The initial field of 16 teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been narrowed down to just eight after the completion of the first round. The second round is scheduled to commence on Monday, highlighted by a matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can the Panthers sustain their playoff momentum, or will their Eastern Conference journey conclude here?
NHL Playoffs Second Round Preview
Western Conference
Intriguing series are set in the Western Conference. The Dallas Stars advanced following a thrilling seven-game series victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Dallas sealed the win in Game 7 with a comeback in the third period, propelled by a significant offensive performance from players like Mikko Rantanen against his former team. Head coach Peter DeBoer maintained his remarkable undefeated record in Game 7 scenarios. The Stars are now slated to face the Winnipeg Jets.
The Winnipeg Jets, who earned the Presidents` Trophy for the best regular-season record, survived a tough challenge from the St. Louis Blues, also requiring seven games. Game 7 of the Jets-Blues series was a classic, decided in double overtime after Winnipeg forced the extra period with two late goals in regulation. The home team remarkably won every game in that series. Winnipeg aims to become the first team since the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks to capture both the Presidents` Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. The Jets had the upper hand against the Stars during their regular-season contests.
The other Western Conference series pits the Vegas Golden Knights against the Edmonton Oilers, last year`s Western Conference finalists. Edmonton recovered from an early 2-0 deficit in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, winning four consecutive games to advance. The Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild in six games, winning the final three games after falling behind 2-1 in the series. The regular-season series between Vegas and Edmonton was evenly split at two wins apiece, with each team securing a home victory. Their games were generally high-scoring affairs. Their most recent encounter on April 1st was a close 3-2 win for the Oilers. Connor McDavid was a standout offensive performer for the Oilers in their first-round series against Los Angeles, tallying 11 points.
Eastern Conference
The reigning champions initiate the second round as the Florida Panthers travel north to face the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida had a dominant first round, eliminating their in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in just five games. Toronto advanced by defeating the Ottawa Senators in six games. The Panthers held the advantage in their regular-season series against the Maple Leafs, winning three of four matchups. The two teams split their games played in early April. Leading scorers in the first round included Sam Reinhart for the Panthers with six points and William Nylander for Toronto with nine.
The Washington Capitals, a strong contender in the East, comfortably handled the Montreal Canadiens in five games. They are now set to face the Carolina Hurricanes, who also had a swift first-round series, needing only five games to eliminate the New Jersey Devils. The regular-season meetings between Washington and Carolina were evenly split, with each team winning twice. Their last game on April 10th was a high-scoring match, with the Capitals winning 5-4 after a shootout. Dylan Strome was a key offensive contributor for the Capitals against Montreal with nine points, while Sebastian Aho led Carolina against New Jersey with eight points.
Responsible Gaming
It is crucial for individuals engaged in betting to practice responsible gaming and remain conscious of their limits. This involves betting only amounts you can afford to lose and avoiding the pursuit of losses. Many sportsbooks provide tools and resources to assist users, such as options to set limits on time or money spent. Additionally, national resources like The National Council on Problem Gaming and Gamblers Anonymous are available for support. Confidential help can also be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
