Last night went as expected IMO. You had to think Florida wouldn't go down 3-0, thus ending the series. The game was closer/tougher than expected maybe, but the result was what you'd expect. I have to give Toronto a lot of credit for their game thus far, watching last night, I think they can definitely win the series. I thought before game 3 Florida could go home and win two, and they still can, but game 4 will be tough. I expect the Leafs to play well, and Florida will need to bring their best, which they can, to even the series 2-2. Right now, you have to give Toronto the edge. As for the Jets, also expected. Unlikely they'd lose both at home, the Jets needed to win. This series should be a long close series, that either team can win. I ever so slightly barely favor Dallas, but it is a 51/49 tossup series I believe. The Canes/Caps series will also be a long total tossup series. And we'll find out if Vegas has anything in a must win game 3. If they go down 3-0 tonight, they may get swept. I hope Vegas wins as I really want to see a good series.
Crazy goal by our old buddy Reilly Smith with .04 seconds left in the 3rd to win it for Vegas. Huge must win for Vegas, and Smith made up for a bad play in game 2 that allowed Edmonton to take the lead. Happy Vegas won, makes that a close long series hopefully.
Hellebuyck continues to suck in the playoffs, especially on the road. On the bright side, he should win another Vezina this season.... Good win by Florida, series tied 2-2. That has been a very close fun series to watch, I think either team can win the now best of 3 series. Two big game 4's tomorrow night can the road teams (Caps & Vegas) get wins to even up their series. I give both home teams the slight edge, but the road teams certainly can win, they are almost coin flip games to me.
I'm not surprised by the Canes/Caps series. The Caps played over their heads all season. If the Rangers had any pulse and got in, I think they would have had a decent shot against the Caps. I don't think the Canes are as good as they have been the past few seasons, and I don't trust their goalie at all in big spots against good teams, but they are above the Caps, who are at best a solid/good team, nothing more. If the Canes move on, I think they'll lose to either Toronto or Florida in less than 7.
Edmonton rolling up Vegas so far, could be another 3-1 series. I'm a bit disappointed in Vegas, and credit to Edmonton. They've been playing really well since they found a way to comeback and survive games 3 & 4 against LA.
Leafs turning into the same old Leafs. I thought Florida had a solid shot to win both games at home but tonight is ridiculous. You have to put the Panthers down when you have the chance. Up 2-0 and leading by two in game 3, that was the Leafs shot. They didn't get it done, lost in OT, the rest has been history. Similar to us in the ECF last season, up 2-1 in the series, lost game 4 in OT, that was our shot. Give the Panthers credit, they do not stop, they are relentless. If they lose, you have to figure Marner for sure, and maybe Tavares as well, are done in Toronto, both are UFA's, they have to mix things up in Toronto if they have another early playoff exit. I wonder if the Rangers will get in on Marner, maybe if they can move Panarin or Zibanejad, or Kreider and move on from K. Miller.
