He went to the Stanley Cup Final with the Sharks in his first full season in San Jose. There's not much dropoff on New York's middle lines, as they all play with a similar identity. The Wild are relatively healthy. 1 option. Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. (Especially Sanford, whose offensive numbers dipped from last season.) Series pick: Lightning in seven. Coach John Hynes deserves some credit there, but so do the players. Yzerman. Regulation wins: 27 1 pick. Why Owen Power is the clear No. But I like the upset here, on one condition: Ehlers is back and healthy. Already an ESPN+ subscriber? Advantage: Even, Goaltending: Tuukka Rask has played 93 career playoff games, and that type of experience typically matters this time of year. On paper, the Lightning should have a big edge, but injuries are a concern for two of their top defensemen, Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh. Welcome to the bracket challenge. Stone led the Knights with 61 points in 55 games, skating to a plus-26. With the NHL playing in a four-division format this year for the regular season, the playoffs for the first two rounds, anyway will be intra-division. Playoff position: W1 Next game: @ SJ (May 8) After the NHL staged a 24-team, bubble-based tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner in 2020, we're back to a more traditional 16-team event in 2021 -- with a significant twist. Patrik Nemeth and Conor Timmins round out the group. Meet the next wave of top picks The Golden Knights were 22nd in the NHL (17.8%), while the Wild were right behind them at 24th (17.6%). Checking-line players Ryan Reaves and Tomas Nosek are working back from injury, and the Knights have relied on their trio with William Carrier for multiple seasons. Playoff position: E2 : LOADING BRACKET. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? They live in a world where all four lines can feasibly score, but to coach Rod Brind'Amour's identity of hard-nosed hockey. Can the red-hot Hurricanes topple the Bruins at No. It's now a yearly tradition: discounting the Islanders until they go on a playoff run that forces you to pay attention. Playoff chances: 0% Catch up on all the deals made -- and potential ones to come. While the Blues are locked into the No. But because he has such an assemblage of talent on his bench, he doesn't get the credit he deserves for conducting that orchestra. In more than 106 minutes at 5-on-5 together, the duo has a whopping 73.62% expected goals for percentage, outscoring opposing teams 10-1. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? Watch on ESPN+, Defense: Here's where the Predators finally can go toe-to-toe with the Canes. For Edmonton, Zack Kassian has resumed skating after being out with a lower body injury. These are memorable names because these are legendary players. Next game: vs. COL (May 8) Pacioretty led the Knights with 24 goals this season.The Wild's top line has featured rookie of the year favorite Kirill Kaprizov (51 points in 55 games) paired with winger Mats Zuccarello. Advantage: Even, Special teams: The Canes have the second-best power play in the league, trailing only the Oilers, clicking at 25.6%. Click here for the upcoming schedule and to learn how to subscribe. ET (TNT) Game 4: Sunday, May 8 at 4:30 p.m. scores. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? Verhaeghe (upper body injury) missed 13 games but got a regular-season game in before the playoffs. Advantage: Even, Special teams: The Maple Leafs had the 16th-best power play in the NHL (20.3%) and the 24th-best penalty kill (77.7%) through 54 games. Kucherov should probably slide back to the top line with Ondrej Palat and Brayden Point, a trio that was dynamite in last year's playoffs, combining for 85 points in 25 games. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 68 Elizabeth Kitley, 6-4, C, Virginia Tech Hokies Kitley turned what was a close race into a second straight ACC Player of the Year trophy. It is more surprising to see the Penguins' duo of Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith ranking sixth in the same category (.925). Game 1: Monday, May 2 at 9:30 p.m. More NHL and draft content, NHL Playoff Watch Daily: What's at stake on Saturday, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. The X factors: As always, one is Alex Tuch, who had 18 goals in 55 games this season and has 15 goals in 47 career playoff games. Instead, Koskinen has struggled while Smith posted a .924 save percentage in 31 games, placing 12th in goals saved above average (14.6). ESPN Insider's Bracket Predictor helps you evaluate each of the 63 games and imports your picks directly into ESPN's Tournament Challenge. Washington has a more veteran-led blue line, including longtime Bruins captain Zdeno Chara manning the third pairing. Next game: vs. VAN (May 8) Capitals send Eller to Avs for second-round pick, Kings deal Cup-winning G Quick to Blue Jackets, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 3 St. Louis Blues (St. Louis wins 4-2) No. How will the matchups play out? Regulation wins: 19 Nor as talented. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? In Virginia Tech's final seven games, six of which . Fill out your bracket and compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities for your shot at $100,000 in prizes. He has been solid the last two months of the season. The phenom had 104 points through 55 games this season, one of the most dominant runs for an offensive player in NHL history when adjusted for era. Paired with Joel Edmundson, he could be a Norris Trophy contender. Tournament Challenge: Check your brackets! New for 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. In more than 766 minutes at 5-on-5, Dougie Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin have tilted the ice with a plus-19 differential in goals and plus-57 delta in high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. -- but before we get there, it's time for eight divisional series to kick things off, starting on Saturday. It's on the penalty kill that the Knights have the advantage: They were first in the NHL (86.8%) while Minnesota was 12th (80.8%). 2; Nedeljkovic might even be Carolina's No. McDonagh and Palat are also nursing injuries, while Jan Rutta is on injured reserve. You don't need to know fancy stats to understand that is quite good. Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair likely flank Barkov. Follow along here with our updated tracker. Games left: 2 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. There is no penalty for not filling-out all of your created brackets/entries with team selections or using them to enter into a group. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 71 While we agree that Lorne "Gump" Worsley, George "Punch" Imlach, Joseph "Toe" Blake, Harold "Punch" Broadbent, Modere "Mud" Bruneteau, Aubrey "Dit" Clapper, Elmer "Moose" Vasko, Eldon "Pokey" Reddick and others are stone-cold classic hockey names, we've taken them out of the tournament field. He had a .915 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average in winning 23 of 44 games. While we accepted nicknames based on first names, we did not include players known by their nicknames. Regulation wins: 28 Advantage: Carolina, Forward depth: The Hurricanes have enviable depth. Dayton has the chance to earn a "home" NCAA tournament game. Playoff position: N/A Playoff position: C3 The men's NCAA tournament is over, with Villanova on top. | Advantage: Florida, Special teams: Not a huge difference between the power play for the Panthers (20.5%) and the Lightning (22.4%), though Kucherov's presence could be an X factor. Games left: 3 Tragic number: E, Points: 43 He has an undisclosed injury and has played just once since May 5. Nurse in particular has had a great two-way season, and was in the Norris Trophy conversation. ET (ESPN2) Game 2: Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. Under this season's realignment, the playoffs will be division-based, with the top seed facing the fourth, the second facing the third and the . Playoff position: N/A Next game: @ NYI (May 8) We've compiled 64 of them into four different regions in a bracketed tournament: Old-school region, with the players from yesteryear. From a woman coming across an azure-hooded blue jay and believing "Creighton will fly through the early rounds" to a man feeling a little husky, "like UConn" in his dress shirt, the . Their offense was the Leafs' best defense, too: Toronto goalies had a .932 save percentage when the line was on the ice. The #1 bracket app is back and better than ever for the 2023 NCAA Men's and Women's College Basketball tournaments! Make sure to tune-in and watch who will. NFL; NBA; NHL; NCAAM; NCAAW; Playoff position: N1 Rod Brind'Amour is a favorite to win the Jack Adams as Coach of the Year in 2021, as he had the Canes operating on a high level for the entire season. | Fill out your bracket and compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities for your shot at $100,000 in prizes. Playoff chances: 100% NHL trade grades: Kings make smart additions in Gavrikov, Korpisalo, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals, rumors and grades, Capitals send Eller to Avs for second-round pick, Kings deal Cup-winning G Quick to Blue Jackets, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? The Stanley Cup is something that sets the National Hockey League apart from other sports. Playoff position: N/A Playoff position: N/A Games left: 1 Regulation wins: 19 About Nielsen Measurement. Next game: vs. Playoff chances: 0% The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. Copa del Rey semifinal: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid preview, key players, prediction, Infighting of Women's World Cup faves Spain, France, Canada reveals big issues in the sport, ISL Musings: Bengaluru's Ws continue, Odisha sneak through, ATKMB beat EB (again). But Tampa Bay has already been through its growing pains; its time is now. Advantage: Colorado, Health: MacKinnon's health is the biggest issue facing the Avalanche. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? Playoff chances: 0% Take out his first season in Colorado, when he was an emergency hire after Patrick Roy left, and he has a 162-93-35 record. He has had procedures now on his knee, leg and core. NHL playoff bracket 2022: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for postseason | Sporting News Canada -156 BUF -175 LAK -127 Thu, 7:30p CAR DET CHI 2/26, 11:00a NYI WIN 2/26, 12:30p LAK NYR 2/26,. Games left: 1 Playoff chances: 100% They're first in expected goals on the power play (7.99 per 60 minutes). Play Tournament Challenge The past few years have spoiled us with an exuberance of blue-chip talent . Advantage: Winnipeg, Coaching: Two veteran coaches squaring off here. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. Select the teams you think will win each tournament game from the first round all the way through the championship game. 1 Fill out 25 brackets to compete for more cash! Advantage: Vegas, Health: Pacioretty, Martinez, Nosek and Reaves all missed time down the stretch for Vegas, but all should play in the first round. In more than 783 minutes together, they have outscored teams by 29 goals and have a 73.23% expected goals for percentage. The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. He has played with Joel Armia and dynamic center Nick Suzuki, who bounced back from a midseason offensive swoon. Complete your bracket by selecting your winner for each game of the Men's NCAA Tournament. First line: Florida's top line is all about Aleksander Barkov, one of the best two-way players in the game -- but really, just one of the best players in this game. They could use Vince Dunn, who's out with an upper-body injury. Advantage: Even, Health: Boston had to shuffle its lineup quite a bit this season due to injuries and COVID-19 absences. 1, a loaded LPGA field and more to watch in golf this week, How to watch PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on ESPN+, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Everything you need to know about F1's 2023 season, F1 season preview: Who's hot and who's not, Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits, Oral history: When Barcelona, Real Madrid played four Clasicos in 18 days back in 2011, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Regulation wins: 28 No. To calculate you'd simply subtract the lower scores from the higher scores to get the number of total points you were away from getting the score exactly correct. When Backstrom and Ovechkin have been on the ice together this season, they have outscored teams by 14 goals. Privacy Policy And bear in mind that while Tampa expects Kucherov back, he hasn't played in a game since last summer. Next game: @ VGS (May 8) Playoff chances: 96% If he stumbles, the Bruins will turn to 22-year-old rookie Jeremy Swayman, who earned the backup role with a .945 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 starts. Next game: vs. DET (May 8) Tragic number: 1, Points: 47 We look at six teams and how they could plan to approach Friday's trade deadline. Series pick: Caps in seven. The Maple Leafs' top line has a generational goal-scoring savant. There are other aspects to this matchup that are intriguing for the Jets: Dubois following up a near star-making performance while with Columbus in the postseason bubble last summer, or Hellebuyck maybe stealing a game or two. Next game: @ PIT (May 8) Or the goalie who posted a .936 save percentage and two shutouts in the bubble last postseason? Florida might have made its own shrewd move this time around. After Kaprizov, the next highest goal scorer was Kevin Fiala, who had 20 on the season in 50 games. He took the Knights to the conference finals in 2020 after taking over for Gerard Gallant, but this is his first full season with Vegas. Charlie Coyle missed the final four games with an upper-body injury, but Cassidy said he should be cleared for Game 1. Playoff chances: 0% Playoff position: C2 May 3, 2021. He's been great in the playoffs, too: .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 25 career appearances. ET (TBS) Game 4: Sunday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Playoff chances: 0% Games left: 4 Paul Byron, Artturi Lehkonen, Michael Frolik and Jake Evans play their roles. ACC. Race for the No. The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. But the Penguins still have more punch throughout their lines, including enviable center depth with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter and Teddy Blueger down the middle. Every postseason for Toronto centers around the new and exciting ways it's going to blow it -- this is a team that hasn't won a playoff series since 2004. Sportsnet reported Hedman (lower body injury) is putting off surgery until the offseason. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 75 North: TOR-MTL | EDM-WPG 4 spot, the Golden Knights, Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are all still in the mix for the top seed. Dean Evason coached four games in the qualification round of the bubble playoffs last season, and that's the only postseason head-coaching experience for the long-tenured assistant who took over from Bruce Boudreau last season. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 58 The annual tradition is back! Oh, and he led nearly this exact group to a Stanley Cup last year. Playoff position: N/A He went to the Stanley Cup Final with the Devils in his first full season in New Jersey. First line: The Jets' top line is well established: center Mark Scheifele (61 points in 55 games), flanked by wingers Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler. Payouts to be determined based on number of entries. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge Brackets are closed for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge Sign in to check your scores. Advantage: Even, Goaltending: Marc-Andre Fleury was the Golden Knights' most important player this season, leading the NHL in goals saved above average (27.7) and giving them a remarkable .722 quality starts ratio in his 36 appearances. For Edmonton, the pairing of Tyson Barrie (48 points in 55 games) and Darnell Nurse (36 points in 54 games) has excelled offensively. Bennett's arrival slid players down the lineup and only strengthened the bottom six (which has some decent players, including Nikita Gusev, whose performance has improved after a forgettable stint in New Jersey). Meanwhile, Cassidy has been coaching this group since 2016, including 55 playoff games and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. Credit young players for stepping up, but also Charlie McAvoy for owning the No. NHL Playoffs Central: Schedules, scores, highlights, analysis Plus, which teams are best set up for the future with a strong young group? Games left: 3 Regulation wins: 28 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. On Tuesday, we'll have staff picks and winners. Playoff chances: 0.9% Defense: Like Toffoli with the Canadiens, T.J. Brodie was one of the most impactful signings of the offseason for the Leafs. 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