2022 NHL Round 2 Playoffs Recap
Eastern Division
Western Division
1/2 correct thanks to Colorado
Round 1 total – 7/8 correct
Round 2 total – 2/4 correct which is right at the median
NHL Playoffs total – 9/12
Eastern Conference Championship Playoff Series
New York Rangers (Metropolitan Division #2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic Division #3)
Regular Season records: New York Rangers 52-24-6, 110 points; Tampa Bay 51-23-8, 110 points
Head-to-Head matchups for 2021-2022: New York Rangers won all three games against Tampa Bay and outscored the Lightning 10-4 in total goals
New York Rangers Analysis
Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. Haven’t been this far in the playoffs, since losing the Eastern Conference Finals to Tampa Bay in 2015. Their offense has been carried by three forwards: Chris Kreider (8 goals, 3 assists), Mika Zibanejau (7 goals, 12 assists), and Andrew Copp (6 goals, 6 assists). Third year defenseman Adam Fox (5 goals, 13 assists) has been rock solid at both ends of the ice, and is currently leading all remaining playoff skaters with 26:47 TOI/G. Fox has to be playing at an elite level due to wearing Chris Drury’s jersey number.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin was sensational in Round 2 and now sports a 2.68 GA/G, but the Rangers have a tendency to rely on his acrobatics to bail them out in the defensive end. That strategy won’t work against a deep Lightning squad. Defenseman Jacob Trouba single handedly changed the Round 1 series against Pittsburgh, by checking Sidney Crosby in Game 5. Ditto for the Round 2 series with his hit on Seth Jarvis in Game 7. If Trouba tries to get physical with any of the Lightning players to generate Rangers momentum, this series will be over quickly.
Tampa Bay Lightning Analysis
Tampa Bay moved onto the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the Florida Panthers in four games. Lightning made quick work of the Presidents’ Trophy winner, by outscoring the Panthers 13-3 in Round 2. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy continues to raise his game on the biggest stage and is currently allowing 2.23 GA/G. Forward Nikita Kucherov (4 goals, 11 assists) and defenseman Victor Hedman (2 goals, 8 assists), both seem content to distribute the puck to their teammates. All of the talking heads and NHL experts thought that Tampa Bay would be tired and out of gas during the 2022 playoffs, due to being back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Will have had eight days off prior to starting this series on 6/1/22, which equates to a veteran team getting their second wind. That’s a dangerous prognosis for a team trying to three peat…..Lightning are just warming up.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins the series in six games due to having fresher legs and the best goalie in the world right now.
Western Conference Championship Playoff Series
Colorado Avalanche (Central Division #1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (Pacific Division #2)
Regular Season records: Colorado 56-19-7, 119 points; Edmonton 49-27-6, 104 points
Head-to-Head matchups in 2021-2022: Colorado won two of the three games (2-1) and were outscored by Edmonton 9-8 in total goals
Colorado Avalanche Analysis
Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference Finals by beating the St. Louis Blues in six games. Haven’t been this far in the playoffs, since losing the Western Conference Finals to Detroit in 2012. Played inconsistently at home in Games #1 and #2, before showing some onions on the road with three wins. Nathan McKinnon officially arrived in Game #5 with a hat trick. Role players helped Colorado advance with timely goals by Artuiri Lehkonen, Eric Johnson, J.T. Compher and Darren Helm. Need more consistent play out of goalie Darcy Kuemper (2.44 GA/G), due to looking rusty and out of position during critical moments in Round 2. Where on earth is Mikko Rantanen (1 goal and 10 assists in 10 playoff games)? Need the first two forward lines to not only matchup with the top forward line of the Oilers, but at least come close to keeping up scoring wise too.
Edmonton Oilers Analysis
Edmonton moved onto the Western Conference Finals by beating the Calgary Flames in five games. Haven’t been this far in the playoffs, since losing the Stanley Cup Finals to Carolina in 2006. Offense has exploded even more due to highlight reel points being scored by Connor McDavid (7 goals, 19 assists) and Leon Draisaitl (7 goals, 19 assists). Evander Kane leads the 2022 NHL playoffs with twelve goals. Duncan Keith has not only calmed the Oilers defenseman corps, he’s filled in nicely for Darnell Nurse who hasn’t been 100% healthy. Tyson Barrie played for the Avalanche from 2011-2019 and will share any scouting reports he has. Mike Smith continues to ignore father time and has a 2.70 GA/G. Western Conference Finals is a throwback to the 1980s and 1990s with offensive firepower and some timely goaltending.
Prediction: West coast NHL fans will watch every minute of this series due to the technical skill of both clubs. Role players are the difference maker during several momentum swings that occur in Game #2, #4 and #6. Kuemper out duels Smith late and the Avalanche win in six games.
Same bat time, same bat channel in two weeks. I’ll review the results of the NHL Conference Finals playoff series and try again for the Stanley Cup Finals.
