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NHL Playoff Power Rankings: Pittsburgh and Washington in Surprising Positions

By Matt Duscharme

Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after an overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after an overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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playoff power rankings
Apr 23, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; (Editor’s Note: Obscene Gesture in Photo); Ottawa Senators left wing Clarke MacArthur (second from right) is surrounded by teammates after scoring the winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the overtime period of game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Senators won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 5 (-3)

Team Record: (4-2)

Goals For:

15

Goals Against:

13

Special Teams

PP: (21.7 percent) (7th)
PK: (81.3 percent) (9th)

Injury List

Tom Pyatt – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Mark Borowiecki – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Derick Brassard (6gp 2g 6a 8pts)
Top Defenseman: Erik Karlsson (6gp 0g 6a 6pts)
Top Rookie: Fredrik Claesson (2gp 0g 0a 0pts +1)
Top Goaltender: Craig Anderson (4 wins 1.94GAA .921 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Derick Brassard (2gp 0g 3a 3pts)

Five Canadian teams entered the playoffs but now only two remain, the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators. The Sens were pushed to the brink by a depleted Bruins team, so the question is will they be able to handle the Rangers? If the team keeps doing what they’re doing they should be in fine shape.

What else is exciting about this series is Mika Zibanejad and Derick Brassard will get to show their old teams what they dealt away throughout the series since they were traded for each other in the off-season. Another player to keep your eye on is Erik Karlsson, he’s created nothing but beauty in the first round, so under intense pressure what he can pull off against the Rangers is unknown.

Player to Watch: Erik Karlsson

2016-17 stats: 6gp 0g 6a 6pts

As stated above, Erik Karlsson is one of those guys to watch. He’s absolutely brilliant and when pressured, does the craziest things. He’s put up six points in six games, all of which being assists. He’ll most likely score more points in this series, especially on the power play so definitely watch for him to do something amazing once again.

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