PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 22: Head Coach of the St Louis Blues Craig Berube speaks to players on his bench during the first period of his game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube condemned the racist remarks and threats directed toward Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri while speaking with the media on Wednesday ahead of Game 5 of their second-round series.
"I just want to comment on my 'no comment' the other day," Berube said. "I'm not on social media. I was aware of a threat made to Nazem. Not the racist stuff. In no way is it acceptable by the St. Louis Blues or anybody else for him to have to go through that."
Berube initially declined to comment on the situation.
Kadri, who is Muslim and of Lebanese descent, and his family have received racist and threatening comments following his collision with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of their series. Binnington suffered a lower-body injury on the accident and has been sidelined since.
According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, law enforcement have been investigating the threats and there was an increased police presence at the Avalanche's team hotel in St. Louis for Games 3 and 4 of the series.
With Binnington sidelined, the Avalanche have won Games 3 and 4 in dominant fashion. After the racist remarks toward Kadri began during Game 3, he went on to score three goals and tally an assist to help Colorado win the next game 6-3.
Kadri is one of the most talented forwards in the league and has been a solid addition to the Avalanche lineup since joining the team in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2019-20 season.
In 71 regular-season games this year, he tallied 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points. He has been just as effective in the playoffs, notching five goals and five assists for 10 points in eight games.
The Avalanche will host the Blues in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night and will aim to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a win.
Nazem Kadri's Wife Shares Screenshots of Racist Messages Avalanche Star Has Received
May 24, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Nazem Kadri #91of the Colorado Avalanche shoots against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche star Nazem Kadri remains the subject of racist online attacks after recording a hat trick in his team's 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Monday.
Jazzy Kadri, Nazem's wife, shared a collection of offensive direct messages on Instagram targeting her husband, per Mike Stephens of Sports Illustrated.
"Great game tonight, very proud of Nazem," Jazzy wrote on her Instagram story. "But I wanted to shine light on what the last 48 hours has looked like for us as a family."
Several messages referenced Kadri's Muslim faith. The 31-year-old was born in Canada and is of Lebanese descent.
The latest string of attacks began after Game 3 of Colorado's second-round matchup with the Blues. During the game, Kadri was involved in a collision with St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington that knocked him out of the game and the rest of the series.
Hockey player Akim Aliu tweeted the next day that he spoke to Kadri, who said he was the "subject to so many racist attacks and threats since last night that police had to be brought in."
The Avalanche said in a statement that they were working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.
"Unfortunately, I've been dealing with that a long time," Kadri told TNT after Monday's game (h/t Wyshynski). "That's sad to say, but I'm getting good at putting in the rearview mirror. It's a big deal. I try to act like it's not. Just try to keep moving forward."
There was an increased police presence around the team's hotel and the players' entrance ahead of Monday's game in St. Louis.
The series now returns to Colorado for Game 5 on Wednesday with the Avalanche holding a 3-1 lead.
Avalanche's Nazem Kadri Discusses Threats, Racist Comments After Binnington Injury
May 24, 2022
Colorado Avalanche's Nazem Kadri pauses during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday, May 23, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
After posting a hat trick in a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday, Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri addressed racist and threatening messages he received after an incident in Game 3.
During Colorado's 5-2 Game 3 win on Saturday, Kadri and Blues defenseman Calle Rosen crashed into Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who suffered a lower-body injury that knocked him out for the remainder of the game and the rest of the series.
Although Kadri wasn't penalized on the play or disciplined by the NHL, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported Sunday that the Avalanche were working with police in St. Louis to ensure Kadri's safety after he received threatening messages related to the Binnington injury.
After netting three goals in Colorado's Game 4 victory, Kadri said the following regarding the threats in an interview with TNT (h/t Wyshynski):
"Unfortunately, I've been dealing with that a long time. That's sad to say, but I'm getting good at putting in the rearview mirror. It's a big deal. I try to act like it's not. Just try to keep moving forward. I know those messages I got don't reflect every single fan in St. Louis. But for those that hate, [the hat trick was] for them."
Kadri, who is a Muslim of Lebanese descent, called the messages "hateful" and "extreme."
Despite the nature of the messages, Kadri said the St. Louis police assured him and made him feel safe ahead of Game 4.
Kadri also addressed comments made by Blues head coach Craig Berube, who said "Look at Kadri's reputation" when asked for his opinion on the play that injured Binnington.
Kadri said: "It started with their head coach, probably. He made some comments that I wasn't a fan of. I guess he's never heard of bulletin board material."
The 31-year-old Kadri has been suspended multiple times during his career for on-ice incidents, including an eight-game suspension during last season's playoffs for an illegal hit to Blues defenseman Justin Faulk's head.
Amid all of the controversy, Kadri rose to the occasion on Monday in a 6-3 win that gave the Avs a 3-1 series lead.
Kadri finished with three goals and one assist, marking the continuation of the career year he enjoyed during the regular season.
In 12 previous seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Avalanche, Kadri never posted more than 61 points during a single campaign, but he had 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points in 71 regular-season games this season.
Kadri was one of the top performers on a team that also got huge years out of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog and others, giving the Avs the most points in the Western Conference with 119.
Now, Kadri and the Avalanche are one win away from reaching the Western Conference Finals, which would mark Colorado's deepest playoff run since 2002.
Nazem Kadri Has 'A Game for the Ages' As Avalanche Beat Ville Husso, Blues in Game 4
May 24, 2022
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 23: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period during Game Four of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 23, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been the subject of racist threats and attacks online after he incidentally collided with St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington on a play that knocked him out for the remainder of the second-round series with a lower-body injury.
In Monday's Game 4, Kadri got some revenge by recording his first career playoff hat trick to lead the Avs to a 6-3 win to take a 3-1 series lead.
St. Louis players were noticeably targeting Kadri throughout the game. The 31-year-old didn't let it deter him as he stayed in attack mode and let his feelings be known to the St. Louis crowd.
Fans praised Kadri throughout the night for one of the best performances of his career, despite what he had to deal with on and off the ice.
— Sara 'pepcid ac lover' Civian (@SaraCivian) May 24, 2022
If Kadri gets a hat trick he should steal Husso's water bottle and whip it at Binnington in the press box.
— Berkshire.bsky.social (@AndrewBerkshire) May 24, 2022
last year—because he was suspended—Kadri wasn’t available when the Avs fell apart in the 2nd round. this year he’s been the difference for the Avs in round 2.
I don't care whether you win a Stanley Cup or how many trophies line your mantle. When racism enters your exchange with someone else on the ice, you forfeit it all. They go low. You go high @43_Kadri#Respect#HockeyIsForEveryone
St. Louis' valiant offensive performance was overshadowed by the struggles of goalie Ville Husso, who allowed four goals in the second period that pretty much decided the game.
Husso has now allowed 18 goals in five postseason appearances with four starts. Whereas St. Louis may have had a fighting chance with Binnington in the net, the team's chances of advancing have diminished significantly with Husso thrust into the starting role.
Fans online couldn't hide their displeasure with Husso's poor performance on Monday.
Husso back at it again with the soft goals against
— Mantar Bhandal 🇨🇦 (@MantarBhandal) May 24, 2022
Ugh. Husso needs to get out of his head and remember he got us here.
Kadri helps silence crowd in St. Louis as part of a three-goal surge. Husso, Binnington’s replacement, did not look sharp on either of the first two goals.
Bennington, meantime, watching from a team suite.
— John Wawrow 🤷‍♂️ (@john_wawrow) May 24, 2022
Devon Toews now scores at 4:26. I mean, the Blues are just getting manhandled here right now. Avs shooting from everywhere, generating screens. Husso a bit helpless right now.
Husso had a strong regular season with a 25-7-6 record in 38 starts, but he just hasn't been sharp in the playoffs. St. Louis has to hope that he emerges from his slump and returns to the form that helped him find success earlier this year.
However, the Blues' confidence is likely low with Husso in the net as they're on the brink of elimination heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in Colorado.
Avalanche's Nazem Kadri Targeted by Threats After Game 3; Police Investigating
May 22, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 09: Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) is shown during Game 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, held on May 9, 2022, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been the subject of threats after Saturday's Game 3 win over the St. Louis Blues.
The Avalanche released a statement saying the franchise "is aware of threats made toward Nazem Kadri and is working with local law enforcement to investigate."
Former professional hockey player Akim Aliu tweeted that he recently spoke to Kadri. Aliu said that Kadri has dealt with racist attacks and threats since Saturday and confirmed that the police had to get involved:
Talked to @43_kadri About his inadvertent collision w Binnington. Naz has been subject to so many racist attacks and threats since last night that police had to be brought in. Racist attacks like this have no place in hockey and should be investigated and reported on.
— Akim “Dreamer” Olumide Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) May 22, 2022
Early in the first period of Saturday's game, Kadri and St. Louis defenseman Calle Rosen had inadvertently collided with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. Kadri and Rosen had gotten their skates tangled with each other in the crease. No penalty was called after the play.
Blues head coach Craig Berube announced on Sunday that Binnington is out for the remainder of the series because of a lower-body injury. According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the goalie is dealing with a knee injury.
Kadri has received multiple postseason suspensions throughout his career, including an eight-game ban after an illegal check to the head of Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in the 2021 playoffs. However, in this instance, he said the entire situation was incidental.
"I just see a loose puck, really. It was just kind of sitting behind him," Kadri told reporters. "Their defenseman collided with me and pushed me into him. Had that not been the case, I don't think I would have hit him at all"
Kadri also insinuated during his postgame interview that Binnington threw a water bottle at him.
The Avalanche will try to tie the series against the Blues in Game 4 on Monday.
Nazem Kadri Touted as Hero, 'Villain' by Fans After Avs vs. Blues Game 3 Controversy
May 22, 2022
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 21: (L-R) Nazem Kadri #91 and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate Kadri's goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period during Game Three of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-2 on Saturday in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup to take a 2-1 series lead, but not without a little controversy.
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington exited the game early in the first period after both Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri and Blues defenseman Calle Rosen crashed into him while chasing a rebounded shot.
Ville Huuso replaced Binnington for the remainder of the game.
While some fans were quick to blame Kadri for the collision, comparing him to the likes of Tom Wilson and former NHLer Sean Avery, others viewed him as the hero of Game 3 after scoring a goal in the second period and playing with a competitive edge.
Nazem Kadri is the new Tom Wilson. Convince me otherwise.
I really want the Washington Capitals to sign Nazem Kadri and put Tom Wilson on his wing just for the chaos. Ideally Brad Marchand is the other winger in this scenario
— Playoff Hockey Man Murphy O Canada 🇨🇦 (@MurphyOConnor2) May 22, 2022
Nazem Kadri, who has been booed every time he's touched the puck, scores just after the power play to make it 2-1. Cale Makar fired the puck in and Kadri tipped it.
Kadri has been viewed by a number of NHL fans in the past for being dirty, so it's not necessarily surprising that many laid into him during and after Saturday's game.
The 31-year-old was suspended eight games in June 2021 for an illegal check to the head on Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in their first-round playoff series. Including that suspension, he has been suspended a total of 16 playoff games and 11 regular-season games.
As for Binnington, his status moving forward is unclear. The 28-year-old played a significant role in St. Louis' 2019 Stanley Cup championship and will need him healthy to move further in the playoffs.
Binnington had also been playing well entering Saturday's game, posting a .948 save percentage and a 4-1 record in five playoff games. If he is unavailable, Huuso will likely get the start in Game 4 at Enterprise Center on Monday.
Nathan MacKinnon Says Avalanche Were 'Really Bad' in Game 2 Loss vs. Blues
May 20, 2022
DENVER, CO - MAY 17: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates during a Stanley Cup Playoffs round 2 game between the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on May 17, 2022. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan
MacKinnon expressed frustration about his team's performance in a
Game 2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in their second-round playoff
series Thursday night.
"We were bad. We were really bad
tonight," MacKinnon told reporters after the 4-1 defeat. "We
just didn't have our jump tonight. But we still feel like we're a
great team. We have to forget about it and move on."
The series is tied at one win apiece
after the Avs scored 3-2 overtime victory in Game 1.
MacKinnon's assessment is pretty spot-on. Thursday's game wasn't only Colorado's worst performance of the
playoffs so far—it swept the Nashville Predators in Round 1—but it was among the team's least effective outings of the entire season.
The expected goals in all situations
were 4.68 to 1.38 in favor of St. Louis, per Money Puck. So the final
score was an accurate depiction of the contest. It wasn't a situation
where the underdog Blues got a few lucky bounces. They dominated this game in Denver.
That's rarely happened to the Avalanche
in a season when they finished atop the Western Conference standings
with a 56-19-7 record (119 points).
"We got outworked and outskated,"
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said. "They were better, and we
were worse. Our biggest issue, especially early on, was that no one
wanted to skate with the puck. They did a nice job in the neutral
zone, but we didn't move."
One bad showing doesn't alter the Avs'
status as one of the top Stanley Cup contenders, though.
Colorado won its first five playoff
games by a combined score of 24-11, and it scored 12 goals in three
games against St. Louis during the teams' regular-season
series in which the Avs won twice.
In turn, the Blues shutting down the
high-powered Avalanche offense like it did in Game 2 for the
remainder of the series is a long shot.
MacKinnon, despite his pointed
comments, wasn't ready to push the panic button.
"I think, years past, we might
dwell on it and get down on ourselves and each other. We just got to
pick each other up and move on and stay positive," he said. "We
have a great team. We still believe we can get this thing done and
win the series. We're not going to sweep every round. It's fine."
The series now shifts to the Enterprise
Center in St. Louis for the next two matchups. Game 3 is set for
Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
'Underrated' David Perron Praised for 2 Goals as Blues Upset Avalanche in Game 2
May 20, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 19: Pavel Buchnevich #89, David Perron #57 and Ryan O'Reilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues celebrate a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 19, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
David Perron scored twice, including
the game-winning goal, to help lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-1
victory over the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of their
second-round playoff series Thursday night.
Perron now leads the Blues with seven
goals in eight appearances so far in the 2022 NHL playoffs. His 11
postseason points are already the second-most in his career, trailing
only the 16 he put up during St. Louis' run to the 2019 Stanley Cup
title.
David Perron is the most underrated player in the NHL and has been for years. It’s not particularly close, either. #stlblues#StanleyCup
The Blues and Avs are leveled at
one win apiece as the series shifts to the Enterprise Center in St.
Louis for the next two contests.
"It's playoffs. Big roller
coaster," Perron told reporters. "We didn't feel good about
ourselves last game. Tonight we had a lot more guys [playing well]."
Here's a look at more reaction to
the 33-year-old winger's standout performance:
I feel like we don’t talk about David Perron enough. 15 seasons in the league. Closing in on 1000 games and 300 goals. 20 or more goals six times. Would have had 20+ in the lockout and pandemic years as well. Consistent and underrated. And I just realized he’s from my hometown!
Jordan Kyrou and Brandon Saad also
found the net for St. Louis. Gabriel Landeskog tallied the only goal
for Colorado, which suffered its first loss of the playoffs after it swept the
Nashville Predators in the first round.
Goalie Jordan Binnington stopped 30 of
the 31 shots he faced to pick up the win for the Blues.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday night
at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
Broncos' Russell Wilson, More Praise Josh Manson, Avalanche After Win vs. Blues in OT
May 18, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Josh Manson #42 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with Samuel Girard #49 after scoring the winning goal against the St Louis Blues in overtime during Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Colorado Avalanche and defenseman Josh Manson were the talk of the NHL on Tuesday night after Manson's overtime goal gave the Avs a 3-2 win in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.
Colorado, the odds-on favorite to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, won Tuesday's contest with just under 12 minutes remaining in the first overtime session when Manson's seeing-eye wrister beat Blues goalie Jordan Binnington from the point:
That led to no shortage of reaction from across the internet, including a shoutout from the state of Colorado's newest star athlete.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who is now a member of the Denver Broncos after an offseason trade from the Seattle Seahawks, loved what he saw out of the Avs:
Fans and reporters alike praised the performance of Manson, fellow defenseman Samuel Girard and the Avalanche as a whole in a game that saw the Avs outshoot the Blues 54-25:
Kudos to Sam Girard for that bomb from the blue line. But wanna give a tip of hat to Josh Manson for making the simple, smart play of setting G up for shot. Manson has been excellent pick-up by Mr. Sakic.
Manson, who was acquired by the Avs in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks in March, was voted the first star of the game.
Not only did he score the game-winner, but he also assisted on a goal by Girard in the second period.
Typically, fans have come to expect stars such as Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar to score big goals for Colorado, but the fact that the decisive goal came off the stick of an unheralded blueliner in Manson likely played a role in the reaction.
Now, the Avs will look to extend their series lead to 2-0 when they host the Blues again for Game 2 on Thursday.
1 Nightmare Matchup for 5 NHL Playoff Contenders
Apr 10, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Nicolas Roy #10 of the Vegas Golden Knights faces off with Darren Helm #43 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
We’re in the dog days of the 2021-22 NHL regular season. The cellar-dwelling teams are beating each other up in meaningless games while the top teams in each conference jostle for Stanley Cup Playoff positioning.
The Eastern Conference playoff grouping has been set for months, with the only thing left to determine is the final bracket. Over in the Western Conference, the wild card has yet to be determined. The Vegas Golden Knights could potentially miss the playoffs for the first time since the franchise’s history. The Vancouver Canucks still have an outside chance of leapfrogging Vegas and Dallas for that last wild-card spot.
And, of course, there is always a chance the high-powered Golden Knights get some of their firepower back and manage to pull ahead of the Los Angeles Kings to save their season.
Lots of scenarios are still in play.
Matchups are everything in the playoffs. Unlike in the regular season, when weaknesses can be minimized in a single game, a seven-game series allows some teams to exploit another's weakness or neutralize the opposition's strength. It's enough time to figure out how to pick apart a power play and how a goalie moves.Br
Sometimes two teams match up well, but other times it's a disastrous draw.
Here are five matchups that fall into the latter category and why.
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) breaks against the New York Rangers defense during the third period of NHL hockey game Thursday, April 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
New York Rangers: Pittsburgh Penguins
The New York Rangers will successfully take the next step in their rebuild when they return to the playoffs (technically, they only reached the postseason portion of the 2020 bubble tournament and not the playoff portion, failing to make it out of the qualifying round) for the first time since 2017.
They have a lineup full of elite talent at the top and emerging young stars throughout, plus a goalie who should be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in Igor Shesterkin.
The lineup has also done a good job of limiting chances in front of Shesterkin, and their power play is exceptionally good, with the Blueshirts' 26.6 percent conversion being the second-best in the NHL.
The top unit with the man advantage might be one of the best, with Chris Kreider (the third-leading scorer in the league), Artemi Panarin, Ryan Strome, Mika Zibanejad and defending Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox. The addition of Andrew Copp to the second unit has given them a tougher net-front presence, but that second unit doesn't see a whole lot of time since the top one takes care of business.
However, the Rangers generate surprisingly little offense at 5-on-5, ranking toward the bottom of the league in Corsi, scoring chances and expected goals for. New York typically wins by winning the special teams battle and goaltending, making its Metropolitan Division foes in the Pittsburgh Penguins, the least penalized team in the NHL this season, its most potentially daunting challenge.
The Penguins also have the second-best penalty kill in the league and a ton of postseason experience. The Rangers' leaders aren't completely devoid of playoff experience, but it's tough to match that of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jeff Carter and even former Ranger Brian Boyle.
Maybe this is where we see the changing of the guard, with the Rangers overcoming their even-strength issues and their young players knocking off the legendary vets, especially since the Rangers are 3-1-0 against Pittsburgh this season and have outscored the Penguins 11-4.
But on paper, this isn't a good matchup.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Andre Burakovsky #95 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Zak Krill/NHLI via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche: Vegas Golden Knights
The Colorado Avalanche have been playing with a chip on their shoulder after losing in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights last season. A meeting again in early rounds would be a nightmare for reasons other than just the statistical matchup because the Avs have been the better team all season.
Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty could get healthy enough for the playoffs when the salary cap doesn't matter, and the club would be out of the woods with the cap constraints. That would give Vegas an even deeper lineup than they had last spring when they knocked out Colorado in six games since Jack Eichel has joined the club.
The Avs have been the favorites in the Western Conference all season but have dealt with their own injury issues, with captain Gabriel Landeskog currently on injured reserve while he recovers from knee surgery. Nazem Kadri, who is second on the team with 83 points, is expected to return by the playoffs.
However, should Colorado continue to struggle with injuries and run into a fully healthy Golden Knights squad, they may struggle to avenge their playoff disappointment from a season ago.
Questions will be asked about last year's series, but Vegas has been a contender for four years. It's time for the Avs to show that they're a top team when it matters, and to do that, they may once again have to face off against Vegas.
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 4: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Amalie Arena on April 4, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs: Tampa Bay Lightning
If you’re looking at playoff history, as we just did above, you might be thinking the worst opponent for the Toronto Maple Leafs would be the Boston Bruins. The Leafs have lost their last six postseason series against Boston dating back to 1969.
The 2019 first-round loss still stings, but this is a better, deeper Leafs team that has a different coach, a different goalie and plays much better defense.
Instead, the nightmare matchup for Toronto would be the Tampa Bay Lightning. To be fair, the Lightning are a nightmare team for anyone to face. They haven't lost a postseason series since 2019, and they're still the champions until someone knocks them off.
These are two elite teams that would make for a great series.
Tampa Bay has the best quite possibly the best goaltender in the world in Andrei Vasilevskiy, a proven coach in Jon Cooper and a deep lineup.
The team lost its entire third line of Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow, as well as other players from those two Stanley Cup teams like Tyler Johnson, and hasn't missed a beat.
In Toronto, Auston Matthews has quickly become one of the most prolific scorers of this generation and is the type of game-breaking player that can make a difference in the playoffs. He scored his 55th goal of the season on Thursday night to set the Leafs' single-season record and the most for a U.S.-born NHL player.
Meanwhile, Mitch Marner has surpassed the 30-goal benchmark for the first time in his career.
Yet Matthews and Marner disappeared during their seven-game series with the Montreal Canadien last season. The Lightning have the defenders to neutralize even the best scorers, including Ryan McDonagh, who is expected to return as soon as this weekend.
Meeting in the first round is a realistic scenario given the current Atlantic Division standings. There is immense pressure on Toronto to get out of the first round, and this is an opponent who can bring the pressure on and off the ice.
Much like the Colorado-Vegas matchup, this one is less about the statistics and more about the storyline and the narratives that surround the Leafs and Lighting.
CALGARY, AB - MARCH 29: Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter speaks to media after his teams 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on March 29, 2022, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Kings: Calgary Flames
The Los Angeles Kings will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. A decade ago, it looked as though they had an emerging dynasty, but the culture fell apart, key veterans departed and former general manager Dean Lombardi tried to keep the window open a little too long, failing to recognize that it had already shut.
Finally, Lombardi's successor, Rob Blake, decided to blow it up and rebuild in 2019. Blake kept some of that championship core, and Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick remain.
He stockpiled talent and quickly built one of the most impressive prospect pools in hockey. He hired coach Todd McLellan to guide the team through the lean years and get them ready for a return to contention.
Los Angeles is ahead of schedule and currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with 86 points, a near-lock to make the playoffs. And there is a chance they could face a familiar face: Darryl Sutter, the coach that guided them to two Stanley Cups and the current coach of the Calgary Flames.
Sutter hockey has proven to be effective throughout the years, and the Flames are proof that it's still working. It might a low-event style of play, but Calgary is scoring 3.48 goals per game, good for sixth in the league, and they're the third-highest shot volume team at 5-on-5 in the NHL.
The Kings don't have the defense to withstand an offensive attack from Calgary. If Alexander Edler returns, as he is expected to soon, it will add another proven defender to the blueline. However, the club is unsure when Doughty can return from an upper-body injury, and without him, Los Angeles may not have enough to stop Calgary's offense.
The Los Angeles power play is also the least effective amongst teams in playoff contention, as its 16.6 percent mark is 28th in the league. The Flames, meanwhile, happen to be one of the best penalty-killing teams, killing off 83.4 percent of the opponent's power-play opportunities.
No one knows Sutter hockey like the Kings, but now that Kopitar, Doughty, Brown and Quick are on the other side, it might not be as much fun.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) moves in to break up a pass for Boston Bruins winger Nick Foligno (17) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes on February 10, 2022 at TD garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Boston Bruins: Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have outscored the Boston Bruins 16-1 in three meetings this year. Granted, one of those games was one of Tuukka Rask's final games in the NHL, and it was a disaster. However, Linus Ullmark didn't fare much better against the Canes in February, allowing all six goals in a 6-0 loss.
This matchup could be similar to a Kings-Flames series in that Carolina is a high shot-volume team, and Boston may not have the defense to contain their attack.
The Bruins added Hampus Lindholm at the trade deadline to deepen the blueline, and this team has been good at limiting scoring chances throughout the season.
They'll have to decide which goaltender to go with during the playoffs because a tandem is never really an effective plan past the regular season. They have two very good options in Jeremy Swayman and Ullmark, though, the latter of whom has played much better lately, going 6-0-0 with a .938 save percentage in his last seven games.
However, it's tough to argue with how many weapons Carolina has up front. This is an exceptionally deep team, especially at forward, where they can roll all four lines and overwhelm teams with the volume and quality of shots. They have defensemen with shutdown abilities like Brett Pesce and two who can jump into offensive plays in Jaccob Slavin and Tony DeAngelo.
It's a tough match for the Bruins, who have similar high-end talent but not as much as Carolina, especially on the blueline.
