2015 NHL Playoff Preview
The 2014-2015 season is in the books and the end was nothing short of spectacular. I can’t remember a season where games 81 and 82 had more meaning for more teams. Not only were teams fighting for playoff seeds but a number of them were fighting until the bitter end just to make the playoffs at all. It’s been ten years since a salary cap was adopted by the league. A decade later it is clearer than ever that the NHL achieved it’s goal of balance. No longer are the days of buying a dream roster and making a run at the Cup. The new era of the NHL challenges GM’s more than ever before. Everyone working with the same amount of money puts tremendous importance in smart drafting, developing, and trading of players. As we head into the post season it is easy to point out the favorites. How much of a favorite are they really though? The reality is every team in the playoffs, whether we like it or not, can beat any other team in the playoffs. The playoffs are about storylines, hero’s, and teams sacrificing together to escalate their play to the highest levels they are capable of. Which team will sacrifice enough this year? Which team has the players, coaching, and possibly luck to go the distance? Here is Sugar’s take on the playoffs with guest writer Jeff Lobman, a New York City native.
The West
#1 Saint Louis vs #4 Minnesota
Prediction: Saint Louis, 5 Games
The fact that Minnesota is here is impressive. They were thought by many to be down and out a couple months ago. A horrible stretch of games between mid-December and late January saw them plummet in the division standings. The life saver of this Wild team sits between the pipes. Dean Dubnyk put on a clinic the last quarter of the season and catapulted ‘Sota into the playoffs. Unfortunately they are up against a team that, when healthy, likes to score.. a lot. The Blues seem to be healthy after resting some big names for minor injuries a lot at the end of the season. The Blues’ offensive capabilities are extensive enough when world class goal scorer, Vladimir Tarasenko is on the ice by himself. Then add in Steen, Oshie, and Backes and you're starring at an offensive onslaught. Dubnyk will stand tall I think and come out stopping everything. Eventually the Blues will crack him and this series will be won handedly by STL.
#2 Nashville vs #3 Chicago
Prediction: Nashville, 6 Games
Patrick Kane will not be in the line up for the Blackhawks and it just might drive him insane. The Assistant Captain desperately wants to get back on the ice and there’s nothing he can do right now but wait and watch. Nashville ascended to the very top the league for a large chunk of this season. They have that perfect combination of veteran leadership and skilled young guns. This is a team, a city, and a fan base that want the Cup more than they ever have before. The Predators finally got things clicking on all cylinders in Nashville this year and they’ve been exciting to watch. One of the biggest questions for Smashville will be how well high scoring rookie Filip Forsberg translates his regular season production to playoff hockey. I think Nashville is finally going to make something substantial happen in the playoffs this season. A first round exit would hurt them much more than it would Chicago at this point.
#1 Anaheim vs #4 Winnipeg
Prediction: Anaheim, 6 Games
This Ducks team faced diversity this season in the most unusual form. After finishing 1st in the NHL last season in goals per game (3.21) not many would have expected this club’s biggest issue to be offensive production heading into this season. It was however, as the Ducks saw their goals per game drop from 3.21 to 2.78. Challenges have great capacity to deepen teams though. There was more than a few unexpectedly close games where the depth of the roster was tested and the Ducks continually found ways to win. Winnipeg knows a thing or two about finding a way to win also. The Jets scratched and clawed their way into these playoffs. They’ve had their ups and downs this season but once again, it just means they’re battled tested. Winnipeg has been in playoff mode for about a month now and will be ready to come hard at the Ducks. A comparison of rosters between these two makes the case for Winnipeg a tough one to make. This Ducks team is as loaded as they come on the offensive side of the puck and they have a hungry group of guys. Anaheim has a lot more to lose than Winnipeg and I think they will play like it.
#2 Vancouver vs #3 Calgary
Prediction: Calgary, 6 Games
Earlier this season we jumped on the Flames with reckless abandon. The stretches where they would dominate some of the best teams in the league were somehow captivating enough where we literally forgot that they had lost any games this season. Here’s what this series comes down to for me: Who is Calgary? They’re an underrated, highly skilled, and physical team with fantastic home ice advantage. They’ve been silencing the haters all season long and it’s a role they’re familiar to. Who is Vancouver? They’re…Vancouver. They USED to be unreal. That wasn’t last year though.. or the year before that…or the year before that. That was 4 years ago in 2011 when they made the finals. The Sedin’s are not young bucks anymore and it’s no secret. This is still their team though and Vancouver is still here, in the playoffs. I think this series features a falling out of power vs a rising to power. Calgary takes the battle for Western Canada.
The East
#1 Montreal vs #4 Ottawa
Prediction: Montreal, 5 Games
Carey Price. The man who just turned in one of the most impressive regular season campaigns we’ve seen out of a goalie in years. It’s not uncommon to see a goalie lead the league in both SV% and GAA. It is rare, however, to not only lead the league in those two categories but also take first in wins for goalies. Carey Price did that this year and people noticed. Montreal’s biggest star is the physical offensive machine known as PK Subban. The Habs offense, while lacking in a traditional “big name” star, is potent and spread out nicely. Subban provides a big push for the four lines Montreal likes to roll. Ottawa is not to be taken lightly though. To provide some insight into what the mindset of the Senators is heading into the playoffs I brought on a true Ottawa fan, Chad Vivian, @vivianinavan_:
“The Ottawa senators, backed staunchly by Hammond and the playoff resilient and veteran Craig Anderson, head into a heavy task in the Montreal Canadiens backed by the three line presence of their core, hoofed by Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Zach Smith, Mika Zibanejad, and the seemjngly Hab-conquering French Intruder Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Aside from the shaky numbers late by Ryan, McArthur and Zibanejad, the Sens enter Montreal with the fire and rooster tail of victoriesneeded to overcome such a powerful environment.
In December, Ottawa was struggling to stay afloat, drifting right around equivalence in points to games played, but after the acquisition and infusion of a stellar rookie goaltender, the Hamburglar is shredding and searing nearly every group of NHL talent he faces, volleying the Senators to nearly 100 points and three games above a .500 season.
The defense is definitely going to be where Ottawa must perform exemplary in order to help oust the power play strong Canadiens, and Erik Karlson must be able to only take 22-25 minutes of the alloted clock, as these are rapturous times and the new season will not be late to the unveiling of the Cup. He must be rested enough to be strong once teams like the New York Rangers or the Anaheim Ducks swarm the Canadien Tire Centre, pending his ability to well-contain through pressure Montreal, Tampa Bay, or Detroit.”
#2 Tampa vs #3 Detroit
Prediction: Tampa, 6 Games
Mike Babcock just gave Peter Mrazek the nod to start Game 1 between the pipes for Detroit. It’s never a good sign when a team is forced to roll with the backup goalie heading into the playoffs. The decision shouldn't come as much of a surprise to Wings’ fans; Howard’s play has been subpar down the stretch to say the least. Tampa, lead by Stamkos, heads into this series looking to do some damage. Detroit is struggling to keep the puck out of their own net and it couldn't be happening at a worse time. Tampa’s top ranked offense just might have a field day on the Wings in the first series. I expect Detroit to save face and make things interesting but ultimately Tampa will pull through.
#1 NY Rangers vs #4 Pittsburgh
Prediction: Rangers, 5 Games
The Penguins closed out the regular season in less than stellar form, winning 4 of their last 15 games. What’s going on with Crosby & Co.? Lackluster play by Fleury, and a sheer lack of offensive production down the stretch by the Pens is the reason they had to fight so hard just to make the playoffs. The reality though, is you really can’t count Crosby out. His haters (myself included) love to reference the “Cry Baby Crosby” days. However, as difficult as it is to admit, Crosby is not a cry baby anymore. He is 27 years old and plays the game of hockey like it’s what he was born to do. So why the Rangers then? Because the New York City Rangers are on a mission I believe. A mere deep playoff run will not satisfy their hunger this time. This team, this group of guys, was there a year ago. They sat and watched as the LA Kings hoisted their 2nd Cup in 3 years. That kind of experience leaves a mark; the type of mark that lingers and evolves into an insatiable and unhealthy desire to deservedly touch Lord Stanley’s Cup. The identity of this Rangers squad and their expectations can be summed up no better than how my good friend Jeff Lobman, @buhyuteelobs of New York City put it:
“In his second year behind the bench, Coach Alain Vigneualt has brought the team to the playoffs in astounding fashion once again. Grasping what his predecessor John Tortorella brought to the team with his defense first attitude he turned the style into an impressive hybrid seen nowhere else in the league. Unfortunately this has not transferred to the Power Play which continues to plague the Rangers year after year. If they plan to win the Cup this year the PP percentage in the playoffs is going to somehow need a miraculous turn around. The PK is fine at 85% but the Rangers need to find the twine in the playoffs on the power play. Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Marty St. Louis need to bear down if they want their names written on Lord Stanleys Cup. With a key addition in Keith Yandle I believe this is somewhat obtainable. The Rangers depth is something to seriously be considered. Four strong lines with some minor chinks in the armor as with all teams but they as their regular season record shows have been able to work through these kinks. Tanner Glass has been a player with much speculation especially amongst Ranger fans but I believe like Dan Carcillo last year, he will shine and show his worth. The Rangers arguably have the best Goalie lineup in the league. With Henrik coming back from injury in fine form and the proven talent of Cam Talbot I see no other team in the league with the skill between the pipes as the Rangers. Look out for Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast these playoffs as well. These guys have lots of skill and especially Moore with last years playoff experience can really prove their worth. Now as regards to the “stars” of the team. Rick Nash will need to continue his scoring if the Rangers really want to make a cup run. With Stepan feeding him the puck I believe this will be easily done. Ryan Mcdonaugh will need to stay strong on D with Marc Staal or Dan Girardi whoever he is lined up with. They have their work cut out for them against the penguins in the first round. As you go down the list of players the Rangers have its remarkable what GM Slather has put together. Finally these last two years he has been able to acquire the right group to reall make a run for it. As always just because you win the league during regluar season it means nothing April through June and the Rangers still have a lot to prove. Lets hope that Alain didnt bring the Vancouver curse of being astounding during the regular season just to collapse in the playoffs every year.”
#2 Washington vs #3 NY Islanders
Prediction: Washington, 6 Games
Ovi and the Caps head into this series firing on all cylinders. As for the Islanders..well they have been playing like the old Islanders lately. New York only won 4 out of their last 14 games of the season. They are heading into the first round with a slew of questions to be answered. This Islanders squad is new to playoff hockey. They’ve had a taste in recent years, but it was just that: a taste. This year their fans have expectations and their roster backs up those expectations. The Capitals though. I’m just going to come right out with it: The Washington Capitals have to do something this year. Each year that goes by, Ovechkin gets a year older and his window of opportunity to dominate his way to the Stanley Cup Finals is closing. With the way the Islanders closed out the regular season I don’t see any way they can pose a legitimate threat to a Capitals team that has extremely high aspirations.
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