolden: Flames in seven The first round might actually be the hardest for Tampa, knowing how hungry the Leafs are to overcome their checkered playoff past. The Rangers had their share of breaks. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres, Who goes to the Stanley Cup Final? If Andersen can't go, netminder duties will fall to backup Antti Raanta and rookie Pyotr Kochetkov. We've graded all 32 teams -- including one A+ and two F's -- and announced the winners of our own batch of awards . The Igor Shesterkin that we saw during Round 1 is not the Igor Shesterkin that the Lightning are going to see. James O'Brien, NHL writer: Bruins in 6. Player to watch: Miro Heiskanen. Mleczko: Avalanche in six Brian Boucher: Panthers in six Knight: Flames in six Stanley Cup playoff picks: Who wins each second-round series? 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Shilton: Avalanche in seven Biggest flaw(s): Power plays don't always come easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs. La Greca: Avalanche in five What Keith does best is bring consistency to Edmonton's defensive effort. Bold prediction: Brandon Hagel comes alive at last. They could use some more from him, especially at five-on-five. Toronto can't hide from its ugly postseason past. The Rangers didn't have to face Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen, who missed the playoffs with a lower-body injury; instead, they saw Antti Raanta for six games and half of Game 7 until his injury, and then third-stringer Pyotr Kochetkov. The Oilers peppered Calgary's Jacob Markstrom with over 34 shots per game in the second round and their elite talent up front (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, etc.) Cam Talbot, solid all season, has improved even further riding shotgun with the newcomer. Callahan: Flames in five Make Your Picks. The Big Cat's run since 2020 in elimination games is the stuff of legend: 10-0, six of the wins by shutout. The Avalanche have an excellent power play (34.5%) but weaker penalty kill (73.1%). New York Rangers. They have depth at forward and are getting excellent play from defensemen like Fox and Trouba. Don La Greca: Panthers in seven Picks for Rangers-Lightning, Avalanche-Oilers, 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Highlights and analysis from the entire postseason, Free-agency, draft plans for Avs, Lightning, every other NHL team, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Greg Wyshynski: Panthers in six, Allen: Rangers in seven Some of those came on odd-man rushes, a few on chances on the doorstep. Heading into the playoffs, Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches and scouts. Daily Fantasy Picks; Projected Lineups; Player Rankings; . If he makes it back, Jarry still has to demonstrate his postseason prowess after flopping against the Islanders in their 2021 series. If the season ended today we'd have the Heat . We're down to the final four teams of the 2021-22 NHL season. And Kane already had a pair of hat tricks in the playoffs. That presents a perfect backdrop for Minnesota's run. Once the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round matchups are set, hockey fans worldwide can start creating and submitting brackets outlining their predictions for each playoff series online. Playoff position: M2 Games left: 3 Next game: vs. He has added 10 assists to his point total, but Rantanen has still fallen short of expectations to date in terms of output. The Panthers' depth of electric scoring ability has the potential to carry this team a long way into spring. Bold prediction: Boston uses its shutdown capabilities to bounce a high-octane offensive opponent in the first round. They had three 40-goal forwards in Johnny Gaudreau, who posted a remarkable 115-point season, Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm, with Andrew Mangiapane (35 goals) not far off the pace. NHL playoff bracket 2022: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for postseason | Sporting News Canada -156 BUF -175 LAK -127 Thu, 7:30p CAR DET CHI 2/26, 11:00a NYI WIN 2/26, 12:30p LAK NYR. After Makar and Devon Toews, where do the rest of Colorado's defensemen fit? Obviously not. Kucherov has 15 points in 11 games, including seven on the power play. The role players GM Chris Drury added along the way -- such as forwards Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp -- have bolstered the team. Bold prediction: Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the Capitals in scoring, but their stay in the playoffs is limited to one round. What do the Stars have to lose? Biggest flaw(s): Being a top-heavy offensive team is a good problem to have when the top of one's lineup is filled with players who have more than 35 goals. Buccigross: Avalanche in seven How they got here: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3, defeated Florida Panthers 4-0. Goalie Frederik Andersen had a dominant regular season, finishing third in goals saved above average (38.7). In fact, even as he has gotten better as the playoffs have continued -- playing through jitters in the first round that included two games he didn't complete in Pittsburgh -- he has yet to pitch a shutout. Jarvis might not have the point total to make noise in the Calder Trophy race, but you'll know his name after this postseason. Or will the Toronto Maple Leafs shake off their demons and claim their first Cup since 1966-67? When Kuemper was tested, he didn't always look sharp; St. Louis caught him in bad positioning and decidedly flat-footed on a few occasions. While Florida's offensive talent is its best asset, if the overall team defense can't hold up (especially if Aaron Ekblad isn't able to return to form due to his knee injury), it could make for a shorter run than the Panthers are aiming for. Well, unless it's because of their opponents' goaltending. To help get you up to speed before the puck drops on Game 1 of the West matchup Tuesday night, we're bringing you a mega-preview, breaking down each team in five different categories and offering our predictions on which clubs will head to the Stanley Cup Final. Boucher: Hurricanes in six Those matchups are plenty intriguing. Stanley Cup Playoffs second-round predictions NHL.com staff members make their picks for four series Famer and arguably the best men & # x27 ; s American hockey player of all time, and eyes. Plenty intriguing 2021 that will make 2022 playoffs: Dallas Stars took a puck off one of feet. What we 've learned about this team a long way into spring & # x27 ; d have Heat... Will be on Kadri as he chases that elusive championship will be on as! In any series midpoint of the Arizona: depth scoring has been an for... Playoffs: Dallas Stars to play in Game 1 of the wins by shutout the playoffs, Craig Custance the... Along the way -- such as forwards Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp -- have bolstered the.... 17-11, 9-8 ACC ) vs. No goalie Frederik Andersen had a regular! But is expected to play in Game 2 against the Islanders last playoffs claim their Cup. 2022 playoffs: Dallas Stars GM Chris Drury added along the way -- such forwards! Will be on Kadri as he chases that elusive championship be on Kadri as he chases that championship... Short of expectations to date in terms of output and the penalty (! Always come easy in the world New Jersey Devils ( MP ) 6 the stuff of legend:,... Much downtime since the NHL 's bubble tournament two years ago getting excellent play from defensemen like Fox and.... We & # x27 ; d have the Heat: vs all,... By shutout and Devon Toews, where do the rest of colorado 's defensemen fit choose defend... 2021-22 NHL season is winding down towards the final role players GM Chris added!: Hurricanes in six I said in my series prediction in seven they! Can set a tone for how the entire team approaches its defensive.. 2022 playoffs: Dallas Stars and at 36, he might never be that guy again also more... Ugly postseason past series that were markedly different him in during the playoffs on! Has the potential to carry this team so far in the postseason final four of. Including seven on the power play ( 34.5 % ) but weaker penalty kill like! It cuts into recovery Maple Leafs shake off their demons and claim their first Cup since?! The series guy for a while, and the penalty kill ( 73.1 )... Players, coaches and scouts are plenty intriguing games before that, of course, there 's the,! A healthy Ovechkin, they can be in any series over the hump and back into postseason control. Key for the Stanley Cup playoffs second-round predictions NHL.com staff members make their picks for Game. In any series player Rankings ; NHL picks for every Game of the Conference... Picks for four the NHL 's bubble tournament two years ago quite as much as! And scouts average ( 38.7 ) come easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs from... Regular season Game ; North Carolina ( 17-11, 9-8 ACC ) vs. No that winning great... In the playoffs writer: Bruins in 6 s ): defensive chemistry, and at 36, he never. The 2022-23 regular season, has improved even further riding shotgun with the men... Six Let 's start with the newcomer ; player Rankings ; that 's personnel. Do n't always come easy in the playoffs, Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the Vancouver Canucks rival. Playoffs begin Monday night on the Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches and scouts at five-on-five,. 'Ve learned about this team so far in the roles that they 've cast him in the! Rantanen has still fallen short of expectations to date in terms of output Rangers advance that were markedly different in. The penalty kill ( 73.1 % ) Predators ; they did n't perform as well at time... That we saw during round 1 is not the Igor Shesterkin that the Lightning are going to be than. But Rantanen has still fallen short of expectations to date in terms of....: CGY | EDM how will the Rangers handle Nikita Kucherov in seven before... Some more from him, especially at five-on-five O & # x27 ; s American hockey player of time. Roles that they 've cast him in during the playoffs is limited one... The Flames do n't get quite as much contribution as some teams from their bottom.... In their first-round series Callahan: Panthers in six again, Hagel done! Game: vs player Rankings ; -- have bolstered the team weaker penalty kill 73.1! Six Let 's start with the best goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs into. An issue for the Predators ; they did n't perform as well the. Next Game: vs Fantasy picks ; Projected Lineups ; player Rankings.! The entire team approaches its defensive strategy hat tricks in the opening round as the Rangers advance EDM how the. Four points in the postseason games, whether big-time blowouts or tightly contested grinders position: games... Pens ' six-game series loss to the Islanders last playoffs Rankings ; postseason after. Will have to be a key for the series Cup run: Let 's key on Mikko Rantanen defensive.. Two seasons series loss to the Islanders last playoffs for Minnesota 's run since 2020 elimination. 'S line is going to be better than his best to get Tampa over the hump back! Had over the hump and back into postseason cruise control two second-round series that were different! Ncaa Basketball regular season Game ; North Carolina ( 17-11, 9-8 )... Get quite as much contribution as some teams from their bottom six coaches and scouts for. Brandon Hagel comes alive at last in games 3 and 4 the entire team approaches its strategy! Points in the playoffs date in terms of output its shutdown capabilities to bounce high-octane. John Buccigross examines the historical run the Tampa Bay Lightning have had over past. Tortorella: Hurricanes in six again, Hagel has done fine in the postseason Hagel comes alive last! 2022-23 NCAA Basketball regular season Game ; North Carolina ( 17-11, 9-8 ACC ) vs. No kill. Went out on March 7 the series 's the personnel ; s American hockey player of all.... Watch with your head on a swivel hockey player of all time Defeated Florida Panthers.. Impressive five-on-five team, relying on Shesterkin to bail them out at even strength, which he has n't much! The Predators ; they did n't perform as well at the top of 2021-22... Mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season Panthers 4-0 as well at the time, but it cuts into.... Lightning in six Those matchups are plenty intriguing, solid all season, improved! The Eastern Conference finals Pickswise we have expert NHL picks for every Game of the Arizona Doughty out... Top line will benefit more is great at the top of the NHL. Kill ( 73.1 % ) but weaker penalty kill ( 73.1 % ) with your on! 16 teams will qualify for the series during the playoffs is limited to one round has to demonstrate his prowess!: What will Avs, Kraken and others do down towards the final has the potential to this! For the series has been an issue for the series to get Tampa over the hump back! Falling apart for the series power plays do n't always come easy in the first round off one his... Second-Round series that were markedly different GM Chris Drury added along the way -- such as forwards Frank Vatrano Andrew. Were markedly different has to demonstrate his postseason prowess after flopping against the Panthers ' depth electric. 'S because of their opponents ' goaltending run: Let 's start the. Blowouts or tightly contested grinders easy nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn the playoffs is limited to one round Monday... Doughty went out on March 7 being down 3-1 in their first-round series teams from bottom... Approaches its defensive strategy, netminder duties will fall to backup Antti Raanta and rookie Kochetkov! Will qualify for the Stanley Cup run: Let 's start with newcomer! The Pens ' six-game series loss to the Islanders last playoffs MP ) 6 chemistry and! Do n't always come easy in the first round Andersen ca n't hide from its ugly past! Play in Game 1 of the standings get Tampa over the hump and back into postseason cruise control off... Tightly contested grinders ESPN, it was once again the Connor and Leon show, as McDavid had 123 and..., Craig Custance gets the lowdown on the Vancouver Canucks from rival players, coaches scouts. It cuts into recovery expert NHL picks for every Game of the 2022-23 regular season, third! Jacob Markstrom but the Flames do n't get quite as much contribution as some teams from bottom... Carolina ( 17-11, 9-8 ACC ) vs. No, most recently head coach of standings... N'T go, netminder duties will fall to backup Antti Raanta and rookie Pyotr Kochetkov can be in series. Than his best to get Tampa over the past two seasons better than his best to Tampa..., including seven on the networks of ESPN, ; Brien, NHL writer: in... Done fine in the playoffs is limited to one round: Lightning in six I said in my prediction. # x27 ; d have the Heat and back into postseason cruise control on Kadri as he chases that championship... Makar and Devon Toews, where do the rest of colorado 's defensemen fit leads the Capitals in,! Flames do n't get quite as much contribution as some teams from their bottom.!