NHL Playoffs Round 1: The Other Series
The National Hockey League’s 2024-25 post-season began on Saturday with a pair of contests and will slowly build up with another three matches on Sunday. To give AIH members a place to discuss the non-Winnipeg Jets series, I figured I would briefly outline the other seven match ups in this article.
Since most of the media keeps their focus mainly on the East Coast, I opted for a different route to begin out West.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10) hosting the #7 Minnesota Wild (45-30-7)
BOJA’s Pick: The Knights are a very dangerous team and I just don’t think the Wild have it in them to mount a big upset. All I hope is that Minnesota takes a physical toll and draws the series out as long as they can. Vegas in 5.
Former Jets in the Series: Only former Manitoba Moose star Declan Chisholm for the Wild.
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#3 Dallas Stars (50-26-6) hosting the #5 Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4)
BOJA’s Pick: The Stars entered the playoffs on a 7 game losing streak and are really in tough against the Avalanche, even without injuries to key players like Jason Robertson & Miro Heiskanen. Dallas did much better than expected in Game 1, but still ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. This could be a sweep, but I think the Stars steal one or two from the Avs. Colorado in 5.
Former Jets in the Series: The only player is the Avalanche’s long-term injured defenseman, Tucker Poolman.
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#4 Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9) hosting the #6 Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5)
BOJA’s Pick: For the second straight season, these two franchises will clash in the opening round. Both teams could be considered Stanley Cup favourites, so the series should be a great one to watch. Masterful defense versus high-powered offense. The Oilers’ snipers won it for them last year, but I am betting on the Kings’ defensive play to take them to the 2nd round this season. Los Angeles in 7.
Former Jets in the Series: A trio of former Winnipeggers with Edmonton’s injured Evander Kane facing off against depth forward Jeff Malott and backup goalie David Rittich.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Washington Capitals (51-22-9) hosting the #8 Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11)
BOJA’s Pick: While I believe that the Caps are not as good as their record indicates, I am not sure Montreal is strong enough to upset them in the 1st round. I do expect the Canadiens to win a game or two though, especially if they can get quality goaltending. Washington in 6.
Former Jets in the Series: Another series with three former Jets involved, with the Capital’s Pierre-Luc Dubois squaring off against the Habs’ Patrick Laine & Joel Armia.
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#2 Toronto Maple Leafs (52-26-4) hosting the #6 Ottawa Senators (45-30-7)
BOJA’s Pick: The Leafs tendency to choke in the 1st round may tempt some to pick against them in a series versus the Senators, but I am not one of those. I think Toronto has enough talent and a good enough system to deal with the inspired Ottawa team…as long as their goaltending stays at the level they’ve received all season. The Sens have a top-notch tender at the other end, so a series steal isn’t impossible. Maple Leafs in 6.
Former Jets in the Series: No former Winnipeggers involved.
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#3 Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8) hosting the #5 Florida Panthers (47-31-4)
BOJA’s Pick: One of the toughest series to pick…the defending Cup Champs versus a team led by a coach that has won that trophy too. Since I don’t get to watch these squads often enough, I will have to rely on the stats to tell me which way to go. Tampa Bay in 7.
Former Jets in the Series: The Lightning have no former Manitobans, but the Panthers have coach Paul Maurice and defensemen Dmitri Kulikov & Nate Schmidt.
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#4 Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5) hosting the #7 New Jersey Devils (42-33-7)
BOJA’s Pick: Another tough call due to the lack of games watched, but with New Jersey dealing with an injury to the main Hughes brother and the advanced numbers favouring the Hurricanes, that is the way I am leaning. Carolina in 6.
Former Jets in the Series: The Canes have former Jet Jack Roslovic on their roster, though it appears he may be a healthy scratch for Gm 1. The Devils defense is 33% former Winnipeggers, with a pair of physical defensemen in Brenden Dillon & Jonathan Kovacevic.
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Feel free to share your picks for the opening round in the Comment section….or possibly you’ll just save them for the AIH Playoff Bracket challenge. Not sure how many AIH’ers will be watching the other action of the NHL first playoff round, but if we do, now we have a place to make any observations that come to us. Enjoy the chase of the Stanley Cup....
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