{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/oDFrUbsM.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "THN.com/podcast. From The Hockey News Podcast: Updating the NHL's Coaching Hot Seat", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/oDFrUbsM-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/oDFrUbsM.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/oDFrUbsM.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-h22Acz5O.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 304200, "filesize": 11673681, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-ZGrndjd3.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 469046, "filesize": 17999649, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-8ZzZSFJw.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1341336, "filesize": 51473795, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-8ct0G4Lz.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113444, "filesize": 4353447 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-4uUY4y1O.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 2590510, "filesize": 99410835, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-MS1o6dk1.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 526109, "filesize": 20189454, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oDFrUbsM-GEoBDEog.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 884613, "filesize": 33947043, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2Njk1NzcwODc4MTI2MDQ3/usatsi_19583031.jpg" }, "caption": "David Pastrnak" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 2023 NHL playoffs begin on April 17 – but we just can’t wait. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " While some matchups look set in stone, such as the Leafs versus Lightning and the Devils versus Rangers, teams are still fighting for a playoff spot in an intense wild-card race." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Here are some way-too-early first-round playoff predictions based on the league standings as of March 20 and projecting the remainder of the season." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "EASTERN CONFERENCE", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers: The Bruins have been by far the best team in the NHL this year. They are the fastest team ever to 50 wins in a season and are on pace to break the NHL record of 62 wins in a season. The Bruins are also the best defensive team in the league and the second-best offensive team. For these reasons, Boston will sweep Florida in four straight. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: This will be the most competitive series in the Eastern Conference because they are two evenly matched teams. Tampa Bay has been to three Stanley Cup finals in a row, winning back-to-back before falling to Colorado last year. This is a team that is built for playoff hockey. Even though the Leafs have had another strong regular season and boast a high-octane offense up front, they have not won a playoff series since 2004. The drought continues – we’re taking Tampa Bay." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: On paper, this looks like a series that could be over in four or five games for Carolina. The Hurricanes have a young, fast team that is strong both offensively and defensively. Pittsburgh is a team with aging superstars and the Penguins have struggled to keep the puck out of their net this season. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers: This looks like a long, hard-fought series between two teams that are very close statistically across the board. The series could come down to the hotter goaltender and Vitek Vanecek has had a strong season that will be the difference for the Devils. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "WESTERN CONFERENCE", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers: Even though the Oilers enter the series as underdogs, the team with the best player will win. Connor McDavid, like he did last year, will put the Oilers on his back and carry them to another long playoff run. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche: Colorado has not had a great regular season, but they are the defending Stanley Cup champions. With a lot of the same players back from their Cup team, they will be tough to knock off in a seven-game series. Determined to make another appearance in the Cup final, Colorado will take down Minnesota in the first round. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets: This series will possibly be the biggest upset in the first round of playoffs, with the Jets beating the Golden Knights in a long, seven-game battle. Although recently acquired Jonathan Quick brings both Stanley Cup rings and playoff experience to the Golden Knights, Connor Hellebuyck will outshine him in this goaltending duel and be the difference for Winnipeg." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Seattle Kraken vs. Los Angeles Kings: Los Angeles still has their team leaders, Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar, but lack goaltending experience. As we have seen many times before, goaltending wins in the playoffs and either of the accomplished Kraken’s veteran goaltenders, Martin Jones or Philipp Grubauer, will lead Seattle to its first-ever playoff-series win. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "STANLEY CUP FINAL PREDICTION", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Boston Bruins vs. Colorado Avalanche: Boston will take Colorado in six games. The best regular-season team does not always perform well in the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup. However, the Bruins have all the tools they need to make a long playoff run and win it all. Boston is strong at all positions, with star players like Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak ready to lead them to victory." } } ] }

VictoriaPaulus

Way-Too-Early NHL Playoff Predictions: Figuring Out the First Round