Montreal Canadiens: Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Preview
Although the Montreal Canadiens-Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-round series is not over yet, the three other series will be starting this weekend.
This is mostly due to the North Division’s first round starting later than the other divisions because of the COVID-19 outbreak among the Vancouver Canucks. It delayed their games against the Calgary Flames, and forced them to finish their regular season matchups while the other divisions had already started disputing their playoff games.
North Division
The Montreal Canadiens will be playing Game 6 in Montreal on Saturday, and if they win, they’ll play Game 7 back in Toronto on Monday, to finally end the series.
The winner of this series will face the Winnipeg Jets in Round 2, who surprised everyone and swept the Edmonton Oilers.
No matter who the Jets face, it will be an interesting matchup. And although the Jets won their series in four games, I wouldn’t be surprised if the second-round matchup went to six or seven games.
Depending on whether a Game 7 will be necessary, I’m expecting the North Division’s second round to either start next Monday or Wednesday.
East Division
The Second Round matchup in the East Division will the Boston Bruins against the New York Islanders.
The Bruins won their series 4-1 against the Washington Capitals, while the Islanders won 4-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, both the Penguins and Capitals did not have the best goaltending, so this round should be a lot more different.
They will be playing Game 1 tomorrow, May 29, at 8 p.m. EST.
Central Division
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes will face off in the second round of the playoffs. I think it’s clear that the Hurricanes are the favourites in this series, but I’m expecting a pretty even matchup.
The Hurricanes and Lignting both won their series 4-2 against the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, respectively.
Game 1 of the Lightning-Hurricanes series is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, at 5 p.m. EST.
West Division
The Colorado Avalanche swept the St-Louis Blues in their first round and will face the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights-Minnesota Wild series for Round 2.
We will finally know the winner of this series tonight after they face off for Game 7.
Although the Golden Knights and Wild have been pretty even this series, I think the Golden Knights are a much more even opponent for the Avalanche, so if they win tonight, it could be a longer Round 2 series than if the Wild wins. But either way, the West Division will be fun to watch.
Game 1 of Round 2 will be on Sunday, May 30, at 8 p.m. EST.
Next. The Montreal Canadiens’ Dynamic Duo Strikes Again in Overtime. dark
This will be a busy and fun weekend for hockey lovers, and as Montreal starts to deconfine, the hockey vibe is definitely in the air for Montreal Canadiens fans who will be allowed back in the Bell Centre tomorrow and hoping for a Game 7 on Monday.