Will the Presidents’ Trophy curse be lifted?
In clinching the Presidents’ Trophy – awarded to the group with the perfect common season document – the New York Rangers now hope to interrupt the curse that purportedly jinxes its holders to playoff failure. It’s been a decade since a Presidents’ Trophy-winning group, the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks, went on to win that yr’s Stanley Cup. Are the Rangers that form of group?
The Rangers have 5 gamers – Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and Adam Fox – with greater than 60 factors this season. They rating lots on the ability play (26.4%) and are efficient on the kill (84.5%). They’re good within the faceoff circle (52.3%) and excellent in additional time (win proportion: .750). They’ll even beat you whenever you’ve obtained them beat – New York had 28 comeback wins this yr, probably the most within the league. However New York can be messy. Early in 2024, the Rangers regarded like they’d misplaced their contact, dropping seven of 10 video games via January, together with to groups comparable to San Jose and Montreal, earlier than lastly hitting a successful streak once more. One other focal point: New York’s aim differential in five-on-five conditions for the season was simply, uh … one. The Rangers will not be scared to trigger a ruckus, they usually could need to depend on energy play targets to get them via. A probable showdown with the formidable Carolina Hurricanes could await the Rangers within the second spherical – that’s, except they crash out in an upset to the Washington Capitals (who they misplaced to twice this season). The curse received’t be straightforward to interrupt.
Probably to emerge from the West
Groups comparable to Colorado, Vancouver, and Edmonton have had extra consideration this yr, however the Dallas Stars are the true remaining boss within the West. The Stars had eight forwards with 20 or extra targets, and two with 30 or extra this season, the form of depth that the majority groups – particularly those that technically rating extra, thanks to 1 or two key gamers (see: the Leafs) – can solely dream of. Mixed with stable goaltending from Jake Oettinger (.904 save proportion), the fifth-best energy play within the league, and the third-best goals-for-per-game (trailing solely Edmonton and Toronto), the Stars are a severe contender. Dallas begin the place they left off final postseason, in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights within the first spherical. Barring a repeat, the Stars would then face both Winnipeg or Colorado – neither of which might be straightforward – to get to the West remaining. However all issues thought-about, Dallas are poised to go deep.
Canada’s greatest likelihood
Again in October, the Edmonton Oilers regarded terrible. They received solely two video games via the primary month of the season. Their once-great energy play was going nowhere. Their goaltending was abysmal. And famous person captain Connor McDavid was on a multi-game scoring drought. However a training change in November proved to be a turning level. The Oilers went on a historic 16-game successful streak between the top of December and the start of February. Because the season wound down, the Oilers beat each the Avalanche and Golden Knights, however solely after a dressing-down from Dallas – a 5-0 loss that appeared to show a few of Edmonton’s lingering weaknesses, together with ineffective energy performs and a number of turnovers. Nonetheless, the Oilers, who will face LA within the first spherical, are skilled and motivated. The Oilers had been a pre-season Cup favorite – and should still be.
As for the opposite three Canadian groups, the perpetually woebegone Leafs are caught in a particular form of hockey hell the place their alternative of first-round playoff opponents is all the time both Florida males or, like this yr, guys from Boston. Possibilities of success are a stable perhaps. Vancouver’s stunning success this yr was pushed by good defence (besides on the penalty kill) and constant scoring (nearly all the time from in shut). However they don’t shoot fairly often, rating solely twenty sixth general within the league. If opponents can drive the Canucks to take penalties and maintain them away from the web, Vancouver could battle. In the meantime, the Jets are storming into the postseason on an eight-game successful streak, wanting sturdy. It’s very troublesome to attain on Winnipeg – they allowed the fewest targets of any group this season (196), however struggled to keep up self-discipline on the penalty kill. And the Jets energy play was anaemic, efficient lower than 20% of the time.
Probably to upset
The Nashville Predators got here on-line within the second half of the season, posting an eight-game successful streak via February and a six-game streak in March. Center of the pack in particular groups, the Preds can nonetheless depend on Juuse Saros between the pipes, and the commerce deadline additions of Gustav Nyquist and Jason Zucker have added depth. They might go down, nevertheless it in all probability received’t be straightforward.
Elsewhere, the Washington Capitals squeezed into the playoffs solely to search out themselves going through the Rangers. Can the Capitals make some magic occur? Something’s doable, however elements of the Caps’ sport, together with their important adverse aim differential, suggests in any other case. As for the New York Islanders, a robust season end, together with one win and one shoot-out loss to the Rangers in April, will give them hope. The plucky Islanders have turned a nook of late, however could also be undone by what number of targets they permit, regardless of a superb goaltending pair. In the meantime, the Los Angeles Kings are, just like the Jets, robust to attain on, permitting solely 206 targets in opposition to this season (third greatest general). Additionally they boast the second-best penalty kill within the NHL. LA might annoy the Oilers lots (once more) within the first spherical.
Western Convention remaining
It appears like a Dallas v Edmonton matchup could possibly be within the works, reviving a traditional rivalry.
Japanese Convention remaining
An Unique Six matchup between New York and Boston could be nice, nevertheless it’s extra possible the Hurricanes will face the Florida Panthers.
Stanley Cup remaining
The Dallas Stars win in 5 video games in opposition to the Hurricanes to clinch their second championsip. The NHL playoffs are notoriously unpredictable, however on steadiness, the Stars appear like probably the most full group heading into the postseason. Their depth, their measurement, and their starvation after being so shut so many occasions not too long ago might all mix into the appropriate championship combine.
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