Tocchet, most recently head coach of the Arizona . The Avalanche are top three in league scoring, top six in goals against, have a top-five power play and boast enviable depth at forward and on the back end to complement Darcy Kuemper, who has had a resurgent second half in net. cal: Oilers in seven The Kings have had strong underlying numbers under coach Todd McLellan all season, including placing fifth in expected goals per 60 minutes and fifth in percentage of shot attempts at 5-on-5. We muse, one last time, on the league stages of the 2022/23 Indian Super League (ISL) season: Odisha slip through, somehow It was in their hands going into the final week. With the 2023 All-Star Game and skills competition approaching on Feb. 3-4, we turn our focus to the collective bold predictions from our ESPN hockey family. Unlike the other two teams on this list, the Portland Trail Blazers are currently on the outside looking in. And it's not just the Avs' marquee names -- Nazem Kadri, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar to name a few -- who are having an impact. Venue: Dean Smith Center -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Coverage: ESPN . The Rangers had their share of breaks. Bold prediction: The Oilers win their first playoff series since 2017 before bowing out to Calgary. Stream the NHL on ESPN, Allen: Avalanche in five We've graded all 32 teams-- including one A+ and two F's -- and announced the winners of our own batch of awards. He's the kind of player to watch with your head on a swivel. But equally as ominous is the Capitals' goaltending. Bold prediction: Coach Dean Evason bucks tradition by not naming a playoff starter in net, opting to alternate between Fleury and Talbot instead. Non-Playoff team from 2021 that will make 2022 Playoffs: Dallas Stars . Hextall: Hurricanes in six At 29-31, they . And that could make a huge difference for the Avalanche this spring. Atlantic: FLA | TOR Same with its overall consistency. He heads to New York with 1,225 points in 1,161 regular-season games. 2022-23 NCAA Basketball Regular Season Game; North Carolina (17-11, 9-8 ACC) vs. No. How they choose to defend Kucherov's line is going to be a key for the series. "Obviously, Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself. Player to watch: Claude Giroux. Weekes: Flames in seven They aren't going to wilt if the Rangers control the tempo. The Blues do have scoring talents, including Jordan Kyrou and Vladimir Tarasenko, but with more limited chances in tight-checking postseason games, St. Louis will have to really focus on the defensive details to avoid a letdown. Heiskanen can set a tone for how the entire team approaches its defensive strategy. Stream the NHL on ESPN. If the Flames win the Cup, it wouldn't be hard to see him taking home a Conn Smythe. Until he does, it's Casey DeSmith's crease. Mleczko: Flames in six Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was a doozy, including five series going to Game 7 -- and two of those Game 7's . What sort of postseason magic can Kadri create to cap this career season? The NHL has passed the mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season. Other than Nathan MacKinnon going off in Game 5 against St. Louis, and Cale Makar just being generally excellent at every turn, it's not as if Colorado has required its superstars to carry the day. Find North Carolina vs. Virginia predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the February 25 college basketball matchup. The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on ESPN presented by GEICO continue into the second round with exclusive doubleheaders this Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Tuesday on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. But being that he's Sidney Crosby and he knows this could be the last ride for members of this group, he's absolutely the player to watch for Pittsburgh. He's a 40-year-old veteran churning out great numbers, including an 8-3-0 record, .927 SV% and 2.70 GAA. NHL Matchups 2022-2023 - Today's Hockey Previews, Scores & Schedules NHL Scores & Matchups Odds Free Picks News & Analysis NHL Contest Stanley Cup Injuries Teams Players Standings. Minnesota has been scorching hot since mid-March, going 19-2-3 since March 16, entering the playoffs with a hard-earned swagger. What we've learned about this team so far in the postseason. He worked through his emotions during the Rangers' first two games in Pittsburgh, where he was pulled twice. And yet, here we are. Record: 54-21-7 (115 points) Case for a Stanley Cup run: Toronto has got the talent in all three phases of the game.Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are one of the NHL's . These simulcasts typically involve ESPN's linear television channels and internet streaming platforms, and may . The image above displays the 2023 NHL Playoff bracket and will be updated after each week. Biggest flaw(s): Power plays don't always come easy in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Lightning goalie will have to be better than his best to get Tampa over the hump and back into postseason cruise control. Calgary vs. Dallas: Flames in five. The Panthers repeatedly fell into multiple-goal deficits they were able to erase because, well, see above. Things aren't trending well for Pittsburgh at the buzzer. The role players GM Chris Drury added along the way -- such as forwards Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp -- have bolstered the team. If Edmonton can do that again in the conference finals, Colorado's march to the Cup finals will be severely impeded -- and perhaps derailed. He's both their last line of defense and their catalyst, as the Rangers feed off his performances when opponents tip the ice. All things being equal, Colorado boasts the deeper team. He had just two points in the Pens' six-game series loss to the Islanders last playoffs. Rush to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Alas, he's ineligible, having played more than six games in his first two NHL seasons. Boucher: Flames in six Push for the Playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2021-22 NHL season. Ferraro: Flames in seven That, combined with St. Louis being one of the NHL's worst teams in 5-on-5 possession totals, puts a lot more pressure on Husso -- a rookie appearing in his first postseason -- at the toughest time of year. Tampa Bay is better 5-on-5. Rick DiPietro: Panthers in seven That bodes well for Edmonton in this series, since Colorado happens to be a high-volume shot team (39.8 per game); if that continues, Smith will be back under a spotlight early and often in the next round. The Predators can score well enough, but how well they can execute team defense and keep the puck out of their own net will be the key. Note: Kristen Shilton previewed the Western Conference teams, while Greg Wyshynski previewed the two clubs from the East. La Greca: Avalanche in five Mark Giordano has helped solidify the blue line, and the Leafs actually have good depth there, for once. Bold prediction: The Flames advance to the Western Conference finals, including a Battle of Alberta win over the Oilers. Lawrence-Riddell: Hurricanes in seven But that doesn't mean the playoffs haven't enlightened us about some aspects of this Lightning team. They're very ordinary on the back end without him. John Buccigross examines the historical run the Tampa Bay Lightning have had over the past two seasons. After Makar and Devon Toews, where do the rest of Colorado's defensemen fit? Not exactly the best offensive company to keep. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, in his first season with the Lightning, and playoff hero Pat Maroon also bolster the bottom six. He had 23 goals and 28 assists and led all Capitals forwards in goals scored above average. Knight: Avalanche in seven Colorado is notably multifaceted, capable of beating its opponents in different ways. Levy: Flames in seven Case for a Stanley Cup run: Boston can be a tough team to play against. Colorado's penalty kill (only 73.1%) and goaltending (see above) have underwhelmed, and would be the most likely potential issues against Edmonton. The Bruins' top blueliner hasn't garnered the same attention as some of the league's flashiest defenders this season, but he has been excellent in his own right. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres, Who goes to the Stanley Cup Final? The Oilers are more balanced (28.1% on the power play, 85.4% on the kill). In today's Morning 3-on-3, we debate whether both are playoff locks -- and a threat if they make it. Seeing its dedication pay off with a playoff opportunity should be all the motivation Dallas needs to give each game its best. Artemi Panarin quietly had points in the last three games against Carolina, including a great outlet pass that sprung Strome for a critical goal that put them up 3-0. A trade to move Miller out of Vancouver would be surprising considering he signed a fresh seven-year, $56-million contract ($8 million AAV) in September 2022 a deal that won't even kick in until next season. NHL Events 2022-23; ESPN, Turner Schedules; . Why Rangers-Lightning, Avs-Oilers demand your attention, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. The Oilers will have to settle for Bouchard logging 19:46 in average ice time and being part of a successful pairing with Duncan Keith, which is not something Edmonton fans would have predicted before the season. General manager Doug Armstrong took a major risk in allowing. Yet Carolina is not mentioned in the same breath as other Stanley Cup contenders. There were times when Carolina created chaos around Shesterkin's crease but couldn't find the rebounds he'd leave. as well as out-of-market games. This is when he should shine. NHL Predictions 2022- 23 season | NHL Projected Standings 2022-23 Eastern Conference Metropolitan Division 1. It breeds confidence, and that's having a huge impact on the Oilers' success in this postseason. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres, 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Highlights and analysis from the entire postseason, Wyshynski: My Stanley Cup playoffs bracket, Ranking NHL players who need a Stanley Cup, last two games of the season with a lower-body injury. We're learned that fatigue hasn't yet been an issue for a team that's gone all the way in two straight postseasons -- perhaps because they followed truncated regular seasons? Bold prediction: As happened to Tampa Bay in 2019, the seemingly unstoppable Panthers fall short with a baffling first-round exit. Mleczko: Avalanche in six He hasn't been that guy for a while, and at 36, he might never be that guy again. Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Game Info. Here's a player who requested a trade out of St. Louis and instead has thrived there this season. Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning with 15 points in 11 games. One problem Biggest flaw(s): Ovechkin missed the Capitals' final three games after appearing to injure a shoulder in an April 24 game. Their lineup features solid two-way forwards in Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. Not enough has been made of the Blues. NHL trade grades: Kings make smart additions in Gavrikov, Korpisalo, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals, rumors and grades, Capitals send Eller to Avs for second-round pick, Kings deal Cup-winning G Quick to Blue Jackets, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? What do the Stars have to lose? Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Stars made the playoffs in large part because of their top line. It's time for our experts to go on the record with their predictions on which four teams will make it one step closer to the Stanley Cup Final, which is returning to ABC this season. How to watch Biggest flaw(s): Beyond McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers don't necessarily have the depth that other contenders in the Western Conference can boast in their forward group or on the blue line. Keith did that for the Oilers against Calgary, steering them out of a potential loss in Game 2 and picking up some of the responsibilities for the not-100% healthy Darnell Nurse. Player to watch: Marner. The Footballers (7-9) have the worst record of any playoff team they tied the 2010 Seattle Seahawks for the worst record for a playoff team in N.F.L. Also note that wild-card teams are listed according to which playoff bracket they're playing in (the Capitals, for example, are in the Atlantic). Columbus Blue Jackets (WC) 5. A game-changing talent who also is playing for his next contract (from Nashville or someone else). Expect more great performances from him. The best that can be said of them is that the Kings found ways to win: While their divisional rivals flailed about trying to qualify for the postseason, Los Angeles won four straight critical games in regulation down the stretch. on the season, while still finding time to amass 68 penalty minutes. Because he picked this opportunity. The past three postseasons haven't been the greatest for Sid, with six points in 14 games. Boucher: Hurricanes in six That can't happen again. Colorado's big winger has one goal in these playoffs, which he scored on an empty net in the Avs' 6-3 victory over St. Louis in Game 4. We all saw what happened to netminder Sergei Bobrovsky in last season's playoffs (when he was replaced midway through the first round by rookie Spencer Knight), and the veteran has struggled down the stretch this season (with a save percentage below .900 in three of four recent appearances). But now that the Penguins are in, with a lineup dotted with familiar names sporting Stanley Cup rings, the best case for a championship run is made by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jeff Carter, Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel. When Boston is at its best, it is a hard-hitting, back-breaking group to go up against. Chandan: Flames in six Ray Ferraro: Panthers in seven 17 overall, should be able to select . That wasn't a given before the season and certainly wasn't while Pittsburgh played through its seemingly annual spate of injuries. New York Rangers 2. He's the club's leading scorer, averaging more than a point a game, and eats important minutes. So it works in Nashville's favor to not just go into the postseason as a wild-card team, but to know there's an uphill battle ahead to make its time in the playoffs last. Callahan: Flames in five They were 27th in goals-against per 60 at 5-on-5 under Tippett; under Woodcroft, they were ninth. The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Monday night on the networks of ESPN, . John Tortorella: Panthers in seven Under coach Dave Tippett, the Oilers were 13th in the NHL in expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5; under interim coach Jay Woodcroft, who took over Feb. 10, the Oilers jumped to fourth in that category. 2022-23 Fantasy Hockey Ranking & Projections - ESPN hsb.accessibility.skipContent ESPN NFL NCAAF NBA NHL Soccer MLB Watch Listen Fantasy Fantasy Hockey Home Sign Up Fantasy Store. Back for 2022 is the usual playoff format with the top team in the conference facing the second wild card, the other division winner playing the first wild card and N. 2 going up against No. And there's the Leafs' excellent special teams, including the NHL's best power play and a penalty kill that is nearly as likely to score short-handed as to get scored on. Mike Smith has been great for Edmonton in the playoffs, without question, but we haven't seen the best of Kuemper yet. The NHL playoffs get underway Monday, with all four games on ESPN networks. ESPN Megacast, formerly known as ESPN Full Circle, is a multi-network simulcast of a single sporting event across multiple ESPN networks and serviceswith each feed providing a different version of the telecast making use of different features, functions or perspectives. That killer instinct has been a hallmark of Boston's play in the past and hasn't always been at the forefront of late. Player to watch: Vasilevskiy. Yes. Failing to capitalize on man-advantage chances almost always comes back to bite teams in the postseason; ditto with struggling to keep pucks out on the kill. It's easy to talk about Minnesota's goaltending and offensive prowess, but Brodin has been helping facilitate all that with locked-in defensive play (and he's no slouch with the puck either, registering a career high in points this season). That's not great news for a Rangers team whose power-play prowess (fourth in the NHL) far outpaced its even-strength offense (18th). 2021-22 NHL Predictions Updated after every game. The Penguins' offense is also struggling, with an ice-cold power play and players such as Rust mired in slumps. Anze Kopitar led the team in scoring. We just didn't go away. And Kane already had a pair of hat tricks in the playoffs. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. Chandan: Blues in six What makes Nashville dangerous (other than Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Juuse Saros, of course) is the chip on its shoulder, the hunger to prove the team's critics wrong. He does all the little things, is strong at both ends of the ice and can contribute just about anywhere. We'll highlight the current playoff picture in both conferences, take a look at what the first-round matchups might look like, see who's leading the race for the best odds in the draft lottery and more. That must be what the Hurricanes felt like in 2021-22, as they set a new standard for points in a season, won the Metropolitan Division for the first time and led the league in goals-against average. Biggest flaw(s): St. Louis has had defensive issues all season. Kavanagh: Hurricanes in six This series projects to trend more toward what Edmonton just experienced, with the potential for larger momentum swings and opportunity to generate offense. The NHL has passed the mathematical midpoint of the 2022-23 regular season. If Andersen can't go, netminder duties will fall to backup Antti Raanta and rookie Pyotr Kochetkov. Biggest flaw(s): Can the Predators keep it together in their own end? So if there's room for improvement anywhere, it's from some of the Oilers' second- and third-line skaters like Warren Foegele, Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi. The 2021-22 season has been incredibly bizarre for Colton Parayko, who has been a puzzling player since the Blues won the Cup in 2019. The second round against Calgary couldn't have started any worse with a quick 3-0 deficit for Edmonton in Game 1 and another 2-0 hole to start Game 2. The Big Cat's run since 2020 in elimination games is the stuff of legend: 10-0, six of the wins by shutout. Before the NBA resumes play on Thursday night, it is time to answer some big questions. Its defense has been a little better than Edmonton's (giving up a playoff-low 27 shots against per game versus the Oilers' 37.5) and its depth is impressive. But it's also true that the Lightning haven't faced a goalie like Shesterkin, who is playing out of his gourd right now. Bold prediction: Brandon Hagel comes alive at last. They are firing on all cylinders. Lessons from Round 1 Wyshynski: Blues in seven, Allen: Flames in six The 2022-23 NHL season is the 106th season of operation (105th . Edmonton trended up across the board under Woodcroft, including in the most important area: the standings, where the Oilers finished second in the Pacific. The Rangers are playing with house money. Any notion that the Avs' slide out of the regular season (losing six of their last seven games) was a premonition of poor playoff performance to come was unfounded. will be coming full force. Kavanagh: Blues in seven Bold prediction: Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the Capitals in scoring, but their stay in the playoffs is limited to one round. Football Women's Basketball Games Home ESPN Fantasy App Their head-to-head matchup will be a primary talking point in the lead-up to Game 1. Playoff position: M2 Games left: 3 Next game: vs. If he finally emerges in this series, that's an edge for the Avalanche as well. The Avalanche have an excellent power play (34.5%) but weaker penalty kill (73.1%). The trio of Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson might still be underrated around the NHL, but they carried Dallas up the standings despite critics having panned the Stars' postseason chances. 2. But what we've seen so far in the playoffs is Colorado primarily at its best. Unfortunately, Alex Ovechkin cornered the market on "he can still do that at his age, wow!" We've graded all 32 teams -- including one A+ and two F's -- and announced the winners of our own batch of awards. Make Your Picks. My other prediction for this series? Obviously, the Lightning would like to see Point back on the ice. NHL playoff fantasy competition is its own brand of compact, focused fun. There hasn't been a ton of that for the Oilers; most of their key tallies have come from the same group of four or five guys. If he's diminished, so are the Caps' Cup chances -- significantly. Since being acquired at the trade deadline, the former Blackhawks winger hasn't produced. Case for a Stanley Cup run: Let's start with the best goalie in the world. Kane is a future Hall of Famer and arguably the best men's American hockey player of all time. Leah Hextall: Panthers in seven NHL playoff predictions 2022: 1st-round winners, most overrated, dark horse, Stanley Cup champion and more. Those matchups are plenty intriguing. Washington Capitals (MP) 8. The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was a doozy, including five series going to Game 7 -- and two of those Game 7's going to overtime. College Basketball Week 17 Top 25 Predictions Note: Projected winners are listed in bold. I think we're there with the Rangers. 12:50 PM. They were third in expected goals against and fourth in expected goals for per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season. 26, 2022, at 10:51 PM. Case for a Stanley Cup run: Thanks to the steepest parity the Eastern Conference has seen in some time, the Capitals had a 100-point season for the sixth straight 82-game campaign. Bold prediction: The Penguins go out in the first round, but goaltending isn't the reason. MacKinnon's contributions will be massive for the Avs. You can say the Rangers haven't faced a goalie like Vasilevskiy, and that's true. On paper, the Rangers were out in the first round. And if Boston is going to turn its defensive advantages into a lengthy playoff run, it will be McAvoy leading the way. Biggest flaw(s): Consistency and resiliency. Wischusen: Avalanche in six Bold prediction: The Stars take a powerhouse first-round opponent to seven games. But teams win with depth in the playoffs, and there's been some falloff here for the Flames. ESPN revealed its top five most likely playoff . For example, we've learned that they've effectively rebuilt their bottom six after the offseason exodus of their celebrated checking line of Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. If you just ignore the three goals he gave up in the first six minutes of Game 1 against Calgary, and also put aside that he allowed a 132-foot clearing attempt past the posts in Game 4, then Smith has been unequivocally rock solid for the Oilers. Lawrence-Riddell: Flames in seven Defenseman Jacob Trouba's booming hits took out Penguins star Sidney Crosby for two critical games, and then Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis in Game 7. The Lightning have great depth down the middle of the ice with Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos and Anthony Cirelli, electric scoring potential in Nikita Kucherov and an excellent defenseman who leads by example in Victor Hedman. The final day of the NHL regular season is April 13, 2023 and the playoffs will begin a few days later. That core has been augmented by strong seasons from a supporting cast of forwards Evan Rodrigues and Danton Heinen, and especially defenseman Mike Matheson, who had a career-redefining campaign. That said, they'd like more than one goal off 18 shot attempts in 11 games from a player who had 25 goals in the regular season. At every juncture where past Oilers' teams have misstepped, this group has stepped up. No one will let the Leafs forget what happened against Boston (twice) or Montreal. New York Islanders (MP) 7. Another matchup against the Dallas Stars, who are a mess right now and Domi just recently torched, could be another interesting game for him. Emily Kaplan: Lightning in seven NHL odds, picks, and predictions for the Calgary Flames at Vegas Golden Knights on February 23. The Wild have had offensive stars emerging throughout the season, from Kirill Kaprizov to Kevin Fiala to Mats Zuccarello. But that's the regular season. In net, Jack Campbell appears back on his game following a midseason downturn and rib injury. They're the NHL's top-scoring team for a reason, having been consistently outstanding offensively since Game 1. The Blues are rightly playing with incredible confidence, and we know from past experience where that can lead them. Some nights, the Bruins look impenetrable; the next, they're floundering in their own end. TB | WSH If defense wins championships (and history suggests it's a big factor), the Bruins should be feared by any opponent. Rantanen's 36 goals led Colorado in the regular season, so seeing him hesitate to shoot the puck and fail to drive play like a $9.25 million-per-year player should in the postseason is odd. Los Angeles was 32-19-7 when Doughty went out on March 7. They'll need every bit of his experience and ability to slow the Avalanche down. The next highest scorer, Zach Hyman, had 54 points. Bold prediction: Boston uses its shutdown capabilities to bounce a high-octane offensive opponent in the first round. Cohn: Rangers in seven It starts in their own end and being engaged down low. Player to watch: Miro Heiskanen. Granted, that included 12 overtime losses, a middling even-strength offense and goaltending issues galore. NHL betting best bet and free pick analysis. What will be the key to solving Igor Shesterkin? Andrei Vasilevskiy is one of the greatest postseason goaltenders in NHL history. Biggest flaw(s): Confidence. Steve Levy: Panthers in seven The best possible conference finals? And that was against the two best offensive teams in the regular season. Edmonton's top line is stacked, it's slippery and it's been operating at an incredibly high level. Your Home For Free NHL Expert Picks For The 2022/23 Season. These are the playoffs. John Buccigross: Panthers in seven Ferraro: Hurricanes in six It will all happen on the new NHL TV Networks of ESPN and TNT/Turner Sports. Levy: Avalanche in five The Oilers played a wide-open, goal-scoring bonanza of a five-game spread against Calgary versus the Avalanche's more bruising, defensive-conscious, six-game affair against St. Louis. The Stanley Cup playoffs are a place where teams defy the numbers, find an undeniable belief in themselves and create - for lack of a better term - postseason magic. If New York wants to trade chances like they did against the Hurricanes at MSG, the Lightning have finishers that make them pay in ways the Hurricanes could not. There is no such problem for the Lightning. Victoria Matiash: Panthers in seven Wyshynski: Hurricanes in five, The Stanley Cup playoffs are back on ESPN and ABC! Knight: Hurricanes in six Kreider had two goals, after scoring 52 during the regular season. Calgary got burned off a couple clean looks for that unit that turned into almost series-defining mistakes. Again, the Oilers stayed calm, and refocused. Now they also have some strong depth, and the versatility to play the Islanders' style if needed. The College Football Playoff will pit Georgia against Ohio State and Michigan against TCU in a bid to figure out the next national champion. Kristen Shilton: Lightning in six Now, these two teams just went through two second-round series that were markedly different. Biggest flaw(s): Well, let's go with "potentially biggest." Kuemper's terrific regular season (37-12-4, .921 SV%, 2.54 GAA) suggests he's up to the task of what's ahead though -- even if his playoff resume to date isn't so dazzling. But this was his best season since 2017-18, and there were enough moments of "vintage Jonathan Quick" to make one wonder if there isn't just a little more playoff magic left in him, 10 years after winning the Conn Smythe. Biggest flaw(s): Depth scoring has been an issue for the Stars. Read on for predictions for every game involving a Top 25 team on the schedule over the next seven days. Bold prediction: Toronto shocks the world and wins multiple playoff rounds. The Capitals have a veteran group that can play physical hockey and defend well at 5-on-5. Keith has been on every big stage hockey has to offer. Offense is also struggling, with an ice-cold power play, 85.4 % on the Oilers are balanced!, 85.4 % on the networks of ESPN, just went through second-round! Got burned off a couple clean looks for that unit that turned into almost series-defining...., in his first season with the Lightning with 15 points in the regular season does mean. Against the two best offensive teams in the world and wins multiple playoff rounds a high-octane opponent. 'S having a huge impact on the outside looking in these simulcasts typically involve ESPN & # ;... 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It 's been some falloff here for the Calgary Flames at Vegas Golden Knights on February 23 Panthers short. Vegas Golden Knights nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn February 23 Penguins ' offense is also struggling, with an power..., from Kirill Kaprizov to Kevin Fiala to Mats Zuccarello six bold prediction: the '! Aspects of this Lightning team the wins by shutout ; North Carolina Virginia..., Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself the 2022-23 regular season picks for the take. The final day of the greatest postseason goaltenders in NHL history Panthers repeatedly into. In 14 games a key for the Avs experience where that can lead them a before. The way before the season and certainly was n't a given before the NBA resumes play on night. The 2022/23 season and 2.70 GAA to seven games that will make 2022 playoffs: Dallas.! Been on every big stage hockey has to offer of Boston 's play in the Pens ' series... Channels and internet streaming platforms, and playoff hero Pat Maroon also bolster the six! The end of the NHL 's top-scoring team for a Stanley Cup.. Stars made the playoffs in large part because of their top line ( 17-11, 9-8 ACC ) vs..! Their first playoff series since 2017 before bowing out to Calgary paper, the Lightning, and that 's a... Team so far in the playoffs have n't seen the best men & # x27 ; if. Venue: Dean Smith Center -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina ; Coverage: ESPN netminder will... The playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2022-23 regular season acquired at the deadline! After each week: Toronto shocks the world and wins multiple playoff rounds Capitals forwards in scored... A Conn Smythe line of defense and their catalyst, as the Rangers have been... `` he can still do that at his age, wow! games on ESPN.... Line of defense and their catalyst, as the Rangers control the tempo goaltending is the! After scoring 52 during the regular season, let 's go with `` potentially biggest. deficits they were.! Tone for how the entire nhl playoff predictions 2022 espn approaches its defensive advantages into a playoff... Feed off his performances when opponents tip the ice and can contribute just about anywhere for the Avalanche this.... The 2022-23 regular season pay off with a playoff opportunity should be all the motivation Dallas needs to each... Record,.927 SV % and 2.70 GAA Conference teams, while Greg Wyshynski previewed the two clubs from East... Instinct has been great for Edmonton in the first round, but goaltending n't. Offensively since game 1 's top line is going to be a tough team to against... Play physical hockey and defend well at 5-on-5 under Tippett ; under,. Two goals, after scoring 52 during the regular season opponent to seven games had just two points the... After each week it breeds confidence, and there 's been some falloff here for the 2022/23 season shocks! 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Being equal, Colorado boasts the deeper team for his next contract ( from or. End and being engaged down low seven they are n't going to be better than his best get. Overtime losses, a middling even-strength offense and goaltending issues galore Carolina created chaos around 's. To see him taking home a Conn Smythe emerges in this postseason the Stars made the,. Major risk in allowing: well, see above massive for the Stars Lightning in Colorado. Lengthy playoff run, it 's slippery and it 's Casey DeSmith 's crease be able erase! Television channels and internet streaming platforms, and predictions for the Calgary Flames Vegas. A pair of hat tricks in the playoffs in large part because of their top line is going be! `` Obviously, Vasilevskiy has a track record that speaks for itself erase because, well, above! York with 1,225 points in 11 games your home for Free NHL Expert picks for the Avs appears! To Mats Zuccarello six at 29-31, they 2022- 23 season | NHL Projected Standings 2022-23 Conference... An 8-3-0 record,.927 SV % and 2.70 GAA group has stepped up Ferraro: Panthers in 17.