There are only four teams left in the National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the Western Conference Final (WCF), the Anaheim Ducks will face the Chicago Blackhawks, while the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning square off in the Eastern Conference Final (ECF).
Out in the west, the Ducks and Blackhawks have reached their respective places with relative ease. While no playoff game is easily won, the Ducks own a playoff record of 8-1 after handily defeating the Winnipeg Jets and then the Calgary Flames. The Blackhawks’ playoff record is 8-2 as a result of downing the Nashville Predators and sweeping the Minnesota Wild, again.
For the Ducks to win, their best players will need to continue their hot streaks. Young goaltender Fredrik Andersen has looked spectacular in most of his outings, and forward Corey Perry has recorded a ridiculous 15 points in nine games.
Superstar center Ryan Getzlaf leads the playoffs in assists with ten, but is just as valuable for his defensive, 200-foot game. The x-factor for the Ducks could be emerging 24-year old winger Jakob Silfverberg. The young and dynamic forward has surprised many with three goals and 11 points.
When it comes to the playoffs, the Blackhawks turn up their intensity every year. Goalie Corey Crawford has regained his confidence after being pulled in the team’s first series, which gives Chicago an anchor to play around.
Star forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have been outstanding as usual, but eventually the secondary scoring will need to step up. Forwards Brad Richards and Bryan Bickell have been underwhelming so far. Anaheim has home-ice advantage in this series by virtue of regular season points.
Out in the east, the New York Rangers refuse to lose. They climbed back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Washington Capitals. Derek Stepan netted the overtime winner in game seven, allowing the Rangers to advance to the ECF. A speedy team with extreme talent on the back-end, New York has all the ingredients to return to the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s difficult to forget the Rangers’ most consistent player, Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist whose 1.60 goals against average (GAA) and .944 save percentage (SV%) are tops amongst remaining goalies.
After inching by the Detroit Red Wings in seven games in the first round, the Lightning overpowered potential MVP goalie Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. Tampa Bay’s league-leading offense is helping to boost the team. Center Steven Stamkos’ game picked up in the Montreal series after struggling against Detroit, while undersized star forward Tyler Johnson leads the playoffs with eight goals.
The biggest difference for the Lightning compared to last year is in net, where goaltender Ben Bishop has been lights out for this red-hot team.
