Stanley Cup Playoffs - 5 Things We Learnt From Round 2
Erik Karlsson is the undisputed best player in the 2017 Playoffs
It is a shame that the two time Norris Trophy winner has needed these playoffs to have a coming out party, but the playoffs highlight the best players on the biggest stage and currently Karlsson is that guy. Currently Karlsson has been on the ice for each of the 8 game winning goals scored by the Senators, 6 of which he has been directly involved with (2 goals and 4 assists). Karlsson has always been absolutely unreal in the regular season, boasting five 60 or more point seasons, as well as being a complete defensive player and taking over the captaincy of the Sens. Now he is stepping up and helping the Senators challenge and take down 2 very challenging opponents in 6 games. Captain Karl not only is over a point per game, but is logging 28+ minutes of ice time a night, blocking 2 shots a game and has thrown out 18 hits in the 11 games he has suited up. Did I mention he is doing this all with 2 hairline fractures in his foot. A remarkable effort and one that will be tested even further, as the Sens tackle the reigning champs and seemingly unbeatable Penguins. Ottawa clearly has the edge on defense, but the Penguins have Crosby and Malkin. This series will be the matchup between Fleury and Anderson that decides the series. Look for Karlsson to dominate the play as he has done through the first 2 rounds.
The Washington Capitals have claimed ‘The biggest chokers’ award from the San Jose Sharks
For so long the Sharks have been labelled as chokers. 2 trips to the Conference finals and 2 wins away from the Stanley Cup compared to loss after loss in the second round sees a new winner of the biggest chokers award. The Washington Capitals cannot get passed the second round of the playoffs now choking 2 consecutive President’s Trophies away with a second round loss to the Penguins. Momentum seemingly gone, the Caps used their speed and Holtby to claw back into the series. Consecutive wins, a home game 7, I would have picked them to win 99 times out of 100. Don’t bet against the Penguins.
Two statistics that really shine from this loss are
1. Most Regular Season Wins - Coaches to Never Reach Conference Finals or Finals Barry Trotz with 713
2. Most Career Goals – Never Played in Conference Finals or Finals Marcel ONE ONE - Dionne 731 TWO - Alex Ovechkin 558
The Clutch gene is just not with this club. Unfortunately for Alex Ovechkin, once again the finger is squarely pointed right at him. Demoted to the third line for much of the series against the Penguins, he finished with a disappointing 5 goals and 3 assists and a -4 rating throughout the 13 games. The Caps were even lucky to make it passed the very young and inexperienced Maple Leafs as 5 of the 6 games went to Overtime and we all know, those games can go either way with 1 lucky bounce. Will we see drastic changes, or do the Capitals management trust the system and hope the Penguins don’t come across them in the second round. Time will tell.
The Oilers will win a cup in the next 3 years
Wow the Oilers looked good in game 6. If they hadn’t done the unthinkable in Game 5, by giving up a 3 goal lead with 3 minutes remaining, then I might be writing about how they are the new favourite to win the cup. That’s hockey sometimes, things can change with 1 unlucky bounce. It would have been really easy for them to turtle and go down in 6 against a very experienced and deep Ducks team, but they came out swinging and blasted the Ducks off the face of the earth 7-1. The Oilers finally met their match in game 7 as a bigger, stronger, veteran team finally shoved the monkey of their game 7 back. When you look at the Oilers though, they are strikingly similar to the 2006-07 Penguins. A very young team, with a bright future and a need to lose before they can win. The Pens in 06-07 were far worse off than this Oilers team though, as they ran into the Cup Final destined Senators and only pinched 1 win in the first round.
2 dynamic scorers and a solid young goalie can lead you a long way. Just ask Malkin, Crosby and Fleury, or Toews, Kane and Crawford. The Oilers have the pieces in place and if they could lure a big piece on Defense (Kev Shattenkirk maybe) then they would be set for a deep run with the experience from this season as reference. McDavid will definitely need to step up even further if the Oilers are to lift the cup, as he was smothered by Braun and Vlasic and then held pointless in game 6 and 7 of round 2, in which his team needed him the most. I can’t wait to see how this team responds next season.
Nashville’s big moves have created the perfect combination
Boy doesn’t Dave Poile look like an absolute genius right now. It started with acquiring Filip Forsberg for Martin Erat. Then big moves have paved the way for success. Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones, P.K Subban for Shea Weber, James Neal for Patric Hornqvist and the like. This has shaped the style and culture of the Predators who have seemingly been making big moves forever. Acquiring Peter Forsberg for a run in 2007, Poile has proven he is not afraid of sending players and picks away to get a return. Currently this is the most dynamic and deep teams I have seen in a long time and everything is clicking at exactly the right time. The defense is creating offense, the offense is supporting with Good defense and Pekka Rinne is a brick wall boasting a .951 save percentage and allowing on 14 goals through the first 2 rounds. It is hard to lose when your goalie is playing this well. Despite the loss of Fiala, Nashville are deep everywhere and have the pieces to make a deep run. A top 4 defensive core of Subban, Josi, Ekholm and the absolutely on fire Ryan Ellis has every team fearing matchups. They not only stop you, throw hits, block shots and take away ice, but they spring breakaways and control the offensive zone unlike any team I have ever seen. Dynamic finishers in Forsberg, Johansen, Arvidsson and Neal provide a team that is hard to stop. If Mike Fisher gets his offense going, this team is going to be very hard to stop.
The hottest team wins the Stanley Cup
What I have noticed as the NBA and NHL playoffs matchup head to head is the sad fact that the NBA always sees the best teams make it through to the Finals. It creates a boring predictable nature to the first few rounds. Currently if the Cavaliers and Warriors don’t meet for the third consecutive year in the Finals I will be very surprised. It makes for a boring, mundane run to the inevitable before the actual good basketball games are happening. What is worse is the competition is not nearly as stiff and players are not giving everything they have to win, in comparison to Hockey Players. I love the NBA, but it cannot be argued that having the same teams meet year, after year and the same player for that matter (Lebron will be playing in his 7th straight NBA final if the Cavs make it through) is bad for fans of other teams.
The hockey on the other hand sees new teams every year, the hottest teams flying through the playoffs and making successful runs and entertaining games. While similar teams have been winning in the past few years, there has been new opponents every year, new matchups in the playoffs and rivalries built on intense matchups. Hot teams like the Sharks and Penguins last year, the 2012 LA Kings, the Boston Bruins in 2011 and so on, make the game thrilling. Who would have thought that the scorching hot Predators would be sending home the Blackhawks, who many picked to win in a dominating sweep. Who would have thought the Senators would be challenging for a place in the Stanley Cup Finals after missing the playoffs last year. This is why the NHL continues to be inspiring and so hard to win.
Fun fact - We could see a reunion to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Anaheim vs Ottawa Stanley Cup Final matchup. Not many people would have predicted that at the end of the year.
