This is it, the first playoffs game day in a year. It’s been a long season of waiting, evaluating, watching, and waiting some more. But now we’re here. Lightning vs Leafs once again.
First up, my comprehensive breakdown of Tampa Bay and Toronto, line by line. It paints the picture of the season and how things might change now that the playoffs are here.
Hardev Lad
Justin put together a betting preview that shares his analysis on a few different quantities of the game you can bet on.
Justin Godfrey
And finally, just in case you missed it, here’s the series schedule.
Hardev Lad
Also in the organization, the Syracuse Crunch are heading to the playoffs as the second seed in the North Division and will face the Rochester Americans in the first round. You can find the bracket below. The five-game series starts on Friday.
Lee Wright
The NHL opened the first round last night with four games.
Boston Bruins 3-1 over Florida Panthers
The Bruins scored early on the power play and stayed ahead of the Panthers despite Patrice Bergeron and a couple others out with a “bug” that’s infected the team.
Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 over New York Islanders
The Hurricanes got the lead early, extended it in the second, and ran away with the puck as they put up a shot differential higher than 60% in the win.
Minnesota Wild 3-2 (2 OT) over Dallas Stars
It was a back and forth barn burner between the former North Stars and the Wild. Heck of a game, double OT finish.
Los Angeles Kings 4-3 (OT) over Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers choked on 2-0 and 3-1 leads to lose in overtime. That’s what you get when you take 8 penalties.
