Recent events that should change the way we analyze the upcoming NHL playoffs: Capitals Surge: Not all that long ago, we looked at the Washington Capitals possibly being the No. 8 team in the Eastern Conference. They looked ordinary, nothing like the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2018. Not anymore. The Capitals have won six out of their last seven. They’ve averaged 5.28 goals per game in those seven games. Four wins came against the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. They are 15-5-1 since March 3. They might catch the Penguins for third in the Metropolitan. This team does not look like an easy out in the playoffs.
Devastating loss: The Vegas Golden Knights’ 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils Monday night was a near-fatal blow as far as the playoffs are concerned. It feels like the Goldens will have to win their last five games to have any shot at making the playoffs. They are four points behind in the wild card races and they trail third-place Los Angeles by three points in the Pacific. The King’s last five games are against non-playoff teams. Who takes the fall if the Golden Knights miss the playoffs. Pete DeBoer will probably be the scapegoat, and that will be unfair.
Jarry’s Injury: Goalie Tristan Jarry is out week-to-week with a lower body injury. It has changed the outlook in Pittsburgh from optimistic to fingers-crossed. Jarry has played impressively this season and backup Casey DeSmith has caused fan worry. The Penguins aren’t the same confident, efficient bunch that were earlier in the season. Pittsburgh fans seem so worried it's hard to remember they have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They are 2-6 in their last eight. The Penguins are struggling.
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Panther power: The Florida Panthers have looked invincible in April. They are 10-0 and have scored four or more goals in nine of those games. They have averaged 5.3 goals per game in that span. The Panthers have given up eight goals in their last five wins. They are gritty, hard to play against. It seems wrong to say this about a team that still can't attract fans, but the Panthers look very much look like the team to beat.
Fleury Factor: The Minnesota Wild have been sneaky good this season. Nobody has paid much attention to the Wild while they were scoring 3.68 goals per game. Now they have Marc-Andre Fleury in net and everyone is paying attention. He’s 6-1 and boasts a .921 save percentage. He has given the Wild a booster shot of confidence.
Lightning fizzle: This team doesn’t look like the team that captured two consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Coach Jon Cooper's squad has won three out of four, but still seem disinterested in the final two weeks of the regular-season. The Lightning have lost to Toronto, Washington, Dallas, Boston and Montreal this month. Maybe they can just flick a switch and start dominating. But something seems out of sync with this team.