Predicting the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs
NEW YORK (BVM) — The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs wrapped this past Sunday with two games finishing in overtime. It left hockey fans wanting more, which they’ll get Tuesday when the second round starts.
Here are our predictions for the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
For the second straight season, Florida’s two NHL teams will battle it out for a trip to the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals. In last season’s playoff matchup, the Lightning defeated the Panthers in six games. This postseason could prove to be a difference, though. The Panthers won the Presidents’ Trophy, proving to be the league’s top team. With that being said, they will run into one of, if not the top goaltender in the NHL in Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy posted a save percentage of .897 and allowed a goals against average (GAA) of 3.04.
This series has the makings of another long one, but only eight Presidents’ Trophy winners have raised the Stanley Cup. The Panthers’ run ends here.
Lightning in seven.
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs isn’t easy. But the Rangers did it and will now be facing their Metropolitan Division foe. The Hurricanes are also coming off a suspenseful seven-game series, so this series is setting up to be one of the best series of playoffs.
Now, the Rangers have one of the best young talents minding the crease in Igor Shesterkin. He posted a save percentage of .911 and saved 282 shots in the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was an excellent performance from Shesterkin, but he’ll have a tough challenge against an aggressive-minded Hurricane team. And can the Rangers keep up with the Hurricanes? It’ll be a difficult task.
Hurricanes in five.
St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche
This series could be one of the most lopsided matchups in the playoffs. The Avalanche, who remain the betting favorites to win the Cup, faced the Blues in the first round last year and swept them out of the playoffs. There’s no reason to believe that this series will go any differently. The Avalanche will overwhelm the Blues here and make their return to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2001.
Cale Makar has the most points through the first 4 playoff games by a defenseman in NHL history #FindAWay
— Avs Stats (@avsstats) May 10, 2022
The Avalanche sweep the Blues.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
In Game 7, Jake Oettinger nearly willed the Dallas Stars to a series victory over the Flames with 64 saves. But the Flames were able to overpower the Stars in overtime and move on. The same goes for the Oilers, as goaltender Mike Smith posted a GAA of 2.29 and a save percentage of .938 in the seven-game series. Along with Smith’s efforts, Connor McDavid helped the Oilers move on with 14 points, which led every skater in the first round.
Connor McDavid (EDM97) hit another level in the Oilers' 2-0 game seven win over LA.
He scored a goal and a primary assist, took 12 shots, had 14 5v5 shot assists, and a 72% xGF% at 5v5.
Here are his most notable plays and puck touches from last night. #LetsGoOilers #NHLPotN pic.twitter.com/oHmUgiHBjh
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) May 15, 2022
Now, hockey fans get to see The Battle for Alberta for the first time since 1991. It will be a battle between the Pacific Division’s top two teams; it’s sure to provide a lot of fireworks. In spite of that, it’s about what team can continue their style of play and capitalize on that. It’s going to be tough, but Calgary gets it done here.
well this should be fun. 🙂
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 16, 2022
Flames in seven.
THE SECOND ROUND MATCHUPS OF THE #StanleyCup PLAYOFFS ARE LOCKED IN. 🔒
How's your #NHLBracket looking? pic.twitter.com/eVsetNmcPp
— NHL (@NHL) May 16, 2022
