This Couldn't Possibly Happen: Round 2 Schedule

Round two starts tonight for two of the series's, with the remaining two beginning on Wednesday night. We have some interesting match-ups, the battle of Alberta with the Edmonton Oilers and their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames. This is the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs since 1991. The sunshine-battle of Florida should also be a tight one, with the defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning facing off against the top team in the league during the regular season, the Florida Panthers. The remaining series's, Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers and will the St. Louis Blues be able to contain the high flying Colorado Avalanche?

Here are my picks and the schedule for the second round:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

 Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A3)

It wasn't that long ago when these two teams met in the playoffs, as the Lightning eliminated the Panthers in six games during the first round of the playoffs last season. The Lightning, of course went on to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in two years, while the Panthers took that experience and turned around to win the President's Trophy for the best record in the regular season. The Lightning barely made it past the Leafs during the first round and they'll rely heavily on Andrei Vasilevskiy to stop the league leading offense this season. The Panther's, Sergei Bobrovsky is no slouch either, so it should be a interesting battle between the two Russian netminders. This might come down to who can take a lead and hold it, something the Lightning had troubles with in the first round. As I said earlier, you can't count out the defending champs just yet.

Lightning in 7 games

Tuesday, May 17: Lightning at Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Thursday, May 19: Lightning at Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Sunday, May 22: Panthers at Lightning, 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, TVAS)

Monday, May 23: Panthers at Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

*Wednesday, May 25: Lightning at Panthers, TBD

*Friday, May 27: Panthers at Lightning, TBD

*Sunday, May 29: Lightning at Panthers, TBD

 

Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. New York Rangers (M2)

I think goaltending will be the biggest question marks for this series. Frederik Anderson remains out for the Hurricanes, so if he can stay healthy, Antti Raanta will take the responsiblity in goal. Igor Shesterkin played closer to his usual brilliance later in the first round and was at his best in the decisive game. Should be a good series, though I'm least interested in this match-up, hopefully the games are close and exciting. Hurricanes in 6 games

Wednesday, May 18: Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS)

Friday, May 20: Rangers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS)

Sunday, May 22: Hurricanes at Rangers, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS)

Tuesday, May 24: Hurricanes at Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS)

*Thursday, May 26: Rangers at Hurricanes, TBD

*Saturday, May 28: Hurricanes at Rangers, TBD

*Monday, May 30: Rangers at Hurricanes, TBD

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

 Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

 

Colorado's highly potent offense probably won't be as dominant as the first round because I think St. Louis will defend better. The Blues can score more goals than the Predators as well, so it should be a more even series and the Avs won't sweep. The Avalanche should be physically challenged more from the Blues, which could help to slow down MacKinnon and Makar. The key will be special teams and staying out of the box. The Blues scored the most PP goals in the first round and the Av's power-play is always deadly.

Avalanche in 6 games

 

Tuesday, May 17: Blues at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Thursday, May 19: Blues at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Saturday, May 21: Avalanche at Blues, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Monday, May 23: Avalanche at Blues, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS)

*Wednesday, May 25: Blues at Avalanche, TBD

*Friday, May 27: Avalanche at Blues, TBD

*Sunday, May 29: Blues at Avalanche, TBD

 

Calgary Flames (P1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)

This highly anticipated battle of Alberta hopefully lives up to the hype with both teams surviving game 7's. The hatred between these teams was evident during the regular season, but both teams will have to stay in control because bad penalties will be a very bad idea. The Oilers power-play (aka: Leon and Connor) are their bread and butter, so Matthew Tkachuk better control himself. I think this will play out with a very physical start to game one, but will settle down into an offensive battle. The Flames didn't score a lot of goals in the first round, but they'll be facing Mike Smith who is either hot or cold, so they have to rattle him early. If the Flames can give less opportunities to the Oilers PP and McDavid and Draisaitl, they have a really good chance to advance. If the Oilers can get secondary scoring from Yamamoto, Kane and Hyman, they have a chance.   

Flames in 7 games

Wednesday, May 18: Oilers at Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Friday, May 20: Oilers at Flames, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Sunday, May 22: Flames at Oilers, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS)

Tuesday, May 24: Flames at Oilers, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)

*Thursday, May 26: Oilers at Flames, TBD

*Saturday, May 28: Flames at Oilers, TBD

*Monday, May 30: Oilers at Flames, TBD

 * if necessary 

TBD -- to be determined

What Did We Learn From the First Round?

We learnt what eight teams advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a very interesting and at times very exciting first round. There weren't really many surprises, as there were no major upsets and the favourites to win the cup were still in contention. The top 2 teams from each division, with the exception of the Leafs and the Wild advanced to the next round. The Leafs only had 5 points more than the Lightning during the regular season, while the Wild only had a slim 4 point lead over the Blues, so the results from those series shouldn't come as a shock. 

For the most part, I watched all the games involving the Canadian teams and I either watched the other games simultaneously on an alternative device (laptop) or switched channels between the games. I probably watched the least of the Florida/Washington series, while the rest of the series's I watched in spurts depending on the score, but there so many one-sided games (more on that later) it was tough to keep my interest.

First round takeaways:

• Bracket failure: I was a sad 50% for my predictions for the first round, as I lost 3 of the 5 series's that went to seven games, which didn't help. The Wild was disappointing and I blame choosing with my heart, instead of head because deep down I thought the Blues would win, but I was cheering for Fleury for the Wild who proved to be futile. He didn't even finish the series in goal. The blow is softened slightly for the Wild since they owe the Blackhawks a second, instead of first round pick for the Fleury trade. I was also had a hunch the Kings could upset the Oilers, but they came, oh so close.
  
• Blow-outs: The story early in the playoffs was the amount of one-sided blowout wins. Scores such as, 7-2, 7-3, 6-2, 5-1, 6-0, 8-2...you get the idea and it just wasn't one team in a series, there was blowout games by both teams. A sample from the Boston/Carolina series: 5-1 C win, 5-2 C, 4-2 B, 5-2 B, 5-1 C, 5-2 B...then OT for game 7. The scores were closer towards the end the rounds, but I heard somewhere that the games in this round had the highest goal differential in a long while.
• Game 7's: Five of the series went to 7 games! I don't have the stats handy, but I would think this is higher than usual. This made up for all the one-sided games, as all the game 7's ended in one goal victories. The excitement hit it's peak when both the final two games last night (Dallas/Calgary, New York/Pittsburgh) needed overtime to decide a winner. 

• Sweep: The only 4-game sweep of the first round was the Colorado vs Nashville series. Game two went to overtime, but otherwise the Avs didn't have to expel too much energy to dispose of the Preds. The Preds used their 3rd string goalie for most of the series with rookie, Connor Ingram and he almost pulled a miracle in game 2 facing 51 shots, but still lost. To try to even it up, the Avs used their backup too, after Kuemper got injured, but he should be back next round.
• Worst series: From a pure spectator standpoint the Blues/Wild series was a big letdown. Every game the margin of victory was 3 or 4 goals, there was no drama or tight close games. Weird series, the Blues dominated the first two (in Minnesota), then the Wild won the next two by wide margins, then they get blown out for the final two games. I thought this would be a much better series, not worth watching. Runner-up: Tie- a). Colorado/Nashville, the Avalanche completely over-matched the Predators, the close game really wasn't close, as Ingram kept the score close. Otherwise, boring...!! b). The Carolina/Boston series, the home team won every game by a lot of goals, though game 7 was close.
• Best series: Without question, the Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars was very exciting! Every game was close and the goaltending on both teams was exceptional. The first two games were low scoring shutouts, but the lack of goals didn't make it less watchable since most of the fights took place during those games. Game 7 may have been the best game of the first round, with overtime and Stars goalie, Jake Oettinger making 64 saves in the loss. Interestingly, the Flames outscored the Stars 15-14 in the series, so close. Runner-up: The Rangers/Penguins and Oilers/Kings series had their moments, some great games and performances, The Leafs/Lightning series was the showdown of the reigning cup champs vs the underachieving, aspiring cup contenders the Leafs...was this the year? No, the Leafs lost in the first round, again! The Leafs have now lost in the decisive game of a first-round series five years in a row!

• Best player: The first round Conn Smythe winner, Jake Oettinger! He was the prime reason the Dallas Stars were even competitive against the much better Flames. The Stars (the team and their best players) didn't provide any offensive and were soundly out-shot every game, but Otter was outstanding with his cool, calm demeanor, he gave them a chance in every game. Think of it, they were one shot from advancing to the next round, it would have been a huge upset. 

Up next: Picks for round two!

Here's NOT What's Going To Happen In the First Round

 

The long road to the Stanley Cup begins with the match-ups set on Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3 for game 1. I submitted my NHL playoff bracket yesterday, but I was informed the deadline to enter is Wednesday, just prior to game 2. That means you can second guess your choices after the first two nights. Anyways, here's my selections for round one, but I could change things up before Wednesday:

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals 

The Panther scored the most goals in the league and Washington's goaltending situation doesn't breed confidence for a possible upset. I don't like Washington or Ovie, so it's easy to guess who I'm picking.

Panthers in 6

M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Boston Bruins

Most years I pick Boston to go far because I believe the Bruins can play a heavy-playoff-style of hockey from the start of the series. Rask is gone, but I have a feeling Caroline will be the team that frets about their goalies. I hear Anderson won't start game one, so advantage Boston. I think I picked the Hurricanes to win the cup last year and they sure didn't! I won't be fooled again!

Bruins in 7

 

A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning

The Leafs haven't won a playoff series since...it's been awhile! Judging by stats and their 115 point season, this might be their best chance ever to win one. The Lightning have won the last 2 cups and if they can get past the Leafs, they could three-peat. I dislike the Leaf so much, I couldn't live with myself if I picked them, so...

Lightning in 7 

M2 New York Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins

I don't dislike either team and I don't really care who wins, I love the Breadman and Copp is a former Jet, but you can't count out Sid or Gene, especially at playoff time. I hope this doesn't come down to goaltending because the Rangers have the edge, but we know goalie stats during the regular season as soooo overrated! Same with home ice.

Penguins in 7

 

Western Conference

C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators

On paper, this series (along with Panthers/Caps) is the biggest mismatch as far as points differential. The Avs are built to win, speedy, physical and high level skill. MacKinnon and Makar in my mind are two of the best at their positions, so this could be short series. Honestly, I can't see the upset, but if the Preds can win the first or/and the second game, watch out.

Avalanche in 5
 

P1 Calgary Flames vs. WC1 Dallas Stars

A Canadian team hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1993 and with the Leafs, Oilers and Flames competing this year I have faint hope. The Flames have played their best hockey in years with a rejuvenated Johnny Hockey, Keith's oldest son and a solid lineup top to bottom. A good match-up, Dallas has a better defense, the Flames the goaltending and both teams have high scoring top lines, but he Flames have more depth at forward. The Stars in their race to the final playoff spot stumbled, but the Knights stumbled more, they're not playing well. I picked the Flames to win the cup, so they better win this series!

Flames in 6
 

C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues

Two fierce Central Division rivals that could be the best series to watch, I don't think they like each other. The Wild were high flying most of the season and solidified their goalie "problem" with both Talbot and Fleury playing well in the stretch drive. The Blues are tough to play against during the regular season and especially the playoffs. Since Minneapolis/St. Paul is the closest other NHL city nearby, I always hope they do well. If they go deeper, I might drive in for a game, plus if they go deeper, the Blackhawks conditional draft pick for the Fleury deal will be upgraded to a first rounder. A Wild win would help the Hawks, go Wild!!

Wild in 7

 

P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Another team I don't want to see go far are the Oilers. The past couple years, the Oilers have exited quickly and it proves you can't win a playoff series with just two players, they can be beat. I hate the idea that Oiler's reliance on Draisaitl and McDavid could work with literally fill-in players and there's a reason they can't keep a coach. The Kings? Let's hope they make Connor and Leon's life miserable. Stop them, you win. The Jets and Hawks did it.

Kings in 7

The Matchups Have Been Set!: NHL 2022 Playoff Schedule

With the conclusion of the last regular season game of the NHL schedule between the Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken, all attention now turns to the beginning of the NHL playoffs. This has to be the first time the playoffs will begin in May which means the Stanley Cup winner will be crowned in the summer. To help you plan your TV watching schedule and coordinate the games you can watch each night, here's the TV schedule for the first round! All the series are a best of 7.

All times are EST, so add 1 hour for CST and add 2 hours in the west.

Don't forget to complete your NHL playoff bracket before 6:00 pm EST!

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Washington Capitals (WC2)

Tuesday, May 3: Capitals at Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, SN360, TVA Sports)

Thursday, May 5: Capitals at Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS, SN360, TVA Sports)

Saturday, May 7: Panthers at Capitals, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)

Monday, May 9: Panthers at Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (TBS, SN1, TVA Sports)

*Wednesday, May 11: Capitals at Panthers, TBD

*Friday, May 13: Panthers at Capitals, Friday, TBD

*Sunday, May 15: Capitals at Panthers, TBD

 

Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A3)

Monday, May 2: Lightning at Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN2)

Wednesday, May 4: Lightning at Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN2)

Friday, May 6: Maple Leafs at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Sunday, May 8: Maple Leafs at Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (TBS, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

*Tuesday, May 10: Lightning at Maple Leafs, TBD

*Thursday, May 12: Maple Leafs at Lightning, TBD

*Saturday, May 14: Lightning at Maple Leafs, TBD

 

Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. Boston Bruins (WC1)

Monday, May 2: Bruins at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports)

Wednesday, May 4: Bruins at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports)

Friday, May 6: Hurricanes at Bruins, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, SN360, TVA Sports)

Sunday, May 8: Hurricanes at Bruins, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)

*Tuesday, May 10: Bruins at Hurricanes, TBD

*Thursday, May 12: Hurricanes at Bruins, TBD

*Saturday, May 14: Bruins at Hurricanes, TBD

 

New York Rangers (M2) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M3)

Tuesday, May 3: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Thursday, May 5: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Saturday, May 7: Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Monday, May 9: Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

*Wednesday, May 11: Penguins at Rangers, TBD

*Friday, May 13: Rangers at Penguins, TBD

*Sunday, May 15: Penguins at Rangers, TBD

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Nashville Predators (WC2)

Tuesday, May 3: Predators at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SN360 (JIP), TVA Sports)

Thursday, May 5: Predators at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, SNE, SN360 (JIP), TVA Sports)

Saturday, May 7: Avalanche at Predators, 4:30 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)

Monday, May 9: Avalanche at Predators, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN1, TVA Sports)

*Wednesday, May 11: Predators at Avalanche, TBD

*Friday, May 13: Avalanche at Predators, TBD

*Sunday, May 15: Predators at Avalanche, TBD

 

Minnesota Wild (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

Monday, May 2: Blues at Wild, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports)

Wednesday, May 4: Blues at Wild, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports)

Friday, May 6: Wild at Blues, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, SN360, TVA Sports)

Sunday, May 8: Wild at Blues, 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS, SN360, TVA Sports)

*Tuesday, May 10: Blues at Wild, TBD

*Thursday, May 12: Wild at Blues, TBD

*Saturday, May 14: Blues at Wild, TBD

 

Calgary Flames (P1) vs. Dallas Stars (WC1)

Tuesday, May 3: Stars at Flames, 10 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN2)

Thursday, May 5: Stars at Flames, 10 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, TBS)

Saturday, May 7: Flames at Stars, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Monday, May 9: Flames at Stars, 9:30 p.m. ET (TBS, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

*Wednesday, May 11: Stars at Flames, TBD

*Friday, May 13: Flames at Stars, TBD

*Sunday, May 15: Stars at Flames, TBD

 

Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (P3)

Monday, May 2: Kings at Oilers, 10 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN2)

Wednesday, May 4: Kings at Oilers, 10 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN2)

Friday, May 6: Oilers at Kings, 10 p.m. ET (TBS, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Sunday, May 8: Oilers at Kings, 10 p.m. ET (TBS, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

*Tuesday, May 10: Kings at Oilers, TBD

*Thursday, May 12: Oilers at Kings, TBD

*Saturday, May 14: Kings at Oilers, TBD

 

* if necessary 

TBD - To Be Determined