After a qualifying round that included a number of surprising results, the National Hockey League will open the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the league to play an expanded 24-team playoff format, with games in front of no fans and with teams sequestered in Edmonton and Toronto, but as was proven last week, the impact of players rising to the occasion quality of the hockey overall was unaffected.
In an unprecedented postseason with no home-ice advantage, each of the 16 teams have a chance to make a run for a championship depending on whether things fall in the right place and their key contributors become difference makers.
Latest NHL News
- Carey Price Unlikely To Play Upcoming Season for Canadiens
- Team USA Team Fall Short of Medal Expectations at World Juniors
- Nazem Kadri Signs With The Calgary Flames
- NHL Rumors: San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals
- Team USA Relentless Forecheck Paying Dividends
Here are some players who could be the X-factor for their club in the playoffs:
(3) Washington Capitals vs. (7) New York Islanders
The Islanders took out of the Florida Panthers in the qualifying round with solid goaltending from Semyon Varlamov and some better than expected offensive success from a Barry Trotz coached club that scored only 192 goals during the regular season. The question is whether that was a result of New York rising to the occasion or because of the Panthers hapless defense.
Anthony Beauvillier and pesky Jean-Gabriel Pageau led the Isles with three goals, but against the high-powered Washington offense, they will need more production from leading scorers Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, who combined for one goal in the Panthers series.
Washington scored only five goals in the round-robin without leading scorer John Carlson in the lineup and the Norris Trophy nominee will be a game-time decision for Game 1. The absence of Carlson would not only deprive the Capitals of a top-pairing defenseman who averaged over 24 minutes per game but their power-play quarterback that led the club in power play points with 26.
(2) Colorado Avalanche vs. (11) Arizona Coyotes
The Avalanche have one of the best offenses in the NHL, led by center Nathan MacKinnon, wingers Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, and Calder Trophy nominee Cale Makar, but the key to Colorado making a long run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be if they can get secondary offense from outside their core group.
Nazem Kadri led the club with four points during the round robin and will need to continue to be an offensive threat to take some of the burden off of MacKinnon while avoiding his checkered postseason penchant for suspensions. Andre Burakovsky (who reached the 20-goal mark for the first time) and Joonas Donskoi will also have to continue chipping in.
Arizona was a different club during the regular season with Darcy Kuemper in goal and with their starter back for the postseason, the Coyotes were able to pull off the upset on Nashville.
Kuemper posted a .933 save percentage in the series victory over the Preds and will need to continue to play at that level to past the Avs, but will also need to get offense from Clayton Keller, Taylor Hall, and veteran Phil Kessel, who each had four points against Nashville.
(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (12) Montreal Canadiens
The stunning upset of Pittsburgh in qualifying round was more than just Carey Price standing on his head, it was the Habs playing disciplined defense in front of the All-Star goaltender (who allowed just seven goals in four games against the Penguins) and getting just enough offense to win.
Veteran blueliners Shea Weber and Jeff Petry averaged more than 25 minutes per game and accounted for nearly half of Montreal’s offense in the series victory, which means that Claude Julien will have to get more contributions from Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault and Max Domi, who were the club’s top three scorers during the regular season and combined for just two points in the qualifying round.
Philadelphia went 3-0 and allowed only three goals in the round-robin, earning the top seed in the East. Head coach Alain Vigneault will rely heavily on goalie Carter Hart, defenseman Ivan Provorov and leading scorers Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux, the Flyers chances of making an extended run may depend on getting offensive contributions from players such as Scott Laughton.
Laughton scored a career-high 13 goals during the regular season and led Philly with five points, providing them with scoring depth up the middle after Couturier and Kevin Hayes.
(4) St. Louis Blues vs. (7) Vancouver Canucks
As with the Boston Bruins in the East, the St. Louis Blues appeared to be looking forward to games that would count during the round-robin, losing all three games and finishing with the fourth seed.
The Stanley Cup champs will rely on their core group of Alex Pietrangelo, goalie Jordan Binnington, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly and sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, but to return to the Final they will also need youngsters like Robert Thomas and Zach Sanford to continue to grow. Thomas scored 42 points in his sophomore season and Sanford posted a career-high 16 goals in 58 regular season games.
Vancouver’s ample offensive firepower and goalie Jacob Markstrom were the primary reasons for the Canucks four-game series victory over Minnesota. Calder Trophy nominee Quinn Hughes led the way with six points and Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat each had four points. Head coach Travis Green has strength up the middle with Pettersson and Horvat, but with winger Tyler Toffoli out to start the series, the onus will be on JT Miller and Brock Boeser to pick up the slack.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
Ep 245: AFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Ian and John discuss Maurice Jones-Drew's list of Top 10 quarterbacks/pass […]
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
Ian and John discuss FPC Chiefs Managing Editor Braden Holecek's Top 5 […]
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Aaron Rodgers Addresses Early Camp Struggles for WRsby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Ian and John discuss some bumps in the road at Packers camp as Aaron […]
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers comments about the young wide receiver […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA's decision to retire Bill Russell's "#6" […]
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kevin Durant power move and the similarities […]
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the pair of NFL preseason games from Thursday and […]
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams impending retirement, Kevin Durant, […]
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams' career and impending retirement as […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
8/19 - Deshaun Watson Suspension; Concern About Tom Brady's Absenceby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2022 at 1:46 pm
-
(Season 2.7) Preseason Preview: Commanders vs. Chiefs w/ Braden Holecek of FPC Chiefsby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2022 at 12:16 am
-
Ep 50: Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games, Fined $5 Millionby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 5:03 pm
-
Episode 99: Save the (Roquan) Drama for Your Mamaby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 3:14 am
-
(Season 2.6): Fantasy Football Live! w/ Kyle Senra, Manny Chokuba, and Ryanby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 2:40 am
-
Ep. 197 - Did LeBron Just Sign His Last NBA Contract?by Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 9:35 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers Addresses Early Camp Struggles for WRsby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 5:12 pm
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm