2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (predictions and discussions)

Which places are those?

 

They'll probably be a one-line team.

 

Kings beat Sharks 3-0, tighten that series up to 3-2 headed back to LA. Sharks did make the much-too-late goalie switch and Stalock looked great. Hope it's enough to change the tide, but I think it's going to Game 7 at least.

 

San Jose has to be feeling at least a little bit nervous. They were fortunate to win Game 3 in overtime.

 

Could be. They have a lot of young forwards (Chiasson, Garbutt, Eakin, Roussel, etc.) and how good they become will likely depend on how well those guys develop. LIndy Ruff should be an Adams Trophy finalist for getting this much mileage out of this group this year.

 

Or the Sharks being their loveable, underachieving selves again ...

 

That MacKinnon kid might turn out OK, he's pretty young yet so it's tough to tell.

 

If they can sign a couple in their prime 2nd line free agents to replace the likes of Erik Cole (scratched...bet they wish they had Michael Ryder instead) and Ray Whitney, Dallas could be in good shape even in the west. Should be good in goal for a while between Lehtonen and Jack Campbell coming up. At some point they may be able to get a return for the big Finn too, if they want to hand the reins to Campbell.

 

I hate to pin all of St. Louis' shortcomings on Ryan Miller. But the nature of goaltending is that you are expected to make the clutch saves in big games and he is just not doing that in this playoff series.

 

Looks like winning the first two games of a series is not a good strategy for the Blues.

 

The third goal, the one to Sharp on the breakaway, was just horrific.