OUTSIDER SPORTS BUZZ: NHL WEEKLY REPORT
Welcome to Outsider Sports Buzz, NHL edition. Here we break down the biggest news over the course of the week and we give the Outsider Sports staff power rankings. The first round of Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially in the books. For this week’s report, we will focus on our picks for round two and our staff power rankings, ranking the remaining eight teams remaining. For the first round recap, click here.
Image credit to Derik Hamilton / AP
CTL 2 Dallas Stars vs WC1 Seattle Kraken
Ben Mandell: Dallas in 6
Mikey D: Dallas in 6
Tom Leone: Dallas in 6
Arianna Fariss: Dallas in 7
Parker Dorsey: Dallas in 6
Total: Dallas 5-0
ATL 2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs WC2 Florida Panthers
Ben Mandell: Toronto in 7
Mikey D: Florida in 7
Tom Leone: Toronto in 7
Arianna Fariss: Toronto in 7
Parker Dorsey: Florida in 7
Total: Toronto 3-2
PCF 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers
Ben Mandell: Edmonton in 7
Mikey D: Vegas in 7
Tom Leone: Vegas in 7
Arianna Fariss: Edmonton in 6
Parker Dorsey: Edmonton in 5
Total: Edmonton 3-2
MET 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs MET 2 New Jersey Devils
Ben Mandell: New Jersey in 6
Mikey D: New Jersey in 7
Tom Leone: New Jersey in 6
Arianna Fariss: Carolina in 6
Parker Dorsey: Carolina in 6
Total: New Jersey 3-2
OUTSIDER SPORTS POWER RANKINGS
Members of the Outsider Sports Hockey Podcast Tom Leone and Mikey D, myself and Outsider Sports writers Arianna Fariss and Parker Dorsey each provided rankings for the remaining teams in the NHL. How we ranked them? Where we ranked each team was by how many points assigned to them, with first getting eight points and eighth getting one point. The team with the most points is ranked first. How we ranked each team is underneath our rankings.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (34 points)
The Maple Leafs may have everything going their way. They finally escaped the first round for the first time since 2004 and they also won’t have to play the Boston Bruins in round two. Now the Panthers aren’t an easy opponent, but nobody wanted to see the best regular-season team in league history.
2. Edmonton Oilers (32 points)
The Oilers may have lost a couple of games to the Kings, but they were dominant the entire time and with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid this team is hard to match.
3. Vegas Golden Knights (30 points)
Vegas was the most dominant team in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They were blown out in game one, but bounced back with four-straight wins.
4. New Jersey Devils (25 points)
It was a grind for the Devils, but they made it through the Rangers. The nerves were obvious early, but after getting the win in game three and gaining confidence, New Jersey was back to flying around the ice and creating offense.
5. Carolina Hurricanes (19 points)
The Hurricanes showcased the same roadmap they’ve used to win playoff games in round one and it’ll certainly be in effect against New Jersey in round two. Injuries make things tough, but Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas are enough to make things happen.
6. Florida Panthers (17 points)
The Panthers were so impressive getting past Boston, especially in the last three games. Matthew Tkachuk may not be the captain of this team, but he is leading them in ways they’ve needed. That series alone is enough for me to stamp the Panthers as winners of last offseason’s trade.
7. Dallas Stars (16 points)
Dallas was awesome in round one and I’ve been saying for weeks now that they are the most complete team in the Central. Now the Stars make their bid to be atop the West, and with this group it's definitely possible.
8. Seattle Kraken (7 points)
Someone had to be at the bottom of this list, unfortunately for the Kraken, they drew it. But don’t get it twisted, Seattle was the best team in round one, controlling the defending champs and playing smart hockey. Like every other team here, they’ve earned it and they belong.
Also receiving votes: Dallas Stars (2 points)
How we ranked them:
Ben Mandell: Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes.
Tom Leone: New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Seattle Kraken.
Mikey D: Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes.
Arianna Fariss: Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Seattle Kraken.
Parker Dorsey: Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Seattle Kraken.