By: Chris Nosek

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are starting to pass the tests to determine whether or not they are the same team we’ve seen in years past. There is a clear difference in their overall game and attitude and it’s showing on the ice. Joseph Woll was great in the absence of Anthony Stolarz and will continue to settle in the crease the more he plays. Coming into the season, the Leafs added players who have had deep playoff runs and Craig Berube to lead their bench. The experience in the playoffs is now showing in spaces. Max Pacioretty is showing to be one of the most valuable players this post season, and the team isn’t losing its confidence or composure – regardless of the antics of the Panthers. If they can keep this up a sweep would be possible, but the Panthers are just bound to fight back for some games. Now that the series is shifting back to Florida, I’d expect a major pushback from the Panthers. Even though we’re only two games in, I now believe the Leafs not only can but will take this series. I believe they can do it in only five games – and quite frankly, after the antics of Sam Bennett, I hope they do.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

Another low scoring game during which the Hurricanes threw a lot of pucks at the net. Between the two games, though, Alex Ovechkin only has four shots on goal. The worry I would have for the Capitals is that they’ve had another period of only five shots on goal or fewer. Including the overtime in game one, the Capitals are averaging only five shots per period. They are extremely lucky to be tied in the series as it shifts to Carolina. I still believe Carolina will take the series and that it will go the full seven games, especially if they’re able to continue shutting down the offense of the Caps.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights

The Edmonton Oilers are crazy lucky to have won both of these games in Vegas. Winning this game in overtime after the injury McNabb suffered on a blatant missed tripping penalty is just a microcosm for their luck. I have always believe Adin Hill has been a little over rated given his full body of work, but I still believe he is better than both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Somehow, Pickard is standing tall at exactly the right moments for Edmonton and their offense is able to crack the defense of the Golden Knights late in the game. The Golden Knights severely missed Alex Pietrangelo and Pavel Dorofeyev. They got Pietrangelo back for game two, and that was crucial for their ability to come back in the game, but their offense is greatly suffering from the absence of Dorofeyev. Vegas will look to push back in game three, but if they still don’t have Dorofeyev they don’t stand a chance for a full series comeback. At this point, I would expect the Oilers to seal this up in five (maybe six) games and get some rest while they wait for the winner of the Jets and Stars series.

Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets

We knew the Jets would find as much push back as they could muster. However, if you were to tell the Stars they would leave Winnipeg with a split they would probably have taken it. The boost for Connor Hellebuyck after posting the shutout could be unmeasurable. The Jets have a full compliment of players that they can utilize to match up against the Stars while the Stars are still missing their top defenseman, Miro Heiskanen. The Stars still have the ability to win this series, but the boost the Jets have from their first round victory and now the shutout will help the Jets come home from the two games in Dallas with at least another split.