2019 NHL Playoffs Conference Finals Preview

By Tommy Kane

Published: May 9th, 2019

Volume III: Issue XIV

It’s May and that means we are heading to the Conference Finals: the Final Four left! The first two rounds were filled with wild, and even controversial situations that left us all on our toes. Debate has never been more evident than this postseason.

Consistency with calls has been lacking throughout the playoffs, and analysts are making their voice heard. For example, look at the image above.

Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins caught Josh Anderson of the Columbus Blue Jackets up high, with the point of contact arguably being his head. Nonetheless, refs call only a two-minute minor. It looked like a major penalty but was called otherwise.

I won’t harken too much into this, because we have to get down to the two huge match-ups ahead.

2. Boston Bruins vs. WC1. Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes have a 53.9% chance of advancing. This according to MoneyPuck. 

The ‘Bunch of Jerks’ Hurricanes will take on the dangerous Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final. Both teams have been playing sound hockey. The Canes recently swept the fortunate New York Islanders, while the Bruins defeated the underdog Columbus Blue Jackets.

Looking at the Bruins, the top-line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak is always dangerous. What is overlooked is the supplemental play of David Krejci, Charlie McAvoy, and Charlie Coyle. They are playmakers.

Tuukka Rask (G) has stepped up to the plate and has been a brick wall. He has a save percentage of .938. He has arguably been playing the best hockey of his career. If the Hurricanes want to go to the Cup Final, they need to figure him out because Columbus and Toronto could not.

Next, the powerplay overall has been just over 25% successful. A team that can score on the powerplay is a team that can go far through the postseason, and the Bruins have done just that.

The final assessment of Boston is that they are a great two-way team and have the arsenal on both sides of the puck. Their penalty kill stunted Columbus, but their powerplay is more of a factor. Goaltending is huge and Rask can make an argument for the best goalie left in the playoffs. Finally, Zdeno Chara is still holding the fort as captain and the team is on fire.

Carolina is a dark horse that has mixed great offense, defense, and goaltending to get where they are. On paper, they can seem weak, but this isn’t a team to take lightly.

Jacob Slavin, Teuvo Teravainen, and Warren Foegel have been studs that have helped the stars in Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho. Slavin has 11 points while the ladder both have nine. These are players that are not too well-known.

Petr Mrazek (G) went down with a groin injury against the Isles, so Curtis McElhinney (G) stepped up. He is so far steller, having the highest save percentage at .947. His confidence is healing for the Canes. Mrzak has been playing well too, with a save percentage of .913.

The Hurricanes fall on special teams. They are towards the bottom of the playoffs in powerplay and penalty kill. The powerplay has especially been troubling at 10.5%. Teams that can’t score on the powerplay have a difficult time winning the Cup.

Like stated above, both teams are wicked good and are on a hot streak, but the Bruins have been a better team and will move on to the Cup Final. Both goaltenders are great, but special teams will be tough for Carolina. Bruins win, 4-2.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 3. St. Louis Blues

The Blues have a 53.7% chance of advancing

The St. Louis Blues, going from zero to hero this season, will take on the San Jose Sharks in a Western Conference battle. Both teams fought out of a Game 7 last round. The Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche and the Blues defeated the Dallas Stars.

San Jose had a difficult time against the Vegas Golden Knights in the First Round before pulling away. Logan Couture and Thomas Hertl have been amazing so far. Couture and Hertl both have nine goals and 14 total points. The return of captain, Joe Pavelski, has also been a positive for the Sharks.

Martin Jones (G) struggled in the first four games of the postseason but has turned it around as of late. He has a .910 save percentage, but it is lower than it seems because of his early struggles.

The Sharks are in the middle of the pack for both of their special teams play, but they have adequete penalty killing and powerplay. The team plays a better 5-on-5 game than special teams.

A big issue for the Sharks is defensive play, though. The defense has some holes that they need to cover up, as well as they can be pressured down the stretch. Nonetheless, the team does not give up leads.

The Blues are playing with great depth this postseason; Jaden Schwartz, Patrick Maroon, Robert Thomas, Vladimir Tarasenko, just to name a few. Obviously, they have a greater cast. Schwartz does lead the team with eight goals, and his net-crashing play is evident.

The biggest factor for the Blues though is goaltender Jordan Binnington. The rookie hopped right in at the beginning of the 2019 year and has righted the ship. In the playoffs, he has a .915 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA. It may seem low, but he has consistently kept his team in games.

The Blues, like the Sharks, don’t have too much of an impact on special teams. Depth and goaltending have really been their strong suits and so far it is working out. They do a good job on defense limiting the number of shots opponents get on Binnington.

This series will go into seven games, and the Sharks with home ice will last. The Sharks have more of an offensive presence and Binnington will get rattled. He is still great, it’s just he will be facing a better offensive team than before. Sharks win, 4-3.

Games will start on May 9, 2019, with the Bruins and Canes. All will be telecasted on NBC and its affiliates, as usual.

HAPPY HOCKEY!

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