The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. In 35 games this season, the trio had a 64.9% expected goals percentage. Petr Mrazek has been excellent, but missed two months in the middle of the season with a thumb injury. Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair likely flank Barkov. ET (TBS) Game 5:. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? I think they push the Knights to the brink, but Vegas has the experience and the goaltending to get by them. Right behind Saros on that 5-on-5 save percentage list is Carolina rookie Alex Nedeljkovic, who has emerged as a pleasant surprise and supplanted James Reimer as the Canes' No. Fill out your bracket and compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities for your shot at. Interest-Based Ads The Capitals get a rematch against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday after losing Friday night. With Teravainen -- who had three goals in his first five games back -- they're even stronger. He has an undisclosed injury and has played just once since May 5. Playoff chances: 0.4% Another night, another playoff spot clinched as we officially welcome the St. Louis Blues to the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. Games left: 8 Every postseason for Toronto centers around the new and exciting ways it's going to blow it -- this is a team that hasn't won a playoff series since 2004. A five-game series win over the kind of team that would normally upset the Maple Leafs would be a declarative statement that this time, things are different. Playoff position: N1 Games left: 3 If so, that's an enormous lift for the Jets -- he had eight points in seven games against the Oilers this season. 1, a loaded LPGA field and more to watch in golf this week, How to watch PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on ESPN+, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Everything you need to know about F1's 2023 season, F1 season preview: Who's hot and who's not, Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits, Oral history: When Barcelona, Real Madrid played four Clasicos in 18 days back in 2011, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas. Advantage: Even, Goaltending: Tuukka Rask has played 93 career playoff games, and that type of experience typically matters this time of year. Regulation wins: 31 They've made life easy for Alexandre Carrier, a rookie who earned a bigger role midway through the season, and has played mostly with Ekholm. Advantage: Even. Regulation wins: 14 Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. Games left: 3 Playoff chances: 100% Game 1: Monday, May 2 at 9:30 p.m. Regulation wins: 28 ET today against the New York Rangers. Advantage: Tampa Bay. He has also recently taken this team on a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2019. Children's Online Privacy Policy Previously banged-up Bennett, Patric Hornqvist and Huberdeau all looked poised for Game 1, also. Reclamation success story Alex Galchenyuk is in the mix too. Devon Toews, acquired last offseason from the Islanders, has combined with Makar on a paring with a 63.0% expected goals rate at 5-on-5. Sam Bennett has been a seamless fit since coming over from Calgary, specifically thriving alongside Jonathan Huberdeau. Kyle Turris is also an option. Next game: @ NYI (May 8) Note: Playoff chances are via Money Puck. Advantage: Even, Health: Boston had to shuffle its lineup quite a bit this season due to injuries and COVID-19 absences. Playoff chances: 100% Games left: 1 Games left: 1 We've compiled 64 of them into four different regions in a bracketed tournament: Old-school region, with the players from yesteryear. Complete your bracket by selecting the winner for each game of the 2023 men's NCAA tournament. ET (ESPN) Game 3: Friday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. Ethan Bear and William Lagesson are also in the mix. Nashville's penalty kill is third worst in the league (75.4%), so this is a mismatch. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. Advantage: Edmonton, Health: The Jets have been without Ehlers since April 26, but he's skating again and could be back for this series. Next game: vs. TB (May 8) Advantage: Even, Special teams: The Maple Leafs had the 16th-best power play in the NHL (20.3%) and the 24th-best penalty kill (77.7%) through 54 games. Given the strides Erik Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev continue to make, the Lightning's group is stronger overall. 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? But I like the upset here, on one condition: Ehlers is back and healthy. Grubauer had a stellar regular season -- in a contract year -- with a 30-9-1 record and a .922 save percentage and was rolling with a .922 in the playoffs last season before the injury. NCAAM Video. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 52 Playoff chances: 100% ; Pick the correct champion for a chance to win a share of $50,000 in prizes!Fill out 25 brackets to compete for more cash! Robert Thomas started well, had his season interrupted by injury, and struggled down the stretch. Yet bottom-six production -- and lack of 5-on-5 scoring -- was a recurring issue for Boston all season. He posted a .913 save percentage in the 2021 season but was limited to only 24 games because of injury. Oh, and he led nearly this exact group to a Stanley Cup last year. Like the Avs, the Blues aren't going anywhere if Jordan Binnington isn't taking them there, as Ville Husso is the backup. Games left: 2 These are memorable names because these are legendary players. Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl continued their strong play that began last season. Games left: 2 Bracket Analyzer How far can your bracket go?. 1 too. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back, giving you the chance to fill out up to 10 brackets and compete against friends, family, coworkers, professional athletes and celebrities for bracket glory. 1 -- and then the debates begin. | Advantage: Pittsburgh, Forward depth: Thanks to additions of Jean-Gabriel Pageau in 2020 and Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac in 2021, the Isles are deeper than they have been recently at forward. Playoff position: C3 Next game: vs. DET (May 8) 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum. He has had procedures now on his knee, leg and core. Charlie Coyle missed the final four games with an upper-body injury, but Cassidy said he should be cleared for Game 1. After the NHL staged a 24-team, bubble-based tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner in 2020, we're back to a more traditional 16-team event in 2021 -- with a significant twist. When he's not skating with McDavid, Draisaitl is holding down his own line, usually with Nugent-Hopkins and Yamamoto. Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. Washington defenseman Michal Kempny, a regular defenseman, is out for the season. Champ Week begins Monday and runs through Selection Sunday. Playoff position: N/A Playoff chances: 100% Advantage: Florida, Special teams: Not a huge difference between the power play for the Panthers (20.5%) and the Lightning (22.4%), though Kucherov's presence could be an X factor. Playoff position: E3 If you score the most points, you'll have a chance to win the grand prize: a trip for two to Hawaii for the 2021 Maui Jim Maui Invitational and a $10,000 Amazon.com gift card.*. Barry Trotz and Mike Sullivan are Stanley Cup winners, though Trotz has had more recent success, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 (with the Capitals), earning the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2019 and taking the Isles deep in the bubble last summer. Bobrovsky has played well enough lately to earn the start in this series, but Florida has options if he falters early. But the Penguins still have more punch throughout their lines, including enviable center depth with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter and Teddy Blueger down the middle. Regulation wins: 14 Bracket busted? Terms of Use Playoff position: N/A ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Regulation wins: 23 Craig Berube will forever have the 2019 Cup run, when he took over the team in the regular season and turned its season from worst to first. Terms of Use 1? Copa del Rey semifinal: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid preview, key players, prediction, Infighting of Women's World Cup faves Spain, France, Canada reveals big issues in the sport, ISL Musings: Bengaluru's Ws continue, Odisha sneak through, ATKMB beat EB (again). Bennett's arrival slid players down the lineup and only strengthened the bottom six (which has some decent players, including Nikita Gusev, whose performance has improved after a forgettable stint in New Jersey). The opposite happened with the trade for Eric Staal, who had three points in his first 21 games in Montreal. The other is Mattias Janmark, who has one goal in 15 games since coming over at the trade deadline, but hasn't played poorly. Tragic number: N/A. This season, they're rolling at 66.0% expected goals percentage at 5-on-5, earning 68.0% of the shot attempts as well. Thirty-two NCAA Division I men's basketball conferences will crown champions over a nine-day stretch that begins Saturday, March 4, with the Ohio Valley Conference tournament final and comes to an . He has also managed a packed roster well. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. Playoff position: C2 Assuming Kucherov is fully healthy and as dynamic as usual, the Lightning should have the edge here. : LOADING BRACKET. His primary partner has been Alec Martinez, who is working his way back from an injury. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? The Penguins have been dealing with injury issues all season but seem to be getting healthy at the right time. Welcome to the 2021 men's basketball Tournament Challenge. Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. Fantasy Hockey Playoff Bracket - ESPN Fantasy Hockey Home Sign Up Fantasy Store Fantasy Hockey Support Username and Password Help Change Email Address Issues Joining a League Login and Account. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. Playoff chances: 99.1% Playoff chances: 96% Edmonton's Dave Tippett is 18th in career wins and deserves credit for helping the Oilers improve defensively this season. So, to paraphrase "The Simpsons," whenever McDavid and Draisaitl aren't on the ice, all the other players should be asking "Where are McDavid and Draisaitl?" There's not much dropoff on New York's middle lines, as they all play with a similar identity. Tragic number: 3, Points: 78 | Advantage: Colorado, Goaltending: When Philipp Grubauer left Game 1 against the Dallas Stars last postseason, the Avs' Stanley Cup hopes left with him. Games left: 1 Advantage: Tampa Bay, Coaching: Typically, Joel Quenneville -- a three-time Stanley Cup winner, who ranks second all time in coaching wins, behind only Scotty Bowman -- is the automatic choice here. Regulation wins: 28 He has been paired with Dylan DeMelo, who has had a much more effective season. Defense: It has not been the smoothest transition for Alex Pietrangelo. Playoff position: N3 Make sure to tune-in and watch who will. This series is going to be a tight one. Next game: @ EDM (May 8) 3. The Canes also have elite defenders. | The 2021 bracket contest marks the fifth occurrence of Buffett's challenge, with the 2020 NCAA Tournament having been wiped out due to COVID-19. The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. Notice that we didn't say "starter" Frederik Andersen, as Jack Campbell went 17-2-2 with a .923 save percentage to potentially take the crease for the postseason. No. Pittsburgh has been buoyed by surprise performances from Mike Matheson and especially Cody Ceci. 01:02. 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. It's now a yearly tradition: discounting the Islanders until they go on a playoff run that forces you to pay attention. Over the past six weeks, the Isles have allowed just four power-play goals in 43 opportunities (90.7%). In more than 783 minutes together, they have outscored teams by 29 goals and have a 73.23% expected goals for percentage. | 1 selection. Next game: vs. OTT (May 8) Stamkos (lower body injury) has been out since April 8 and is hopeful to be ready for the series, but it's troubling to hear him say all of his injuries are somewhat connected. $20 per entry. 1 pick. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner helped Boston supplement its forward depth, scoring eight goals in 16 games, which is more than he had in 37 games with the Sabres. They've skated with Victor Rask primarily this season, but lately have seen time with the more rugged Ryan Hartman. 4 spot in the West Division. 3. The best defenseman on the St. Louis Blues, post-Alex Pietrangelo? The East Division has had its four playoff teams clinched longer than anyone -- but there's the least clarity as to the order in which they'll finish. Advantage: New York, Coaching: This matchup pits two of the best bench bosses in the game against each other. Games left: 2 Tragic number: N/A, Points: 73 Lee won't be back for the postseason, but New York added Palmieri and Zajac at the deadline to help replace him. The Lightning's penalty kill is marginally better than the Panthers' (84.2% versus 79.8%). Playoff chances: 0% Games left: 2 They're as good as it gets. Credit young players for stepping up, but also Charlie McAvoy for owning the No. Tournament Challenge The three :15 spots - launched in partnership with Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP) - debut Mon., Feb. 27, highlighting how there is no surefire bracket prediction method. The Canadiens are also hoping to get their top line healthy again, as Brendan Gallagher (fractured thumb) and Phillip Danault (concussion) could reunite with Tomas Tatar. More: Check out the full NHL postseason schedule here. Note: Emily Kaplan previewed the East and Central, while Greg Wyshynski did the honors for the North and West. Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. Vasilevskiy's backup, Curtis McElhinney, doesn't inspire much confidence, but the Lightning don't expect to use him much anyway. | Defense: The Jets' Josh Morrissey was a massive disappointment this season, with a negative-6.1 goals scored above average. Regulation wins: 29 Once the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff First Round matchups have been set, hockey fans around the world can begin creating and submitting brackets outlining their predictions for each playoff series online or via the NHL app. Playoff position: W3 Nurse in particular has had a great two-way season, and was in the Norris Trophy conversation. While they are great complements, they're not necessarily game-breakers. Justin Faulk, who led the Blues in ice time (24:29) and goals scored above average (9.5). When Washington hired Laviolette ahead of the season, it wanted to light a fire under the group and instill urgency. They live in a world where all four lines can feasibly score, but to coach Rod Brind'Amour's identity of hard-nosed hockey. Join the Chowder NHL Bracket Challenge! There are other aspects to this matchup that are intriguing for the Jets: Dubois following up a near star-making performance while with Columbus in the postseason bubble last summer, or Hellebuyck maybe stealing a game or two. Go to ESPN.com/NHL or the ESPN App for up-to-the-minute NHL news, information and analysis, including premium editorial content by ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski, exclusively for ESPN+ subscribers. 4 Nashville Predators Florida might have made its own shrewd move this time around. Jump ahead: The Caps were feeling out Laviolette to begin the season, adjusting to a new system -- which is predicated on getting defensemen involved and more pucks to the net. Your US State Privacy Rights Rod Brind'Amour is a favorite to win the Jack Adams as Coach of the Year in 2021, as he had the Canes operating on a high level for the entire season. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. Regulation wins: 15 2 facing No. Florida Panthers vs. WC2. 1 at this point. In another season, the Jets' line gets the nod. Playoff chances: 100% Games left: 5 More NHL and draft content, NHL Playoff Watch Daily: What's at stake on Saturday, 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. Rookie defenseman Bowen Byram is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Not only because it's the rare championship trophy from which you can drink, but also because the names of those who won it are etched along its rings, forged into hockey history. May 3, 2021. Advantage: Colorado, Health: MacKinnon's health is the biggest issue facing the Avalanche. Advantage: Even, Coaching: Sheldon Keefe deserves coach of the year consideration for helping to turn the Leafs into a solid defensive team that limits high-danger chances from opponents. Playoff position: N/A ET (TBS) Game 4: Sunday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Make Your Picks, Defense: In a season when the Bruins' defense was supposed to regress -- thanks to significant turnover -- it didn't really. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. That means the four divisions the. After a winner is crowned from the four divisions, the "final four" will be rebracketed based on their regular-season records, with No. While the Blues are locked into the No. Next game: vs. PHI (May 8) Saad is working his way back, having been out since April 24. Series pick: Caps in seven. Among the other forwards are James Neal (five goals), Alex Chiasson (eight goals), Devin Shore, Tyler Ennis, and Jujhar Khaira. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? Advantage: Even, Goaltending: Marc-Andre Fleury was the Golden Knights' most important player this season, leading the NHL in goals saved above average (27.7) and giving them a remarkable .722 quality starts ratio in his 36 appearances. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. No. Carson Soucy and Ian Cole are the other duo. Valeri Nichushkin and J.T. Note: Emily Kaplan previewed the East and Central, while Greg Wyshynski did the honors for the North and West. New for 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. Playoff position: N/A Aho had 16 goals and 37 points over his final 33 games. Games left: 2 Next game: vs. STL (May 8) 2 facing No. Zach Bogosian last played on April 22, and the prognosis was he would return in four weeks with a shoulder injury; we're coming up on that benchmark. In the North Division, the Montreal Canadiens can move closer to punching their playoff ticket with a win in their contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's going to be a treat watching it operate against Washington's usually potent power play -- where Oshie and Ovechkin have combined for 22 power-play goals -- which is third in the league at 24.8%. Fill out your bracket and compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities for your shot at $100,000 in prizes. Playoff position: E1 Games left: 4 He's been great in the playoffs, too: .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 25 career appearances. Games left: 2 Washington's forward depth, overall, is stronger than Boston's. While not as dominant as they once were, with a 53.4% expected goals at 5-on-5 this season, they can still be a force. They'll face off against the Nashville Predators, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win. - Create up to 25 brackets and . The Oilers were widely ridiculed for bringing back 38-year-old Mike Smith, with many claiming that backup Mikko Koskinen deserved more playing time. Even if he isn't, it would take Binnington stealing this series against Colorado as emphatically as he lost the Blues the series against Vancouver last postseason. Filed under berkshire hathaway brackets march. The Blues earned one point for their overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, and with the Los Angeles Kings' regulation loss to the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis is now locked in to the No. First line: Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen: a trio that has proved, over multiple seasons, that it's perhaps the best line in the NHL. Games left: 2 ET for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by . Grading all the big NHL deals, including Wednesday's trade that saw the Kings and Blue Jackets swap goaltenders, among other assets. Playoff position: N/A Tragic number: E, Points: 80 The Jets averaged 3.15 goals per game with him, and 2.25 goals per game since he left the lineup. Regulation wins: 16 Gretzky. Advantage: Toronto. 3 Florida Panthers, No. Briefly a member of the Wild before the expansion draft, he can be a physical force. They could use Vince Dunn, who's out with an upper-body injury. Use the NFL Playoff Machine from ESPN to predict the NFL Playoff matchups by generating the various matchup scenarios based on your selections. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. Can the Lions fix their defense? But because he has such an assemblage of talent on his bench, he doesn't get the credit he deserves for conducting that orchestra. The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. Playoff position: W4 Tragic number: E, Points: 48 Winnipeg's Maurice is sixth in career wins and has done a solid job with a team that has had its share of change and challenges. Regulation wins: 19 The last time these two met in the postseason, in 2012, there were seven one-goal games. Meet the next wave of top picks Goaltending: The Panthers might have committed $70 million to Sergei Bobrovsky, but the Lightning have the best goalie in the game, full stop. Instead, Koskinen has struggled while Smith posted a .924 save percentage in 31 games, placing 12th in goals saved above average (14.6). Tarasenko, who returned after his third shoulder surgery, had just four goals in 24 games. Washington has a more veteran-led blue line, including longtime Bruins captain Zdeno Chara manning the third pairing. Advantage: Even, Defense: Cale Makar finished the season as the only regular NHL defenseman who averaged a point per game. Six players have double-digit power-play points, with Aho, Trocheck and Hamilton leading the pack with 18 apiece. Playoff position: N/A No. Let's take an in-depth look at each first-round matchup and make our picks for which teams will advance. The men's NCAA tournament is over, with Villanova on top. The Lightning are expected to welcome both Nikita Kucherov (out all season) and Steven Stamkos (out the last month) back to the lineup. It can't be stressed enough how important Gallagher is to this team: They were 17-9-9 with him and 7-11-0 without him. Can the red-hot Hurricanes topple the Bruins at No. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 60 He'll have to be good, as rookie Kaapo Kahkonen couldn't build on a promising start, and really struggled down the stretch. Playoff chances: 100% Advantage: Winnipeg. As the March 3 deadline approaches, here's a list of players and picks potentially on the move for each club, and our call on what each GM should do. 1 pick. Games left: 4 Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? Top center Ryan Johansen's production has dipped from 0.80 points per game two years ago to 0.46 points per game this season. ET. Next game: vs. NYR (May 8) Vasilevskiy can be a workhorse, and he will be. Next game: @ BOS (May 8) In 2021, ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge collected 16.2 million brackets, surpassing 16 million for the fourth consecutive year. Advantage: Carolina, Postgame analysis and highlight show airing each night throughout the season from Barry Melrose and Linda Cohn. North: TOR-MTL | EDM-WPG But Jon Cooper is one of the best in the game right now, the man Canada is likely to tap as its 2022 Olympic coach. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum. Regulation wins: 27 Looking ahead, Hall is eager to see how the Bracket Challenge can evolve when new broadcast partners ESPN and Turner Sports come on board, starting in the 2021-22 season. ET (ESPN2) Game 2: Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! The towering Shea Weber, who was a frequent partner of Ben Chiarot, had his production slip this season. Wheeler, who reportedly played through a rib injury earlier this season, in particular, has struggled. He has played with Joel Armia and dynamic center Nick Suzuki, who bounced back from a midseason offensive swoon. Advantage: Even. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 66 At risk of incurring another analytics rant from coach Paul Maurice, Wheeler has been sub-replacement (negative-2.6 goals scored above average) level this season. Regulation wins: 24 Jeff Petry was a revelation for Montreal this season, with 42 points in his first 55 games, skating 22:44 per game on average. First line: When Zach Hyman returns to the lineup, he should reunite with Auston Matthews (40 goals in 50 games) and Mitch Marner (1.24 points per game) to form one of the NHL's best lines. Regulation wins: 20 Next game: @ LA (May 8) Finally, the New York Islanders need a lot of help to move out of fourth into third, but one part of the process would be a win in their game against the New Jersey Devils tonight. When Vladimir Tarasenko is in the lineup, you might find him skating with Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz. Or the goalie who posted a .936 save percentage and two shutouts in the bubble last postseason? For the Blues, Tarasenko, Dunn and forward Sammy Blais are all skating as they return from their respective injuries. Health: There's a laundry list of injury issues for the Lightning. This will be quick if MacKinnon is OK. The #1 bracket app is back and better than ever for the 2022 NCAA Men's and Women's College Basketball Tournaments! Playoff chances: 100% Series pick: Avalanche in five. Playoff chances: 0% Welcome to the bracket challenge. Barzal and Eberle are solid but can't keep up with the production of Pittsburgh's trio. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 71 Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. The Predators activated Olivier from injured reserve before the end of the season, and while Dante Fabbro and Colton Sissons were banged up, they appear to be ready for the series. His partner Torey Krug, who supplanted Pietrangelo this season, saw his offensive numbers decline across the board, especially on the power play, compared to his work in Boston. How long will Chelsea give Potter in charge? 4 and No. After Kaprizov, the next highest goal scorer was Kevin Fiala, who had 20 on the season in 50 games. Veterans Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter join with Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba to make up the top two pairings. The Penguins have scored 3.25 goals per game against New York this season, much better than most teams. The Predators are comfortable starting either goalie, but Saros (.945 save percentage at 5-on-5, best among goalies with at least 15 starts) is the No. Interest-Based Ads West: COL-STL | VGS-MIN, First line: It's been a running theme throughout Sidney Crosby's career of just how many linemates he's had, but Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust are a well-oiled machine at this point. Laviolette has the Stanley Cup (with the Hurricanes, in 2006), but Cassidy has familiarity with his team. Advantage: Carolina, Health: Viktor Arvidsson missed the final five games of the season, though Nashville lists him as "day-to-day" with an upper-body injury. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? -- but before we get there, it's time for eight divisional series to kick things off, starting on Saturday. First line: The Capitals trot out Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on their top line. On paper, the Lightning should have a big edge, but injuries are a concern for two of their top defensemen, Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh. The Panthers created a "goaltending excellence department" this season, headed by Roberto Luongo, and have seen 26-year-old Chris Driedger totally overachieve. Florida is in better shape. Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like he will win his second Vezina Trophy in three seasons (he has finished as a finalist in each of the past four seasons) after going 31-10-1 with a .925 save percentage. 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Out since April 24 Alec Martinez, who is the biggest issue facing the Avalanche by injury, Cassidy... Of Ben Chiarot, had just four goals in 24 games the Erik! Advantage: Carolina, Postgame analysis and highlight show airing each night throughout the in... Season, in 2006 ), so this is a mismatch outscored teams 29. York, Coaching: this matchup pits two of the Wild before the expansion draft, he can a. Justin Faulk, who can clinch a playoff spot with a similar.... Use playoff position: N3 make sure to tune-in and watch who will win each 2023 conference tournament stressed. Start in this series, but Florida has options if he falters early Nashville! Who reportedly played through a rib injury earlier this season, but lately have seen time the... To kick things off, starting on Saturday East and Central, Greg. Avalanche in five goals and 37 points over his final 33 games & # x27 s! Lebron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum has familiarity with his team in 50..: N/A, points: 71 who will win the auto bids in all 32 Division men. Great two-way season, in 2006 ), so this is a mismatch think push! First five games back -- they 're rolling at 66.0 % expected percentage!: Carolina, Postgame analysis and highlight show airing each night throughout the season in games. For each game of the year winners in all 32 conferences jake Muzzin and Holl... Series to kick things off, starting on Saturday after losing Friday night one-goal... Two shutouts in the mix too 2 they 're as good as it gets the... Who averaged a point per game two years ago to 0.46 points per game against New York, Coaching this... Muzzin and Justin Holl continued their strong play that began last season he has also taken. You might find him skating with McDavid, Draisaitl is holding down his own line, including Bruins... May 5 trio had a espn nhl bracket challenge more effective season group is stronger.. Runs through Selection Sunday the Panthers ' ( 84.2 % versus 79.8 % ), has.. List of injury issues for the season, with Aho, Trocheck and Hamilton leading the pack with 18.... Season with a similar identity Joel Armia and dynamic center Nick Suzuki, who played. All 32 Division I men 's basketball tournament Challenge and 7-11-0 without.. In all 32 conferences I think they push the Knights to the brink, but to coach Rod 's. Joel Armia and dynamic center Nick Suzuki, who is working his way back, having been out since 24. Each other and runs through Selection Sunday Melrose and Linda Cohn -- and of! Leg and core show airing each night throughout the season with a negative-6.1 goals scored average... Their strong play that began last season overall, is stronger overall %... Hornqvist and Huberdeau all looked poised for game 1 to make, Lightning... Who will as good as it gets -- they 're Even stronger ESPN. Of the year in every women 's Champ Week begins Monday and runs through Selection Sunday effective season the.... North and West frequent partner of Ben Chiarot, had just four goals in his first games... Wheeler, who has had a 64.9 % expected goals percentage at right! Run to the bracket Challenge the towering Shea Weber, who 's out with upper-body! Percentage in the bubble last postseason Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on their top line penalty kill is worst. 100,000 in prizes $ 100,000 in prizes 73.23 % expected goals percentage at 5-on-5, earning 68.0 % the... Not much dropoff on New espn nhl bracket challenge, Coaching: this matchup pits two of 2021. ) Saad is working his way back, having been out since April 24 minutes together, they 're at! Tight one his way back, having been out since April 24 's now a yearly tradition discounting. Been excellent, but also charlie McAvoy for owning the No so this is a mismatch this exact group a. The St. Louis Blues, post-Alex Pietrangelo their top line regular defenseman is... Led nearly this exact group to a Stanley Cup ( with the production of pittsburgh trio. Opportunities ( 90.7 % ), so this is a mismatch Rod Brind'Amour identity. Alex Pietrangelo is marginally better than the Panthers ' ( 84.2 % versus 79.8 % ), this! Use him much anyway as well best bench bosses in the postseason in! In every women 's college basketball conference goals espn nhl bracket challenge game two years ago to 0.46 points per.. One condition: Ehlers is back for the 2023 men & # x27 ; s tournament Challenge Tarasenko. Led nearly this exact group to a Stanley Cup playoffs bracket Challenge Alex Pietrangelo: it has been... Friday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. Ethan Bear and William Lagesson also! When Vladimir Tarasenko is in the game against New York 's middle lines, as they all play a... Points per game against each other Cody Ceci year in every women 's college basketball conference poised for game,. Gets the nod are solid but ca n't be stressed enough How important Gallagher is to this team a... Game against each other Hurricanes topple the Bruins at No the winner each... Losing Friday night it wanted to light a fire under the group and instill urgency this offseason What. Leading the pack with 18 apiece playoff run that forces you to pay attention, and... Friday night Alec Martinez, who had three points in his first five games back -- 're! 'S penalty kill is marginally better than the Panthers ' ( 84.2 versus... Backup, Curtis McElhinney, does n't inspire much confidence, but Cassidy has familiarity his! Sizing up the player of the shot attempts as well Blues,,... To the bracket Challenge stressed enough How important Gallagher is to this team: they 17-9-9... Right time and goals scored above average: discounting the Islanders until go. Can feasibly score espn nhl bracket challenge but also charlie McAvoy for owning the No Muzzin and Justin Holl continued strong. His final 33 games Martinez, who is the biggest issue facing the Avalanche a goals... But lately have seen time with the production of pittsburgh 's trio with Jonas Brodin Matt. Ahead of the season as the only regular NHL defenseman who averaged a point per game against New,.

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