Guide to Stanley Cup Playoffs round 2

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Just because the NHL in Vancouver is a mess doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the fruit of the Stanly Cup Playoffs.  

This is your guide on the best series to watch during the second round.   

Hurricanes vs Flyers 

This one isn’t for the reason you might expect. The Canes are heavy favorites to win this series, so why has this in the one’s to watch? 

It’s because of how dominant the Hurricanes play hockey, it’s remarkable. They’re all completely bought into the system. They have an identity and they stick to it. 

At the time this article is being written, Logan Stankoven has torched the Flyers with 2 goals in game 1 against the Flyers, giving him 6 goals in 5 playoff games. According to series colour guy Ray Ferraro, “It’s all coming up roses for Stankoven.  Not bad for a guy who was labeled as too short for the NHL and was a throw in when Carolina had to flip Mikko Rantanen last season. Mark my words, the line with him, Taylor Hall, and Jackson Blake will be regarded in the same light as the Panthers third line when they won the cup last year.  

Yea that’s right. The Hurricanes are winning the cup this year. You’re going to want to see how they got there.  

 

Avalanche vs Wild 

This was the slam dunk pick. 

After winning a playoff series for the first time since 2015 against one of the top teams in the league, the Dallas Stars, their journey gets… even harder? 

Yea, after winning a matchup that should have been the Conference Finals, the Wild pretty much have to do it again. 

The Avs tore up the NHL during the season and won the Presidents trophy. I don’t even need to go through the offensive weapons they have. Makar, Toews, Necas, and the Mac dog himself, Nathan MacKinnon. It’s equal to throwing everything and the kitchen sink at their opponents. And they proved that they were serious by sweeping the middling Kings in the first round. 

But Minnisoda saw this coming. That’s why they went out and traded for almost everyone. No, that’s not a hyperbole.  Bobby Brink, Nick Foligno, Jeff Petry, Micheal McCarron, and of course, Quinn Hughes. The Wild looked significantly weaker while Matt Zuccarello was missing early in their first round series, but it’s mostly okay, cause Matt Boldy is a monster. 

So how do both juggernauts match up against each other?  

Uh… it’s hard to find a weakness on either team.  

It’s the unstoppable force vs the unstoppable force. 

What do you think is more of an advantage? Being a well-rested team after having an easy first round that wasn’t much of a test? Or having the first round be a nightmare matchup and you’re completely up to speed with playing elite teams?  

Either way it’s going to be some must not miss hockey. 

Whichever team lifts that prestigious trophy is going to earn it.