Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Preview And Winners
By Adam Savard
Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators
Mar 12, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) scores a goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
This series could swing on the return of Max Pacioretty, who has skated on his own but still isn’t cleared to play. Without Pacioretty, Carey Price may be asked to score goals too. Price was the best in the world at stopping them this season but his offense needs to pick up the pace. Montreal is tied for the lowest scoring playoff team in the East with Pittsburgh and that doesn’t include the loss of Pacioretty.
Price will need to withstand a balanced Ottawa attack led by Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. Bobby Ryan is still a major threat despite only scoring 18 goals this year. Most of that slack was picked up by Mark Stone, who seemed to score every big goal the Senators needed which chasing a Stanley Cup playoff berth.
Ottawa is statistically the better team in several categories according to war-on-ice.com and they have plenty of momentum heading into this series. Andrew Hammond has lost one regulation game this season and, if he continues to play well, the Senators can shock Canada and knock out the Habs.
I expect Carey Price to steal a game, maybe two. He’s been that good and there’s no reason to expect a drop in his play. But his teammates are not doing enough to pick him up. P.K. Subban will need to have the series of his life to push the Canadiens through. I don’t see it happening. The Ottawa Senators are going to upset the Montreal Canadiens, winning game seven on the road to do it.
St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild
Oct 4, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) battle in front of the Blues net during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports The Wild defeat the Blues 5-4 in overtime.
It’s not the playoffs until the St. Louis Blues have a goaltending issue. Brian Elliott has been the starter for most of the year yet Jake Allen has made the choice more difficult. Their season numbers are almost the same so head coach Ken Hitchcock should just pick one and ride him. Will a confrontation between Hitchcock and Elliott slant the coach toward Allen?
The Wild have no such goaltending issues. Devan Dubnyk should be getting consideration for the Vezina and Hart Trophies the way he’s played. There is little question the Minnesota Wild wouldn’t be in the Stanley Cup playoffs if not for his efforts.
Even with the goalie questions in St. Louis, expect a bunch of tight games and overtime between these teams. Both are outstanding defensively and among the top ten in the league 5-on-5. This series is going to come down to special teams and who can take advantage. The fourth best power play in St. Louis will try to crack the best penalty killers in the NHL in Minnesota. On the flip side, the Blues fourth best penalty kill doesn’t face as tough a test with the Wild’s 27th ranked power play.
The St. Louis Blues have struggled in the playoffs despite big regular season success. The Blues are going to get all they can handle with the Wild. In the end I expect the Blues special teams to find enough cracks in Dubnyk to advance to the second round. This will be the playoff coming out party for Vladimir Tarasenko as the St. Louis Blues advance over the Minnesota Wild in six games.
Next: Western Conference Favorite Draws Bad Matchup