Hello! Last week, I posted some random thoughts for both the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs, almost a couple of weekends ago, with analysis on every series from both. It was time-consuming and took a lot of effort, but it was also fun. Let’s not waste any time; welcome to part 3!
Winnipeg vs. Dallas
The Mikko Rantanen revenge tour keeps steamrolling! It’s amazing that he gets traded from Colorado to Carolina, to the Dallas Stars, all in just one season, and he finds himself on a Dallas Stars team that is up 1-0 on the Jets. Besides that, he has TWO consecutive hat tricks in the playoffs, with the latest being a natural hat trick!! Amazing!!!! Now onto Winnipeg. The Jets did not look good in Game 4 as they had twenty giveaways, only had three hits, and of the three goals scored on them, their penalty killers gave up two of them in a crushing 3-1 loss. They’d better dig deep if they hope to have any chance of coming back in this series.
Vegas vs. Edmonton
I’ll get straight to the point; Edmonton needs to win now as Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and friends will only have so many chances at a Cup before their championship window closes, and it looks like they know it too as they have frustrated and stifled the Golden Knights, winning 4-4 in Game 1, get an OT victory in Game 2, and they were able to shut them down in Game 4 winning 3-0. So, they just need to finish the job. Vegas can still come back. But if they do, how much gas will they have left if they run into either Dallas or Winnipeg in the Western Conference Finals?
Washington vs. Carolina
For these two clubs, they both won a Cup in this century, but they’re thirsty for more! First, for the DC Capitals, Ovi and company won their Cup title in 2018. However, leading up to this season, they haven’t been able to get out of the first round of the playoffs, while they didn’t even qualify in 2023. Now that they’re back with the top record in the East, along with Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for most career goals, they want to win a second for him. But they have they are nailed to the wall thanks to a tenacious Carolina Hurricanes team trying to overcome playoff frustrations of their own, as they haven’t even been to a Cup Final since their first title in 2006 vs. Edmonton. If they close out Washington, which looks like they will, either the Leafs or Panthers will have a very difficult time against them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Toronto vs. Florida
This matchup is a true wildcard. Both teams are loaded with talent, but also carry a huge burden going in. The Leafs are trying to get to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since their last title in 1967, while the Panthers try to successfully defend the Cup themselves. Florida has its championship; they have nothing to lose. For Toronto, if they want to finally win the Stanley Cup, the time will have to be now. But, with goalie Anthony Stolarz still out with his injury, Joseth Woll will really need to hold the fort, but he desperately needs his buddies to score goals. The first three games were decided by a goal, and the Leafs were shut out 2-0 in Game 4. Game 5 may decide the entire series.
Enjoy the rest of the Conference Semifinals!
