The Nashville Predators are going to have their hands full in the first round of the National Hockey League playoffs as they take on the Chicago Blackhawks.
Is the Pen Mightier than the Jacket? Keeping a fanbase happy is important, but weighing the value of keeping fans happy on a game-by-game basis versus keeping them happy with a potential Stanley Cup run leads to the clear conclusion that a Stanley Cup victory is all that truly matters.
The Ottawa Senators have been missing some players down the stretch, but Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports that mostly all hands should be on deck as the playoffs get started. He had 19 points in the postseason previous year as Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career and first since 2009.
But as the Chicago Blackhawks gear towards a fourth Stanley Cup in eight years with six staple players who have been through all of it youre left to wonder: If they win this year, are they more accomplished than the five-time champion Oilers and four-time champion Islanders?
April 6, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Ryan Dzingel (18) and Boston Bruins right wing David Backes (42) battle for a loose puck during the second period at TD Garden. Here is an overview of the first round, including a few worthy series price and futures betting recommendations for the opening round.
Last week, Moore was giddily trying to determine whether it was better to have two Canadian teams meet in the first round - because it guaranteed one advancing - before eventually concluding it didn't matter.
The Oilers, meanwhile, will face a San Jose Sharks team that goes up against their former coach, Todd McLellan, who now is the Edmonton bench boss. "I think this team is more concentrated right now on getting success in the second season than in the first".
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators: With Keith, Kane and Toews still in the lineup, the 'Hawks are still a threat to win it all.
Rex Tillerson: Trust between U.S. and Russian Federation at a 'low'
The US claims the strike destroyed 20% of Syria's operational aircraft, a figure disputed by Russia's Defense Ministry. Syria's government has denied responsibilty and has claimed the chemicals were stored on the ground by rebels.
With all 82 games in the books, the standings are final and the National Hockey League playoffs are set to begin.
This is a team that understands winning and has a chance to make more history this playoff season. Before it costs them in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is a great team at home with a 24-9-8 record but has the worst road record of any postseason team at 17-20-4. At the trade deadline, the Capitals acquired star defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues to further bolster their blue line. Will they? Well, the playoffs are volatile and cruel, and one hot goalie for a couple of days can ruin your Cup hopes, as some Caps fans might remember all too well. They went 26-10-5 at home this season. Score: 3-2. On one end, an empty net.
The Bruins are down a pair of defensemen to open their series with the Senators.
The Sharks claim Logan Couture, wearing a cage to protect a facial injury, will play in Game 1 while Joe Thornton, having wrenched his leg late in the season, could play as well.
Adding to the feeling that this series might be viewed as an analytical coin flip are expected goals for and against per 60 minutes, a metric that considers the shot type, distance and angle, as well as whether it came off the rush or a rebound.
Hartman, Tanner Kero, Nick Schmaltz and John Hayden are the rookie forwards Chicago will use in Game 1. Nevertheless, the stage is set with four series out west.
The Capitals are 4-6 in the last 10 contests when they were playing the second of back-to-back games, according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
No Canadian team has won the Cup since Montreal in 1993. We know we all will pick the correct Stanley Cup champ and we can all celebrate that together at the parade down High Street in June.
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