2023 NHL Round 2 Playoffs Recap
Eastern Division
Western Division
1/2 correct thanks to Dallas
Round 1 total – 4/8 correct
Round 2 total – 2/4 correct which is right at the mean
NHL Playoffs total – 6/12
Eastern Conference Championship Playoff Series
Florida Panthers (Atlantic Division Wildcard #2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan Division #1)
Regular Season records: Florida 42-32-8, 92 points; Carolina 52-21-9, 113 points
Head-to-Head matchups for 2022-2023: Carolina won two out of three games and outscored the Panthers 10-7 in total goals.
Florida Panthers Analysis
Panthers didn’t have a let down in the second round of the NHL playoffs, after upsetting heavily favored Boston in the first round. Eliminated Toronto in five games and seem to be very comfortable in close games. Not to mention Florida is 4-0 in OT playoff games this season. Fourteen players have scored 1+ goals in the postseason, led by defenseman Brandon Montour (6 goals) and center Sam Reinhart (6 goals). Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has turned back father time by posting a 7-2 record, with 2.82 GA/G and a .918 SV%. Head coach Paul Maurice has done a masterful job pushing all of the correct buttons so far in the playoffs. His postgame press conferences are must watch viewing and listening due to his cerebral nature. Florida is hungry to try and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1996.
Carolina Hurricanes Analysis
Hurricanes are trying to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since winning it in 2006. Known for their quick strike and deep offense (40 goals scored in 11 games). Leading scorers Sebastian Aho (5 goals) and Jesper Fast (5 goals), will welcome back winger Teuvo Teravainen in Game 1. Teravainen sustained a broken hand in Round 1 and has been deemed healthy to return to the starting lineup. Defensemen corps have been absolutely smothering in the playoffs, due to only allowing 28 goals in 11 games. Head coach Rob Brind’Amour is currently using the goalie tandem of Frederick Andersen (5-0, 1.80 GA/G) and Antti Raanta (3-2, 2.59 GA/G). Most likely will go with the hot hand (Andersen) to start this series.
Prediction: Hard series to pick due to how well both teams are playing. Both squads are rested, injury free and hungry to win the Eastern Conference. Plenty of close games, some overtime thrillers and Carolina advances in seven entertaining games.
Western Conference Championship Playoff Series
Dallas Stars (Central Division #2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific Division #1)
Regular Season records: Dallas 47-21-14, 108 points; Vegas 51-22-9, 111 points
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022-2023: Dallas won all three games played and outscored Vegas 9-3 in total goals
Dallas Stars Analysis
Stars are still trying to figure out how it took seven games to get past the Seattle Kraken in the second round. Lost a close Game 1 in OT (5-4) and then won a close Game 7 (2-1). The rest of the series was dominated by a different team each night. Second year phenom goalie Jake Oettinger (8-5, 2.75 GA/G, .903 SV%), has been good but not great in the playoffs. Winger Jason Robertson (2 goals, 10 assists) has fallen off the scoring sheet and is primed to have a monster statistical series. Centers Hope Hintz (9 goals) and Joe Pavelski (8 goals) are carrying the offense on their backs. Defensemen corps havn’t been getting much publicity, but they are clearing pucks and holding offensive zone puck possessions at the opposing blue line. Can that bend but don’t break mentality keep up with a deep Vegas squad?
Vegas Golden Knights Analysis
Despite the second round taking six games to advance, Vegas stymied and frustrated a talented Edmonton roster. Forwards are clicking right now, due to five players having scored 4+ goals in the playoffs. The blockbuster trade for center Jack Eichel (6 goals, 8 assists) in 2021, is starting to pay big dividends. Eichel is playing with a newfound tenacity and grit, which has to be due to toiling in Buffalo for a bad team from 2015-2021. Defensemen have chipped in with 1 goal and 19 assists. Head coach David Cassidy is already leaning on his playoff coaching skills, learned during his 2019 run to the Stanley Cup Finals with Boston. Adin Hill will most likely start at goalie in Game 1 and he’s hotter than a pistol right now. Golden Knights are a fast and hungry squad.
Prediction: Really want to pick the Stars in an upset, but Vegas is on a mission. Golden Knights advance in six games.
Same bat time, same bat channel in two weeks. I’ll review the results of the NHL Stanley Cup Conference Championships Playoff series and try again for the Stanley Cup Finals.
