Four teams compete for the crown in the Eastern Conference. The derby between two industry giants is increasing in Florida, while the defensive could be in the foreground in the series between Carolina and the Rangers. A preview of the second round of the NHL playoffs…
Schlüsselspieler: Carolinas Antti Raanta, Tampas Brayden Point und Florida Aaron Ekblad (v.li.)
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Florida Panthers – Tampa Bay Lightning
The initial situation: It’s the duel between two of the hottest title contenders in round two. On the one hand the Stanley Cup winners of the last two years from West Florida – on the other hand the Presidents’ Trophy winners of the last main round from the greater Miami area in the east of the southernmost US state.
The two teams faced each other last season, back then in round one. After a spectacular and high-scoring series, Tampa advanced 4-2 on their way to defending their title. Have the signs finally turned?
The staff: Tampa fears for one of its most important players. Brayden Point injured his leg early in game seven against the Maple Leafs and never returned to the ice. The strong attacker was also absent from training on Monday. Lightning coach Jon Cooper described his use in the game in Sunrise on Wednesday night (1 a.m. CEST) as “very questionable”.
With Mason Marchment, Florida also has to complain about a loss on the offensive, which, however, is nominally less serious.
The main round: Both teams won two games each, in Tampa first the Panthers won 4-1, then the Lightning 3-2 after overtime. The two games in Sunrise were particularly spectacular. At the end of 2021 Florida won 9:3, at the end of April Tampa retaliated in the same place with 8:4.
kicker tip: Point’s potential failure weighs heavily, this time Florida wins 4-2.
Carolina Hurricanes – New York Rangers
The initial situation: Both teams had a hard time with their experienced opponents in round one. Carolina only won in the seventh and decisive game against the experienced Boston Bruins, as did the Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins with three-time champions Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The latter even caught up a 1:3 series deficit.
Both clubs had previously made it through to the play-offs – mainly thanks to strong defences. The Hurricanes (202 goals conceded) and the Rangers (207) were the two main round teams with the fewest goals conceded in the entire NHL.
The staff: The status of number one keeper Frederik Andersen, who completely missed the first round, remained unclear. Number two Antti Raanta, who was also injured early in the series against Boston, made a quick comeback after a one-game break and was ultimately a deciding factor in the game as well.
The Rangers will be without Barclay Goodrow, who has had plenty of playoff experience with Tampa over the past two years, at least early in the series. The defensive striker was seen on crutches until the very end.
The main round: All four games only took place after the turn of the year. First Carolina won 6:3 at home, but then lost 0:2 in front of a home crowd. The two most recent duels in April at Madison Square Garden both went narrowly to the Hurricanes (4: 2, 4: 3).
kicker tip: If Raanta stays fit or even Andersen returns, Carolina will win 4-2.