Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Last 7: Canadiens (4-2-1) Lightning (5-2-0)
Notable Injuries: TB Ben Bishop (G)
The Bolts showcase their patent-pending, multi-layered "onion" defense
As is pretty much always the case in hockey, each team's goaltending is the main topic of conversation for this series. With breakout goaltender Ben Bishop, a likely Vezina finalist, sidelined with an upper-body injury, the Bolts enter the series lacking one of their best players. The Lightning will be counting on Anders Lindback to fill that gap. The good news for Lighting fans? Lindback has been sensational so far, winning all 3 of his starts and allowing only two goals in that stretch, and back-up back-up Kristers Gudlevskis stood on his head in his start, saving 36 of 38. Personally, I'm excited to see if they'll be able to keep it up when the pressure's on, as neither goaltender has started a playoff game in their career.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the white-hot Canadiens looking to ride goaltender Carey Price to victory, as he's had a sensational year in his own right. While the Canadiens seem to have put their scoring woes behind them with surging Max Paccioretty and the acquisition of Thomas Vanek, averaging 2.8 goals per game over their last 10, it remains to be seen whether the Habs can keep it up the pace.
Scoring goals has seldom been a problem for the Lightning, but the . While you can never discount a team with a healthy Steven Stamkos, Valteri Filpulla and rookie sensation Ondrej Palat on the roster, the lack of goaltending experience will likely be the Bolts' undoing in this series. Oh, did I mention the Canadiens still have last year's Norris winner P.K. Subban? While it's close, the absence of Ben Bishop between the pipes for the Lightning makes this an easy choice.
EDGE - CANADIENS
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Last 7: Blue Jackets (5-2-0) Penguins (3-2-2)
Notable Injuries: PIT Evgeni Malkin (C), CLS Nick Foligno (C), Nathan Horton (C)
Geno is back and ready for action!
Here we have a proverbially David vs. Goliath, featuring a perennial basement dweller up against a start-studded perennial favorite. In case you missed it, the Penguins have suffered numerous injuries and suspensions throughout the season, including Kris Letang's stroke and James Neal's multiple dirty play suspensions. Yet, in spite all of this, the Penguins have managed to win their division. Imagine that. The reason for that is a secret to no one, as the Penguins not only have a great supply of talent at the top, they've had great play from their lesser known players, such as Olli Maata, Matt Niskanen, and Jussi Jokinen. The good news for Pens fans is that their team is entirely healthy at exactly the right time, which is pretty terrible news for the Blue Jackets. Despite Columbus's respectable play down the stretch, they will need goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, last year's Vezina winner, to play exceptionally well, as they are simply outgunned.
The Blue Jackets aren't completely without an offensive star, with 21 year-old star Ryan Johansen producing at a point-per-game pace, buoying up the production of Boone Jenner and Mark Letetsu. And they have a freaking cannon in their arena! How cool is that? While I'd typically go with the team with the better goaltender (Sorry Marc-Andre Fleury, 2009 was a long time ago), a healthy Pens squad is too strong a force for the Jackets. Can these guys ever catch a break?
BIG EDGE - PENGUINS
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks
Last 7: Stars (5-2-0) Ducks (3-2-2)
Notable Injuries: DAL Rich Peverley (C)
Can the Ducks win another one for the Finnish Flash?
This could quite easily be the closest, most exciting matchup of the first round. With Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry clashing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin going head to head, what's not to love?Apparently, not too much, as it's been rated the matchup fans are least excited to watch (well, at least according to /r/hockey). Granted, there are some heavyweight matchups in the first round, this one should delight as well. But I digress, on to the breakdown!
The goaltender quality in this matchup is pretty exciting. Kari Lehtonen for the Stars has been excellent this year, while Anderson starts first for Anaheim, as Hiller has struggled of late. Andersen has been very good when called upon, but is unproven.
I should also mention the Stars have a cause around which to rally their forces, the traumatic cardiac event of teammate Rich Peverley. The emotional aspect of sports is never to be underestimated. While the Ducks are quite possibly the most consistent team in league, and would love to win a cup for Teemu Selanne in his last Stanley Cup run, I like the Stars chances to give the Ducks a run here. Goaltending trumps all.
SLIGHT EDGE - STARS
Well, there you have it folks. For those curious as to what Vegas thinks about tonight's games, as of this writing they have Tampa Bay (-125) with a slight edge over Montreal (+105), Pittsburgh (-200) as a huge favorite over Columbus (+170) , and Anaheim (-155) significantly favored over Dallas (+140).
For those into daily fantasy, I'd take Fleury as your goaltender, and all Dallas players, peppering in Montreal players where they fit.
Thanks for reading and let's hope for some great hockey tonight!
-Jay Willy
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