The Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally starting to feel like normal hockey again. We can finally say bye to those bubbles and empty arenas, as we start seeing near full capacity crowds, and in the Canadiens’ and Jets’ case, we’re starting to see crowds, which alone, is a big step forward.
There is nothing more fun than watching your team move on from round to round and get closer to winning the cup. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. But with Round 2 in full swing, it also means it’s getting closer to ending and for Round 3 to start.
The format is different this season, so after Round 2 is over, the remaining four teams will be reseeded based on their regular-season standings and the first seed will play the fourth seed while the second will face off against the third.
North Division
The Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets will be facing off tonight in the first of two back-to-back games in Montreal. The Canadiens took a 2-0 lead on the road and will be looking to end this round as soon as possible, before Mark Scheifele has a chance to come back and change the entire momentum. The Canadiens are focused on one thing and that is winning, but it is, nonetheless a very close series, after all, Game 2 was won by one shorthanded goal.
If the Jets manage to adjust, it could mean a longer and even closer series between those two teams, but the Canadiens have to prevent them from adjusting, either by changing up their system or just keep doing what they’re doing but better.
Those two back-to-back games will mean a lot. It could either end with the series being tied 2-2, the Canadiens leading 3-1, or the Jets being eliminated. A lot is at stake here and soon enough, we’ll see who’s better prepared for it.
East Division
The New York Islanders and Boston Bruins are now tied 2-2 and heading to Boston for Game 5 tomorrow. It has been a tight and physical series so far, and the rest is not expected to be anything less than that.
With the Islanders winning Game 4 last night, they have forced a Game 6 and one last chance to play at the Nassau Coliseum before moving to Belmont Park Arena next season.
Central Division
The Tampa Bay Lightning leads the series 3-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, so tomorrow will be an elimination game. Both teams have been playing well, but the Lightning has the clear advantage with their powerplay, which has been remarkable. Their powerplay was 3/6 yesterday, and ultimately won them the game 6-4, just like it has been doing this entire series.
West Division
The Colorado Avalanche leads the series 2-1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Although the first game made it seem like it was over for Vegas, the next two have shown just the opposite. This is, and will probably keep on being, a close series, and while all the odds point to the Avalanche winning it, the Golden Knights can’t be counted out just yet. Everyone knows just how much they like winning Game 7’s.
The Canadiens and Jets will be facing off at 6 p.m. EST tonight, while the Avalanche and Golden Knights are expected to play at 8:30 p.m. EST.
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