By: Chris Nosek

Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning (Round 1 – Game 7)

Just like every other game in this series, it was crazy, intense, and close. However, the biggest news from this series is that the Tampa Bay Lightning are no longer guaranteed the advantage in net. Jakub Dobes allowed only three high-danger goals over the entire series, giving him a 3.13 goals saved above expected. His goals-against average was only 1.63, and his save percentage was .934 for the series! Vasilevskiy played well, but he allowed a few weak goals over the series and wasn’t the difference maker Tampa Bay needed him to be. We may also find out what kept Victor Hedman out of the series, but his loss was ABSOLUTELY felt on the blue line.

The Montreal Canadiens were never able to get much going offensively tonight, as they set the record for fewest shots on goal in a playoff victory – with NINE. This is a major reason the biggest takeaway from this series for Tampa Bay needs to be Andrei Vasilevskiy’s play. While he’s only 31 years old, he has played almost 600 regular-season games and 126 playoff games, not counting several overtime games. There are a few details in his game that just aren’t at the level they used to be. Right now, it remains to be seen if this is his new normal as age and injuries catch up to him, or if it was just a down year for him and the team.

One thing is for certain – the offseason for the Tampa Bay Lightning WILL be a must-watch. Expect some key changes as their lack of high-end drafting talent continues to catch up with them.

Original Prediction: Montreal Canadiens advance in 7 games
Prediction after game 1: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 3: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 4: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 5: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 6: Montreal Canadiens advance in 7 games
Result: Montreal Canadiens advance in 7 games

Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche (Round 2 – Game 1)
Colorado leads series 1-0

This was a solid onslaught of offense, with a final tally of 15 goals scored. Despite the injuries, the Wild proved they can put goals on the board against this Colorado defense. They capitalized on their 11 high-danger chances, scoring 5 goals. However, defensively, they struggled. They gave Colorado 16 high-danger chances, allowing them to capitalize on 7. However, a positive takeaway for Minnesota is that they were down 3-0 early in the game and fought back to take a 5-3 lead. That should give them confidence as they make adjustments for the rest of the series. They will be able to take Monday off and come back on Tuesday with a better expectation of what they will see from Colorado… I still don’t believe they will have enough to win the series. If the Avs can continue to score at this pace, we may have to re-evaluate the “in 6 games” part of the prediction, but for now, I still think the Wild can hand the Avs their first playoff loss of the year at some point in this series.

Prediction Entering Matchup: Colorado Avalanche advance in 6 games
Prediction after Game One: Colorado Avalanche advance in 6 games