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CanuckJohnny · 07-27-2023, 08:00 PM

2015 NHL PLAYOFFS

Round 1 Summary

In the West, Chicago cleanly swept Colorado. The Avs put up a solid resistance in game two but lost in overtime and could never find any momentum against the best team in the regular season. Chicago will move on to face Nashville in round 2 as the Preds handled a strong Blues squad that gave them some trouble, especially dynamic offensive defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk who had eight points, in six games. Nashville ran with Carter Hutton, as they have almost all year (and been rewarded with sixteen regular season shutouts), until he allowed five goals in game five and the Blues were within striking distance. Rinne came in in relief that game and then started and won game six. Who will have the crease in round two against the vaunted Blackhawks offense that has Patrick Kane returning to the lineup?

Minnesota looks to have an easy route assigned it by fortune, going through the easier Pacific Division due to the Wild Card playoff arrangement. They took Vancouver out in six games, going with the less experienced but equally skilled Darcy Kuemper in net over veteran Nicklas Backstrom. Yeo was criticized at the outset of the series for the decision but he has been vindicated. In the 'battle of mediocrity' San Jose swept Anaheim, who barely put up a fight. At times Ryan Kesler looked like the only Duck who was trying. The Sharks will face the Wild in round two, and though they have home ice advantage because of the format, the Wild had 19 more regular season points than them. Minnesota should waltz to a conference finals date with the other clear favourite in the West, Chicago.

Detroit was the most dominant team in the East, but they struggled a bit against eighth seed Washington. In the end Detroit's depth and scoring was apparent as they defeated the Capitals in six games. Alex Ovechkin was not a huge factor, taking until game five to score his first of the series. Deadline acquisition Keith Yandle came as advertised, providing two goals and four assists in the series. Boston was arguably the third best team in the conference for most of the year, but they were upset in a fairly even series with Tampa Bay. Boston boasted more firepower and had great performances from Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci and Krug but Tampa played a great team game and hung in there in the back and forth series, eventually taking the decisive game seven on the road 3-2, with youngster Brett Connolly scoring the winner (his third goal of the series). The Lightning will have an even tougher test ahead of them with Detroit, but if Ben Bishop can keep them alive in net and they pull off another upset it would be quite the underdog story.

Pittsburgh had little trouble with the Devils, dispatching them in five games. Jagr's run was ended by his old team, and Pittsburgh comes into round two as a strong favourite to move ahead to the conference finals. They will face an Islanders club that barely staved off a Flyers comeback from down 3-0 in their series. John Tavares carries the Islanders to any success they have offensively and Jaroslav Halak can have some big games, but don't think they're going to be any match for a loaded Penguins team that hasn't even been challenged yet.

07-27-2023, 08:00 PM	#40
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	2015 NHL PLAYOFFS Round 1 Summary In the West, Chicago cleanly swept Colorado. The Avs put up a solid resistance in game two but lost in overtime and could never find any momentum against the best team in the regular season. Chicago will move on to face Nashville in round 2 as the Preds handled a strong Blues squad that gave them some trouble, especially dynamic offensive defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk who had eight points, in six games. Nashville ran with Carter Hutton, as they have almost all year (and been rewarded with sixteen regular season shutouts), until he allowed five goals in game five and the Blues were within striking distance. Rinne came in in relief that game and then started and won game six. Who will have the crease in round two against the vaunted Blackhawks offense that has Patrick Kane returning to the lineup? Minnesota looks to have an easy route assigned it by fortune, going through the easier Pacific Division due to the Wild Card playoff arrangement. They took Vancouver out in six games, going with the less experienced but equally skilled Darcy Kuemper in net over veteran Nicklas Backstrom. *Yeo* was criticized at the outset of the series for the decision but he has been vindicated. In the 'battle of mediocrity' San Jose swept Anaheim, who barely put up a fight. At times Ryan Kesler looked like the only Duck who was trying. The Sharks will face the Wild in round two, and though they have home ice advantage because of the format, the Wild had 19 more regular season points than them. Minnesota should waltz to a conference finals date with the other clear favourite in the West, Chicago. Detroit was the most dominant team in the East, but they struggled a bit against eighth seed Washington. In the end Detroit's depth and scoring was apparent as they defeated the Capitals in six games. Alex Ovechkin was not a huge factor, taking until game five to score his first of the series. Deadline acquisition Keith Yandle came as advertised, providing two goals and four assists in the series. Boston was arguably the third best team in the conference for most of the year, but they were upset in a fairly even series with Tampa Bay. Boston boasted more firepower and had great performances from Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci and Krug but Tampa played a great team game and hung in there in the back and forth series, eventually taking the decisive game seven on the road 3-2, with youngster Brett Connolly scoring the winner (his third goal of the series). The Lightning will have an even tougher test ahead of them with Detroit, but if Ben Bishop can keep them alive in net and they pull off another upset it would be quite the underdog story. Pittsburgh had little trouble with the Devils, dispatching them in five games. Jagr's run was ended by his old team, and Pittsburgh comes into round two as a strong favourite to move ahead to the conference finals. They will face an Islanders club that barely staved off a Flyers comeback from down 3-0 in their series. John Tavares carries the Islanders to any success they have offensively and Jaroslav Halak can have some big games, but don't think they're going to be any match for a loaded Penguins team that hasn't even been challenged yet.