By: Chris Nosek

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers (PHI leads 3-`0)

Of all the series, this is the one that seems to have fans complaining the most. It is all coming from the Pittsburgh side of the aisle. The Penguins aren’t playing well. They’re too focused on being more physical than the Flyers, and their defense isn’t playing well. It doesn’t help that their best players – Crosby, Letang, Karlsson, and Malkin – account for 34 of the team’s 84 penalty minutes, and 10 of the 22 they got in game three. Karlsson is also responsible for giving up a penalty shot as well. Many of the team’s penalties are unforced, if not outright stupid. Crosby ABSOLUTELY deserved the embellishment call in here in game three. Meanwhile, a call for unsportsmanlike conduct on Letang in games three and four, and four misconducts in game two, are just absolutely unforced errors – not to mention the too many men penalty in game two as well.

Plain and simple, the Penguins are playing into the hands of the Flyers every step of the way. For as much as they’re setting themselves back, they don’t have a goaltender who can save them, and they don’t have the depth – especially on the blueline – to remain competitive when their top guys are in the box.

As far as Konecny not getting a penalty for trying to kick Rust – there were several scrums on the ice, and the official breaking the two of them up wasn’t looking down at Konecny’s feet. I’m sure DPOS will at least review it – it’s the playoffs, expect a fine.

As said before, Sidney Crosby ABSOLUTELY deserved the embellishing call. Yes, he was high-sticked by Hathaway. That got called. Maybe it wouldn’t have if Crosby hadn’t gone down, but he acted like the hit had removed his eye from its socket. This was textbook embellishment as defined by rule 64.1, regardless of what Crosby or Dan Muse had to say post-game.

Original Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Pittsburgh Penguins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 4 games
New Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 4 games

Dallas Stars @ Minnesota Wild (DAL leads 2-1)

This marathon game was likely a microcosm of the series as a whole. In both games two and three, the Stars were able to jump out to a lead in the first period. However, in neither game were they able to hold onto said lead. The Wild are playing into the hands of the Stars, who are looking to make this a battle of special teams. The best shooters for the Wild aren’t getting enough of their shots through to Oettinger, while Wallstedt is only getting beaten on really tough chances and hasn’t been nearly as “leaky.”

I would fully expect the Wild to respond in their second home game of the series. If Dallas takes game four in Minnesota, then this series is just about over. However, the Wild have too much talent not to put up a fight to make this a series. I don’t see a goaltender switch for Minnesota, but if they lose game four, it could be a move to try to shake things up as they head back to Dallas.

Original Prediction: Dallas Stars advance in 7 games
Prediction after game 1: Minnesota advances in 7 games
Prediction after game 2: Minnesota advances in 7 games
New Prediction: Dallas advances in 6 games

Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers (Series tied at 1)

After dropping game one, the Ducks really came out determined not only to continue showing they belong in the playoffs, but also to prove they can, in fact, defeat this Oilers team. They again managed to keep McDavid pointless in this game and held the Oilers to 4 goals for a second time. This season, when scoring 4 goals or fewer, the Oilers went 21-39, with a 6-10 record in overtime or shootouts. This is in stark contrast to their 20-2 record in games that they scored 5 or more goals, with only 4 of those games going into extra time.

It looks like Joel Quenneville is making a major effort to contain Connor McDavid. Just about every time he is on the ice, the Ducks have their pairing of Jacob Trouba and Jackson Lacombe on the ice as well. The Ducks are also taking advantage of the power play. The Ducks’ depth is showing as their talent runs deeper into their lineup. Meanwhile, the Oilers aren’t getting anything from McDavid, while Draisaitl has only been able to post three assists and one goal.

The series is now shifting to Anaheim, where it’s not unreasonable to see another two-game split. The biggest question is, just how long can the Ducks hold Connor McDavid at bay? There will be questions about the health of McDavid heading into game three, as it looked like he rolled his right ankle at one point, but barring such an injury severely limiting his ability to skate, I’m sure it only motivates him to end the series sooner.

Original Prediction: Anaheim Ducks advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Edmonton Oilers advance in 6 games
New Prediction: Edmonton Oilers advance in 6 games