NHL Playoffs Week One Update

With the NHL Playoffs in full swing and Dustin James finally paying me in green, every Tuesday here at The USB, I’ll be bringing you your weekly NHL Playoffs update. GAME ON!

Dallas Stars lead Minnesota Wild 2-1

Recap: Minnesota is missing their best player, Zach Parise, and have struggled to score goals, losing game one 4-0 and game two 2-1. They finally came alive game three, scoring five goals and overcoming an early 2-0 hole.

Momentum: Minnesota was down 0-2 to the Colorado Avalanche two years ago and ended up winning that series in seven. This Stars team is better than that Avs team, but health is a concern as Kris Russell and Tyler Seguin missed game three. The Wild have the momentum for now,

Looking Ahead: Minnesota played well in game two, but just had a fluky bounce go against them and they finally found a scoring touch in game three. I don’t think it continues though. They’re even more banged up than Dallas and the Stars are simply a better team.

St. Louis Blues lead Chicago Blackhawks 2-1

Recap: Each game has been a one-goal game, which goes to show just how evenly matched these two teams are. Both goaltenders have played well and it’s been a tight checking, physical series. Also, replays.

Momentum: The Blues have it. After the Blackhawks were able to steal home-ice, the Blues took game three in Chicago with two third period goals. The return of Duncan Keith has helped the Blackhawks, but Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have yet to score and they’re relying far too much on their defense.

Looking Ahead: The Blackhawks are too good to just roll over. They’ll likely take game four and turn this into a three game series. The Blues are better than they’ve been in the past, but the Blackhawks have won Cups for a reason. Expect more of what you’ve seen in the first three games.

Nashville Predators lead Anaheim Ducks 2-0

Recap: Nashville won both games 3-2, making Steve Cook extremely happy. Shea Weber and Roman Jose have been fantastic while Anaheim’s stars have yet to show, thanks in large part to Weber and Josi.

Momentum: The Predators took both games on the road and now go home up 2-0. They’ve never had a 2-0 lead in franchise history and now they’re the club with the pressure. The Preds have all the momentum and are forcing the Ducks to play their game right now.

Looking Ahead: Anaheim will be hard pressed to take two games in Nashville, especially if Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf don’t show up. The Ducks will take at least one in Nashville, but the Preds defense is too good to let two games slip. Then it just becomes a matter of whether or not the Preds can close them out up 3-1.

San Jose Sharks lead Los Angeles Kings 2-1

Recap: Joe Pavelski dominated the first two games, scoring three goals, while Martin Jones stifled his former team and Jonathan Quick was just average. The Kings finally found life in game three as Quick was back to awesome and Tanner Pearson scored in OT.

Momentum: Despite losing the last game in OT, the Sharks still have momentum. Game four is in their building and they’re the best road team in the league.

Looking Ahead: This series is designed to go seven. Both teams are evenly matched and it really comes down to which goaltender plays better which star can step up. I expect more close games that are decided by one play.

New York Islanders lead Florida Panthers 2-1

Recap: The Islanders won a wild game won, the Panthers settled back down to take game two, then the Panthers blew game three and lost in OT. This series has had a little bit of everything for the fans.

Momentum: The Islanders have all of it. Down 3-1 in game three, they stormed back and won in OT. OT wins are huge momentum swingers and doing it in comeback fashion is even bigger. Plus, game four is in New York.

Looking Ahead: The Panthers are down 2-1, but they’ve played well in every game. Roberto Luongo has to be better, and I think he will be, while Jaromir Jagr needs to step up as well. The Islanders were up 2-1 on the Capitals last year, winning game three in OT, and blew it so Florida has recent history to feel good about.

Tampa Bay Lightning lead Detroit Red Wings 2-1

Recap: Jimmy Howard wasn’t good in game one and two so the Red Wings went with Peter Mrazek in game three and he earned a shutout. Tyler Johnson continues to be a playoff monster and the Lightning haven’t missed Steven Stamkos thus far.

Momentum: The Wings goalie change gave them some momentum as Mrazek blanked the Lightning, but Tampa Bay only managed 19 shots so it probably didn’t matter who the goalie was. The Lightning won’t play that bad again.

Looking Ahead: Unless Mrazek comes up huge, this is still Tampa Bay’s series. Even without Stamkos, they have too much firepower for the Wings to contain on a game-to-game basis.

Washington Capitals lead Philadelphia Flyers 3-0

Recap: The Caps are really good. The Flyers are not. Philly fans gonna Philly.

Momentum: All Washington. Even when the Flyers were playing well in game two, one shot from 200 feet away changed everything. The Flyers can’t solve Braden Holtby and they can’t stop the Caps offense.

Looking Ahead: Sweep.

Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers tied 1-1

Recap: The Penguins used a Henrik Lundqvist injury to their advantage in game one, scoring three goals on Antti Raanta. Lundqvist was back for game two and the Rangers took advantage of Pittsburgh’s back-up.

Momentum: The Rangers took home ice with their game two victory and until Marc-Andre Fleury returns for Pittsburgh, the Rangers will have momentum.

Looking Ahead: The Penguins have the firepower to match New York. But with Ryan McDonagh returning for the Rangers and Fleury still out, they’re fighting an uphill battle.