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Some Random Thoughts On The Playoffs So Far & The Days Ahead

April 26, 2016, 12:27 PM ET [37 Comments]
Jared Crozier
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As the first round nears an end, with just one of the final eight to be decided, and the second round actually starting before the first round ends (what is this, the NBA?), I have some thoughts on what has happened so far and what will happen in the near future, some Senators related topics and some not.

* Kudos to those teams slaying a lot of demons - Sharks, Blues, Capitals all had something to prove before they could get to really proving themselves and all passed the first test. All want more and should have had more success in the past, but will one of them take the ultimate step?

* Pittsburgh vs Washington is going to be an epic series, and not just for the marquee matchup of Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin. It will be interesting to see if the young Penguins players that have made a name for themselves in the past two weeks - most notably Matt Murray, Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary - can do what Washington's younger players couldn't do in the past and that is get them through another round. Washington is older, more veteran than they were even last year, and that has helped them. Pittsburgh also added some vets and the leaders for both teams are going to lead the way. But the difference might be which team's youth (Andre Burakovsky and Evgeny Kuznetsov combined for 1 point in the first round) steps up and takes charge.

* I didn't sit and watch a ton of St. Louis games in the regular season, but I have one observation: Colton Parayko is a beast and what the Senators had hoped for from Jared Cowen lo those many years (and knee and hip injuries) ago. He is more mobile than Cowen probably ever was, but the injuries certainly reduced his mobility. Parayko is going to be dominant in this league as a 2 way defenseman for years.

* I also don't know if beating the Hawks was enough to save Ken Hitchcock's job, but I am not sure he is the right fit for the Senators even if he were available. Seeing Hitch's deployment and the way he used Vladimir Tarasenko, especially early on in the series, is concerning. Numerous sub -20 second shifts is not going to allow that peacock to fly and it is reminiscent of seeing Mike Hoffman sitting on the bench in a sour mood at times. It worked in the end though, so what do I know?

* The Hawks proved that you can only stay on top for so long. That defense was very thin and I can't see Trevor Van Riemsdyk being a top 4 defenseman on a contending team. The success and subsequent pay raises that go with it caught up with them and their depth suffered.

* Tampa wins a round without their captain and the talk starts about how they don't need Stamkos to win. I am not sure about that, and I think they will beat the Islanders without him, but if they meet in a third round matchup with the Pens or Caps, I am sure they would rather have him in the lineup.

* So much for loading up at the trade deadline. Most of the big names (Eric Staal, Andrew Ladd, Jiri Hudler, Kris Versteeg) that moved at the deadline are now on the sidelines. The best trade for the playoffs might have been David Perron and Carl Hagelin switching jerseys in January. Both have been much better in their new surroundings although Perron has yet to punch his ticket to round 2.

* It is nice to see Shane Prince get a shot with the Islanders and play a regular shift into the second round. Most think he wasn't given a fair shake in Ottawa and I think most fans wish him the best. He is playing a significant role in the Isles bottom 6, providing some speed and forechecking ability.

* I bet if he returns next season, Jaromir Jagr won't play as many games as he did this season. He looked tired and had trouble keeping pace in the playoffs, and if he had played 10-15 games less this season, especially after the Panthers had clinched a playoff spot, he might have been fresher. He is still strong as an ox with the puck though.

* Personally, without the Senators being there, I couldn't care less that there is no Canadian teams in the playoffs. The first round has been filled with tough, hard nosed hockey and has been thoroughly entertaining. San Jose - LA, Chicago - St. Louis, Washington - Philly were all nasty series that could take a bit of a toll on the winners. Ditto Anaheim - Nashville, and its not over yet. I certainly would not be cheering for Montreal or Toronto anyway if either happened to be in the playoffs just because they are Canadian based, so having them absent hasn't limited my ability to enjoy the hockey.

* Dallas might have slipped by Minnesota, but there are huge holes on that team, mainly in goal and I don't think they have an answer for what the Blues will have for them.

* There are two former Senators goalies in the second round...and it looks likely that both should advance to round 3 given the matchups they have.

* John Tavares might be the quietest superstar in the league, but seems to always be in the right place at the right time. I have never been the biggest Tavares fan in the world, but he showed a lot in the Panthers series.

* Remember when a 2 goal lead meant time to turn off the TV? Well no lead has been safe in this playoff season, with comebacks being the norm more often than not, and big momentum swings that make for exciting hockey.

Enjoy the last game of round 1 and the opener of round 2 tomorrow...There is going to be lots of action.
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