Eastern Conference Toronto Maple Leafs vs Carolina Hurricanes Spoiler: Lineups Maple Leafs Lineup: @Zigg989 - @MarcoGoes5H0LE - @viv Fritz viv @johnwaynee90 - @R0tes - @detee ef @Proud Gay Dad - @Franchise Matty - @JTresatti @Landy Byng - @Vaporize 17 @Joorrdan - @Lauxey @l3l Ray l8l - @BlG LEW 69 @Smellykickbutt @its Gallyy Hurricanes Lineup: @Malchesky - @mR Hit DaT - @Tendy @P0RT0V - @TheFunkyH - @The Gr8 Haxby @Ducksfanwaterloo - @Best in Ottawa - @Breaky @Foote - @GeT MuTeDD @JerseyDevils 27 - @daveydonuts522 @GIJoe Destro - @Skuttlebut @Perrilyzer1 @EgoKiller43 Spoiler: How They Got Here Toronto Maple Leafs: The Maple Leafs moved on only after edging out the Bruins in a game seven by a score of 3-2. They were dangerously close to being eliminated before their 3rd line scored late in the 3rd period in Game 6 to force a seventh game. The main reason that it went this far was Boston being able to defeat Toronto's top line twice in the first six games which will surely push that line to perform better next season. Most Important Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535767 Impact Player: @Joorrdan (LD) 3-0-0 6P 1G 5A +2 Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes were the big underdogs against the Canadiens with less than 1 out of 10 people picking them to win. As is true of any underdog, they had to pull of some upsets against the Canadiens which they would likely be forced to do as they were without home-ice advantage. They defeated the Canadiens 3rd line twice and were able to secure two wins against the Canadiens' second line which was one of the hottest lines during the regular season. They had a ton of line mixing which maybe helped them out giving them a bit of a different dynamic in each game. Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535758 Impact Player: @Breaky (RW) 2-0-0 6P 3G 3A +4 Spoiler: Prediction The Hurricanes are likely underdogs again. They proved that they have a bit more depth than maybe the community thought which will be tested again versus the Maple Leafs. The key will definitely be shutting down the Leafs' top line which looked vulnerable last series. The Leafs just need to follow their game plan. They surely like their chances in any game seven with home ice, but it's best to avoid any "best of one" scenarios. They need two wins from their West line and any combo of two other wins before a potential seventh game which should come from their top line if they can return to the dominance they had during the regular season. This looks like it could be a close series, but a couple bounces in one-goal games could change that. The Leafs might just to be too hard to overpower in a game seven, though. Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Rangers Spoiler: Lineups Flyers Lineup: @Sbass19 - @DeeSa Ali - @shmurds @iAMoee - @Dr Tre 2001 - @kcut @sh4rpshooterrr - @TehBass x 27 - @B0SS of B0SSES @Gwan - @AKA DA GIBBS @ka2good - @Sokastr7 @brandonbramanti - @Brassard x 16 @Mr Blain3r @Denisov x 42 Rangers Lineup: @NYR95 - @D4D USA - @Lyons x 63 @Vcek - @mferra32 - @Givemedings16 @l S4K l - @l Sakic l - @PieR Talent @Daddy Dill0n - @Lingross @Jaxx Pr - @Ragey23 @ScottLAX18 - @Big Wet May @BizyBounce @I KiLLTarTED I Spoiler: How They Got Here New York Rangers: The Rangers were 2 to 1 favorites over the Senators, and their star players showed why they had a majority vote among the community. The Rangers 3rd line lost both of their games being outscored 5-2, but the Senators top line wasn't able to win a game as the Rangers top two lines won all four. Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535771 Impact Player: @BizyBounce (G) 4-0 91.5 sv% 1.22 GAA 1 SO Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers' first round series saw a ton of close games. All but one game was decided by a single goal. They had the puck on their sticks much more often than not which inevitably led to them getting more chances and eventually more goals. The Flyers' had the timely goals: an overtime goal by @sh4rpshooterrr in Game 1, a go ahead goal in the 3rd period by @kcut in Game 2, a 3rd period goal by @kcut to force overtime in Game 3, and a game-winner in triple overtime by @Sbass19 in Game 4. They have the experience being in the playoffs multiple seasons in a row with a similar roster make-up. That experience paid off in the first round. Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535778 Impact Player: @Sbass19 (LW) 2-0-0 3P 2G 1A 1 3OT GWG Spoiler: Prediction These two teams have to have it out for each other. Both looks pretty deep on paper, but the Rangers might just have the edge at forward and goalie. The Flyers probably want to just go head-to-head and try to let their star players outplay New York's star players. The Rangers will line match to give themselves the best outcome, but no doubt they'll feel confident in any scenario. Most of them have won the cup before, some more than once, and the Flyers are just another team standing in the way to the ultimate goal. This Flyers' team seems more well-rounded than in the past, so I don't think they'll go away easy. It's just too hard to vote against the Rangers here. Prediction: New York Rangers in 7 Western Conference Colorado Avalanche vs Arizona Coyotes Spoiler: Lineups Avalanche Lineup: @NINETY ElGHT - @jared2112 - @TacTic MaRio @KovaIchuk x 17 - @Ksw - @King Saffy @Heroiism98 - @HyperDeezNutz - @LADYxR3DxBUSH @iTz x Luigi x - @ZuKe Zuchegno @Ix Lutvi xI - @Remi l9l @BlueLineKing7 - @FlowMaster Joe @HuskGoat @justdumpit Coyotes Lineup: @Moesof17john - @Gunwoat - @Antonucci x 15 @DDW4 - @Gilbzey - @Wesley Snip3zzz @Jumbo Jonesy - @JiggleJuiice - @xF a w s t @Chyeeet - @Yung Gren @l GET BUSY l - @BubbleKushZ @B L A M E x 67 - @UniqueSniperr @APsychicTaco @shutthegate Spoiler: How They Got Here The Avalanche played a Minnesota team that was pretty streaky during the regular season in the first round. The Wild needed wins of any kind, but it started to unravel a bit after the Avalanche came out on top after a duel of the top lines winning 1-0 in double overtime in Game 2. Colorado was just a little deeper on every line, and it propelled them forward. Colorado Avalanche: Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535790 Impact Player: @HyperDeezNutz (C) 2-0-0 5P 4G 1A +1 1 OT GWG Arizona Coyotes: The Coyotes had a surplus of confidence going into their series against the "best regular season team" the St Louis Blues. Splitting the games with the talented rookies of the Blues seemed to put the Coyotes way ahead even though it was a tied series. They would go on to win the next three games outscoring the Blues 9-4 and eliminating St Louis in 5 games. Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535782 Impact Player: @JiggleJuiice (C) 2-0-0 4P 3G 1A +2 Spoiler: Prediction The Avalanche are undoubtedly a much different team than the Blues. The Coyotes will stick to the same game plan, but a defense-heavy team like the Avalanche should be able to stifle offense enough to where there won't be much of trading chances going on. Arizona's top line will be deadly, but the same should be said about Colorado's top line. If the series comes down to Game 7, both teams will have to exorcise some of their Game 7 demons (fun fact: I lost a Game 7 under both owners!). I think Colorado's got a better chance to do it. Prediction: Colorado Avalanche in 7 Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings Spoiler: Lineups Ducks Lineup: @x1x Datsyuk x3x - @CaLL Me Jakoo - @Girgss @KosmicEA - @SweeT 9 LoU 84 - @Dangs92 @BTW8892 - @PapaSwayze - @Groulxz @GONGSH0W - @Odieeeeee @officialmark07 - @White_Knucklerz @Trocity V - @Haunted Avocado @Winston Payne @Berthiaume x 91 Kings Lineup: @Jumps x 66 - @SoY LoS 19 - @xI STR8iNK Ix @Shockz - @APX x 93 - @DopeSwagYOLO @ZacKrell - @xJLucas - @Kris Slomin @TurboYuri - @Mr WorldWlde 69 @stay_at_homed - @Dannyy Briere @J2tino16 - @Bomb2r @Big Tony 16 @GoldyIsBack Spoiler: How They Got Here Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks seemed like the stronger team for most of their series in the first round. They out-possessed the Predators by a decent margin over most of the series. A hat trick from @Arctic Blur and a mismatch against Anaheim's 3rd line provided the two Nashville wins. That only seemed to delay the inevitable as the Ducks eliminated the Predators in Game 6 with the winning goal coming early in the first from @KosmicEA . Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535801 Impact Player: @KosmicEA (LW) 2-0-0 6P 3G 3A +4 Los Angeles Kings: The Kings came flying out of the gate with two huge wins from their 3rd line against the Sharks. The Kings dropped the next three games, but they were able to force a Game 7 with a great Game 6 performance from their top line as they out-possessed the Sharks 3 to 1. Game 7 was essentially even possession-wise, but @Dannyy Briere was able to get loose twice in the games scoring two (somewhat fluky) goals and @Big Tony 16 shut the door as the Kings go on to win 2-0 in Game 7. Crucial Game: https://www.leaguegaming.com/forums.../league&action=league&page=game&gameid=535809 Impact Player: @Dannyy Briere (RD) 2P 2G 0A +1 Spoiler: Prediction The Kings' first line was performing well all series despite dropping a game, but the second line struggled to get going. If the Kings' can get another pair of big games from their third line, then they'll be in great shape. Though, that doesn't seem as likely against an Anaheim team that has been one of the best teams the last couple seasons. I think this one will still be a close affair depending on how Anaheim matches lines, but who has the edge in a Game 7? I think this might be the Ducks' year, but I also said that about Montreal... Prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 7
