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!

Hawks Win! An OT Win Makes Everything Seem Better

 

It was a good night at the United Center last night with lots going on. There was several players returning from injury, a former Hawk makes his return, another former Hawks gets honored and the Hawks win in OT!

• This game against the high powered Oilers featured some key returnees to the lineup. Tyler Johnson hadn't played since late October, Jonathan Toews and Riley Stillman missed over a month and Calvin deHaan returned after healing some aches and pains. The Hawks had one of their most complete lineups since Coach King took over, which meant more balanced lines and no rookies or Gustafsson on defense. Johnson was a little rusty and his ice time was low, but his skill level is noticeable and it's too bad he's been out for so long. Toews is so important to this team on so many situations and with Stillman and deHaan back, the hope is that the defense will be a lot more sturdier and consistent.
• Duncan Keith made his return to Chicago since he was traded last off-season. He played 16 seasons in a Hawks uniform and it's still weird seeing him on the Oilers. He has to be regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in Hawks history and it's sad he'll probably retire on another team. The video tribute was touching and I'm sure he'll be back for a legacy night/jersey number retirement ceremony when he does hang 'em up.

Returning back to Chicago: Keith, Hjalmarsson and Toews (back from injury)

• It was Hammer time or more specifically Niklas Hjalmarsson Legacy Night, with the Hawks honouring his ten years as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. As rugged and as resilient as they come, Hjalmy was a steady influence on D and was considered one of the best defensive defensemen in the league. He didn't win any awards, but he was a key member of the core that won 3 cups, that included Keith, Toews, Kane and Seabrook. That guy took so much abuse and fearlessly blocked shot after shot every night. Great to see him back!
• It was the battle of the Kanes! The Hawks, Patrick Kane scored a goal and set up Alex DeBrincat's game winning overtime goal, while the Oil's, Evander Kane scored two, the second in the last minute to tie the game at 3-3.
• It's funny, no matter who coaches or is GM of the Oiler's, this team has been and still is a two player team. The GM's have promised to bring in more scoring depth, but the fact is McDavid (79 pts.) and Draisaitl (78 pts.) each have more than twice as many points as the next top point getter, Nugent-Hopkins (37 pts.). Maybe the addition of E. Kane will help, but if the Oiler's are serious about going deep in the playoffs (or even making the playoffs!), they have to find more scoring or it'll be a repeat of the last two years. (strategy: shutdown McDavid and Draisaitl = victory).  For that matter, they might want to upgrade their goaltending too, that also killed them last playoffs and will cost them making the playoffs, bank on that!
  

• Good games from, Kirby Dach and Sam Lafferty. Dach has steadily improved the defensive part of his game and made many good back-checks, he was physical and he actually shot the puck when he had an opportunity. A strong finish to the season will be a relief for Hawks fans. Sam Lafferty's play has been impressive since he joined the Hawks and his speed and efficient forecheck should at least keep him in the lineup on the fourth line. He was rewarded with his second goal of the season early in the game and I really like how he plays the game, hopefully he can contribute more offensive.
  
• We it me or was there a lot of wiffed shots? Many optimal changes were missed because of heeled shots and fans on one-timers. Was it the ice? Or just strange luck? It cost the Hawks late in the game when Seth Jones tried to flip and clear the puck after a clean faceoff. He wiffed it and directly passed it to the front of the net that lead to Evander Kane's game tying goal. Ugh!!

Next game, an afternoon encounter with the Flyers in Philly on Saturday. Of note, the Blackhawks haven't won a regular season game in Philadelphia since 1996. Ugh ugh!!