This is Screen Shots, an ongoing THN.com column in which this writer tackles a few different hockey topics in a handful of paragraphs. Let’s get straight to it:
Wednesday night’s Colorado Avalanche win over the Dallas Stars gives a sliver of hope to Avs fans.
While it’s never a good idea to count out superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the fact is, for the first two periods of Game 5, the Stars were in a dead heat with Colorado. The third period was the difference, but Dallas remains in the driver’s seat in the series, and those of us who predicted the Stars would win this year’s Stanley Cup still have to be feeling good about that pick.
Indeed, with the adjustments that likely will be made by Dallas coach Peter DeBoer, it’s going to be extremely difficult for the Avalanche to avoid elimination.
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger didn’t have his best showing in Game 5, posting an .815 save percentage. However, in his previous three games, Oettinger had a .955 SP, and if he can get anywhere close to that in Game 6 (or a potential Game 7), the Avs’ high-octane offense will dry up, and Dallas will move on to the Western Conference final.
In the three games the Stars have won in this series, Dallas has limited Colorado to just five goals, and we’re of the belief that the Stars will be able to control the Avalanche’s offense in one of the final two series games that remain. The Avs are a plucky bunch, but Dallas is as well, and that’s why we expect the Stars to eventually move on to the Western final.
Related: Five NHL Players Making Big Impacts In Their First Playoffs
The Vancouver Canucks are in a tough battle with Edmonton in their Western semifinal series, and one of the reasons why the Oilers have fought back admirably is the performance of defenseman Evan Bouchard.
By contrast, Vancouver star blueliner Quinn Hughes went into the series as the best D-man, but Hughes has only produced four assists in four games against Edmonton. Contrast that with Bouchard, who has generated three goals and six points against the Canucks, and you can see part of why Edmonton has battled back to knot the series at two games apiece.
Related: ‘No Moment’s Too Big For Him’ — How Evan Bouchard Became the Oilers’ Most Reliable Defenseman
Hughes doesn’t need to singlehandedly carry the Canucks to victory, but if Vancouver is to make it to the Western final, Hughes has a big chance to show why he deserves to be a Norris Trophy winner.
This isn’t to take anything away from Bouchard, but Vancouver is paying Hughes a whole lot of money to help them win playoff games, and while he’s holding his ground, he can be even better than he’s been thus far.
Here’s a fun update on THN.com’s playoff fantasy pool.
In case you missed it, here is our mock draft before the playoffs:
Related: NHL Playoff Pool Mock Draft: McDavid or MacKinnon at No. 1 Overall?
As the second round nears a close, these are the standings:
1. Jonathan Tovell, 66 points. Six of his six players are still active in the playoffs. His picks of Bruins star David Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Devon Toews and Brent Burns are on the brink of elimination, but he’s had the top team to this point.
2. (tie) Michael Traikos, 65 points, five of six players still in playoffs, with Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen and Charlie McAvoy on the brink of elimination.
3. Jacob Stoller, 59 points, four of six players still in playoffs. Carolina’s Seth Jarvis is on the brink of elimination.
4. Jason Chen, 53 points, five of six players still in playoffs (All his remaining players need one win to advance to their respective Conference final.)
5. Ryan Kennedy, 50 points, five of six players still in the playoffs (Carolina’s Jake Guentzel, Sebastian Aho and Frederik Andersen are on the brink of elimination.)
6. Adam Proteau, 42 points, six of six players still in playoffs (with no players on the brink of elimination.)
Obviously, this writer was hoping for a better showing than that, but there’s still time for the Canucks and New York Rangers players he picked to pick up the slack and make a late push for the top of the rankings, especially surpassing the teams with Hurricanes and Oilers players if they lose their series. But this shows you how tough it can be to pick a solid fantasy team.
The standings can change dramatically after this round based on the players who are on the brink of elimination, as well as those still at risk, especially Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard, who are split among the top three playoff pool rosters currently.
Finally, we at The Hockey News send our condolences to the loved ones of longtime Canadian sports broadcaster Darren Dutchyshen, who passed away Wednesday at 57 years old. Tributes across the sports world have poured in for Dutchyshen, who was a mainstay with TSN and SportsCentre for more than three decades.
“A larger-than-life personality, Darren’s incredible sense of humor and magnetic energy made him a natural broadcaster who connected easily with viewers,” Bell Media senior vice-president Stewart Johnston said in a statement. “His enthusiasm reminded us every day of why we love sports.”
Darren Dutchyshen was a constant as I grew up obsessed with sports, watching Sportcentre multiple times over to ensure I didn't miss a score or highlight.
Dutchy was a true one-of-a-kind.
Sending my love to his family, friends, and everyone he impacted in his time. https://t.co/MHjNcWadZY
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) May 16, 2024
Find people in your life who will talk about you after you die the way people are talking about Darren Dutchyshen today. The outpouring has been overwhelming. Never knew Darren, but it's clear to me he had an enormous impact on the people who were privileged to call him a friend.
— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) May 16, 2024
❤️ heartbreaking news. RIP Dutchy https://t.co/ZkMpuojVwK
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 16, 2024
Oh no 🙁 RIP Dutchy. This is tragic news to wake up to https://t.co/jQZZODy8AF
— Avry's Sports Show (@Avry) May 16, 2024
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News Summary:
- Screen Shots: Will Quinn Hughes Outperform Evan Bouchard? Plus Stars vs. Avalanche and More
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.