(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Nashville Predators
This year the Carolina Hurricanes finished with a strong record of 36-12-8, good for the 3rd best record in the league. The Nashville Predators on the other hand had an eventful season full of peaks, valleys, plateaus and maybe even bodies of water that even the good lord couldn’t walk on. However, they still scraped and clawed their way to a 4th seed finish and a 31-23-2 record.
Man Rocket ambassador, GQ’s Matthew McConaghey Man of the Year Award Winner and Philadelphia’s 1997 Hottest 30 Under 30 Member: Rod Brind’Amour, has surely pressed all of the right buttons this year, eh? The Canes, led by 23-year old Sebastian Aho with 24 goals and 57 points in 56 games played, have amassed the 3rd best record in the entire National League this year.
Accompanied by Andrei Svechnikov, who looks to establish the same playoff performance as last year when Carolina defeated the New York Rangers in the play-in series. Along with a big comeback year for Vincent Trochek (43 points in 47 games), the Canes offense has scored more than Scottie Upshall during a weekend in Vegas.
Defensively the Canes rely on their 2 studs Dougie Hamilton and the All-American American, Jaccob Slavin. Goaltending wise, the Canes have leaned on Alex Nedeljikovic. Yes, THAT Alex Nedeljkovic. Please don’t get him confused with the OTHER Alex Nedeljkovic that currently works on Broadway (there’s not an Alex Nedeljkovic that works on Braodway, ANYWAY…). The American born goaltender issued a 15-5-3 record with an outstanding .932 save % and a 1.90 GAA…Not too shabby for someone I’ve never heard of prior to writing this article.
Oh boy, hereeeeee come the Preds, baby. No player on the Predators roster played an entire 56 games this season. Statistically, the lack of offensive production from large veteran names on the roster (such as Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene), prove to be concerning headed into the playoffs.
The team’s leading scorer was DEFENSEMAN Roman Josi with ONLY 33 points in 48 games played. Filip Forsberg, who has only played in 39 games played, tacked on 32 points this year.
On defense the Preds look to rely on veteran defensemen and local lumberjack tandem, Ryan Ellis and Matthias Ekholm. Goaltending wise, Jusse Saros has fully gripped the reigns from Pekka Rinne as Saros finished the year with a 21-22-1 record, a .927 save % and a 2.28 GAA.
To put it lightly, the lack of faith by many in Predators Head Coach, John Hynes, has those doubting the Predators ability to advance passed this series. I mean, when you’re facing off against Rod the Bod who could blame them? Maybe good ole Johnny H should try his hand at something else. When asking a Predators fan what their expectations were for the series, she responded, “PAIN.”
Seems…yeah, pretty accurate, eh? We shall see.
The Carolina Hurricanes won the season series, winning 6 out of 8 games, however, the Predators have won the last two matchups at the end of the season.
HW Staff Predictions
Jim: 4-2 Hurricanes
Jack: 4-1 Hurricanes
Steve: 4-1 Hurricanes
Kyle: 4-1 Hurricanes
Johnny: 4-2 Predators
Josh: 4-1 Hurricanes
Adam: 4-1 Hurricanes
(2) Florida Panthers vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Florida Panthers, whilst securing the 1 seed, posted a record of 37-14-5 this season, which was good for the 4th best record in the NHL. The Nikita Kucherov-less Tampa Bay Lightning had a strong record 36-17-3 despite missing a top 5 player in the NHL.
For the Florida Panthers it’s finally great to see Jonathan Huberdeau (61 points in 55 GP) come to fruition in the past couple of years. This is the player they were expecting when they selected Huberdeau 3rd overall in 2011. Additionally, Florida’s 2nd overall pick in 2013, Aleksander Barkov, scored 58 points in 50 games played. Barkov is one of the most underrated two-way players in the league, which could be valuable in shutting down Tampa’s top line.
Surprising production from Carter Verhaeghe (Gesundheit!) and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, has also helped the Florida offense excel.
Despite rumors of being a healthy scratch in the beginning of the year,Keith Yandle played in all 56 games and anchored the defense when Aaron Ekblad went down with a terrible season ending injury. Yandle will be making his seventh playoff appearance, he has 34 career points in 55 post-season games.
The addition of Sam Bennett hasn’t been too shabby for the boys down in Florida. Looks like Sammy Slice is enjoying life down in the sunshine state. Let’s be real, going from snowy, dark, and cold Calgary, Alberta to Sunny and 85 Florida… I would be HIGH-STEPPING down the runway and jumping off the bird as soon as the plane landed. Attaboy, Sam.
Goaltending wise, the Panthers have options. Sergei Bobrovsky and his 7-year-$70-million-dollar contract (WOOF) posted a mesely 19-8-2 record with a .906 save % and a 2.91 GAA. On the other hand, goaltender Chris Driedger came out of nowhere to post a 14-6-3 record with a .927 save % and a 2.07 GAA. Want to add on to that? 2019 13th overall pick, Spencer Knight, went 4-0 with a .919 save % and a 2.32 GAA. GOALIE FACTORY, BABY.
In regards to the Tampa Bay Lightning: THE RETURN OF NIKITA KUCHEROV will be the biggest X Factor headed into this series. Recently, Kucherov stated he’s feeling “better than ever”. If that’s the case, hide the women and children and evacuate the Miami area, because a healthy and rested Nikita Kucherov is a beeeeaaauuuutiful sight to see.
In addition to the Kucherov return, Brayden Point led the Lightning in points this year with 48 points in 56 games played. Steven Stamkos was nearly a point per game player this year (naturally). Despite only playing in 38 games, he had 24 points.
The defensive trio of Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, and veteran Ryan McDonagh, will be a strong anchor when it comes to shutting down Jonathan Huberdeau and the Florida Panthers offense. In regards to goaltending, just another casual elite year from Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vas posted a 31-10-1 record with a .925 save % and a 2.21 GAA.
The Florida Panthers won the season series winning 5 out of 8 games.
HW Staff Predications
Jim: 4-3 Panthers
Jack: 4-1 Lightning
Steve: 4-3 Lightning
Kyle: 4-3 Lightning
Johnny: 4-3 Lightning
Josh: 4-3 Panthers
Adam: 4-3 Lightning
Comment on our post with your predictions on Facebook or Twitter!
Follow the staff on Twitter: @hwradio18, @jimikehw, @jack_hwradio, @fhwradio, @warnerkyle29, @flyersjohnny, @dapriceisbright, @grittyadam
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