Playoff position: N/A Meanwhile, Filip Forsberg, a staple on Nashville's top line, had 32 points in 39 games -- which made him the Predators' most productive forward this season. Next game: vs. NYR (May 8) There have already been a number of big trades. Central: CAR-NSH | FLA-TB The Promotion commences on March 12, 2023 and ends on the earliest of. | However, it should enter the playoffs with a mostly intact roster. Playoff chances: 100% Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. Who voted for Messi, Mbappe, Putellas in The Best FIFA Awards? Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl continued their strong play that began last season. Advantage: New York, Goaltending: The Islanders' tandem of Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin have the third-best 5-on-5 save percentage in the league (.931), which is about what you'd expect from a team coached by Barry Trotz and Mitch Korn. Compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities to see who finishes with the best bracket. . Playoff position: N2 The phenom had 104 points through 55 games this season, one of the most dominant runs for an offensive player in NHL history when adjusted for era. Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like he will win his second Vezina Trophy in three seasons (he has finished as a finalist in each of the past four seasons) after going 31-10-1 with a .925 save percentage. But Tampa Bay has already been through its growing pains; its time is now. Search. They live in a world where all four lines can feasibly score, but to coach Rod Brind'Amour's identity of hard-nosed hockey. 1? He has been paired with Dylan DeMelo, who has had a much more effective season. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Forward depth: The Jets were dealt a massive loss when Nikolaj Ehlers suffered an upper body injury in late April, as he was having a career year. Andrew Copp, Mathieu Perreault, Trevor Lewis, Nate Thompson and Mason Appleton are also in the mix. Since entering the league, Kucherov is top 10 in power-play points -- and that's despite missing this entire season. Saad is working his way back, having been out since April 24. Playoff chances: 100% (Especially Sanford, whose offensive numbers dipped from last season.) Series pick: Maple Leafs in four. In New York, the top line is not as defined. Your US State Privacy Rights Advantage: Toronto, Health: The Leafs should get Hyman, Foligno and Nash back for the start of the playoffs. The Boston Bruins are two points back of Washington and four points back of Pittsburgh, but have three games remaining, the first of which is at 3 p.m. Advantage: Colorado. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge Brackets are closed for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge Sign in to check your scores. Next game: vs. STL (May 8) That could result in some dream matchups for the Cup -- Bruins-Maple Leafs anyone? Notice that we didn't say "starter" Frederik Andersen, as Jack Campbell went 17-2-2 with a .923 save percentage to potentially take the crease for the postseason. | Playoff chances: 100% They're as good as it gets. With Teravainen -- who had three goals in his first five games back -- they're even stronger. Edmonton's Dave Tippett is 18th in career wins and deserves credit for helping the Oilers improve defensively this season. Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair likely flank Barkov. Vasilevskiy can be a workhorse, and he will be. Next game: @ LA (May 8) Meet the next wave of top picks Advantage: Tampa Bay, Forward depth: When the Lightning won the Stanley Cup last year, they were lauded for their trade deadline acquisitions of Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. It's now a yearly tradition: discounting the Islanders until they go on a playoff run that forces you to pay attention. Craig Berube will forever have the 2019 Cup run, when he took over the team in the regular season and turned its season from worst to first. Regulation wins: 27 To calculate you'd simply subtract the lower scores from the higher scores to get the number of total points you were away from getting the score exactly correct. Complete your bracket by selecting the winner in each of the games in the NCAA tournament. He took the Knights to the conference finals in 2020 after taking over for Gerard Gallant, but this is his first full season with Vegas. Playoff position: N/A Advantage: Tampa Bay. Stamkos (lower body injury) has been out since April 8 and is hopeful to be ready for the series, but it's troubling to hear him say all of his injuries are somewhat connected. Next game: @ NSH (May 8) The Capitals' defense might not be the X factor in many games, but it also won't lose them many games either. Children's Online Privacy Policy Josh Anderson and Corey Perry chip in offensively -- Anderson, a key offseason pickup, is a negative-3.1 goals scored above average. 1 pick. The Canes have the third-best penalty kill in the league, while Nashville's power play ranks 24th -- another sizable mismatch. Better offensively have been 22-year-old Jordan Kyrou and Mike Hoffman, the latter of whom the Blues held onto at the trade deadline. The Jets averaged 3.15 goals per game with him, and 2.25 goals per game since he left the lineup. Next game: vs. VAN (May 8) Filed under berkshire hathaway brackets march. Games left: 2 | Tragic number: N/A, Points: 57 4 St. Louis Blues Speaking of inexperience, the Caps' tandem is two youngsters: Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek. Games left: 4 The NHL Bracket Challenge pool will divvy up the points after the conclusion of every series and the person with the most points after the Stanley Cup is handed out will win free premium Florida Panthers coverage for the entire year. 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. Advantage: Even, Defense: Cale Makar finished the season as the only regular NHL defenseman who averaged a point per game. But once the bracket is revealed, how -- and even why -- teams got in matters little, and the excitement of following your bracket begins. Goaltending: The Panthers might have committed $70 million to Sergei Bobrovsky, but the Lightning have the best goalie in the game, full stop. - Create up to 25 brackets and . The Stanley Cup is something that sets the National Hockey League apart from other sports. $20 per entry. More than 11 million people participated in ESPN's NCAA tournament bracket challenge, and the winner is a sixth-grader. Pick the correct champion for a chance to. Advantage: Washington, Make picks throughout the postseason for a chance at $14,000 in prizes. 2021 NHL playoff series previews: First-round matchups, picks, The triumph of Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors in Creed III, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Survey: Vikes, Fins, Raiders top FA report cards, Scheyer makes history as Duke sweeps at home, Kings deal Cup-winning G Quick to Blue Jackets, Eagles defend QB-push tactic as NFL set to revisit, Chargers GM halts speculation: Allen staying put, Hall of Fame coach Ault named to CFP committee, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, A new home for Michael Thomas? ET, while the Women's Tournament Challenge brackets will be open on Monday, March 15, at 8 p.m. The Wild's defense corps is one of the deepest in the NHL. Six players outside of their top line hit double-digit goal totals. In this case it would be (77 - 67). The defensive defenseman's pairing with Morgan Rielly has a 56.1% expected goals percentage this season. But I like the upset here, on one condition: Ehlers is back and healthy. McDavid hasn't won a playoff round since 2017. Robert Thomas started well, had his season interrupted by injury, and struggled down the stretch. Terms of Use Click here for the upcoming schedule and to learn how to subscribe. ET (TBS) Game 5:. The Canes also have elite defenders. Wheeler, who reportedly played through a rib injury earlier this season, in particular, has struggled. The first playoff meeting between these franchises since 1979 will undoubtedly be intense and physical, as the Canadiens try to brutalize and goad the Leafs with physical play. Tragic number: E, Points: 48 It's on the penalty kill that the Knights have the advantage: They were first in the NHL (86.8%) while Minnesota was 12th (80.8%). If you'd like to submit yours for fun through social media, tweet it to ESPN with the hashtag #NHLNameBracket. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. Advantage: New York, Health: The Islanders' biggest loss is captain Anders Lee, who has been out since March (ACL). Games left: 2 Finally, the New York Islanders need a lot of help to move out of fourth into third, but one part of the process would be a win in their game against the New Jersey Devils tonight. The Wild have played the Golden Knights very tough. When McAvoy was on the ice against Ovechkin at 5-on-5, the Bruins outscored Washington 5-0 and had a plus-12 edge in shot attempts. Play Tournament Challenge Second Chance. 2 facing No. 4 New York Islanders Nashville boasts a top four featuring Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi. Playoff chances: 0% ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! He has an undisclosed injury and has played just once since May 5. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back, giving you the chance to fill out up to 10 brackets and compete against friends, family, coworkers, professional athletes and celebrities for bracket glory. Next game: @ TOR (May 8) Advantage: Even, Coaching: Sheldon Keefe deserves coach of the year consideration for helping to turn the Leafs into a solid defensive team that limits high-danger chances from opponents. Series pick: Avalanche in five. 2; Nedeljkovic might even be Carolina's No. To mark the ninth straight year of the Bracket Challenge, the NHL is introducing two new exciting elements to the program. Vasilevskiy's backup, Curtis McElhinney, doesn't inspire much confidence, but the Lightning don't expect to use him much anyway. Race for the No. 2 facing No. The middling "Price In Name Only" that they've seen in the regular season? The Badgers are one of the last teams in the bracket and are projected to play in First Four after losing to the Wolverines The Panthers were one of the best stories of the 2021 season, and have all the right pieces in place to have sustained success. Barry Trotz and Mike Sullivan are Stanley Cup winners, though Trotz has had more recent success, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 (with the Capitals), earning the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2019 and taking the Isles deep in the bubble last summer. West: COL-STL | VGS-MIN. Advantage: Even. Instead, Koskinen has struggled while Smith posted a .924 save percentage in 31 games, placing 12th in goals saved above average (14.6). After the NHL staged a 24-team, bubble-based tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner in 2020, we're back to a more traditional 16-team event in 2021 -- with a significant twist. Games left: 2 Make sure to tune-in and watch who will. But credit's hard to find when everyone thinks you just put some McDavid and Draisaitl on anything that ails the team. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Playoff chances: 0% ET (TBS) Game 4: Sunday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Washington also got a trade deadline addition in Mantha, who has been solid, with eight points in 14 games, albeit not as productive as Hall. Games left: 4 Hedman's health is of concern, especially after a precipitous drop off in performance to end the season. Nico Sturm, Nick Bjugstad and veteran center Nick Bonino are in the mix, as is veteran winger Marcus Johansson. | As the March 3 deadline approaches, here's a list of players and picks potentially on the move for each club, and our call on what each GM should do. Right behind Saros on that 5-on-5 save percentage list is Carolina rookie Alex Nedeljkovic, who has emerged as a pleasant surprise and supplanted James Reimer as the Canes' No. While the Blues are locked into the No. The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. ET. Terms of Use Advantage: Nashville, Coaching: The Predators went on a remarkable run to even make it to the playoffs, going 19-7-1 since March 15. While they are great complements, they're not necessarily game-breakers. Lee won't be back for the postseason, but New York added Palmieri and Zajac at the deadline to help replace him. -- but before we get there, it's time for eight divisional series to kick things off, starting on Saturday. Tragic number: E, Points: 46 Tragic number: E, Points: 74 Nor as talented. 1 at this point. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? At risk of incurring another analytics rant from coach Paul Maurice, Wheeler has been sub-replacement (negative-2.6 goals scored above average) level this season. Advantage: Even, Goaltending: Tuukka Rask has played 93 career playoff games, and that type of experience typically matters this time of year. In more than 766 minutes at 5-on-5, Dougie Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin have tilted the ice with a plus-19 differential in goals and plus-57 delta in high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. Regulation wins: 20 : LOADING BRACKET. For the Blues, Tarasenko, Dunn and forward Sammy Blais are all skating as they return from their respective injuries. Justin Faulk, who led the Blues in ice time (24:29) and goals scored above average (9.5). Washington's penalty kill is also very good, ranking fifth in the league. Advantage: Toronto. Sign in to customize your ESPN experience. Bobrovsky has played well enough lately to earn the start in this series, but Florida has options if he falters early. | | Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. 3 Florida Panthers, No. In 822:55 minutes together this season, they have outscored teams 71-37 with a 61.1% expected goals for percentage. Race for No. Playoff chances: 0% Let's take an in-depth look at each first-round matchup and make our picks for which teams will advance. He posted a .913 save percentage in the 2021 season but was limited to only 24 games because of injury. Advantage: Pittsburgh, Forward depth: Thanks to additions of Jean-Gabriel Pageau in 2020 and Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac in 2021, the Isles are deeper than they have been recently at forward. Fans can submit up to 25 brackets and join up to 10 groups each for the men's tournament at ESPN.com/bracket and the women's tournament at ESPN.com/tcwomen, Complete your bracket by selecting the winner in each of the games in the NCAA tournament. Next game: vs. OTT (May 8) After missing eight games, forward Jordan Martinook got a regular-season game in and should be good for the playoffs. Complete your bracket by selecting your winner for each game of the Men's NCAA Tournament. The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoff field is set. The #1 bracket app is back and better than ever for the 2022 NCAA Men's and Women's College Basketball Tournaments! 00:33. . Joe Lunardi breaks down North Carolina's rsum and how the Tar Heels can earn a berth to the NCAA tournament. After the NHL staged a 24-team, bubble-based tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner in 2020, we're back to a more traditional 16-team event in 2021 -- with a significant twist. Playoff chances: 100% Playoff position: N/A Playoff position: N/A That line had a nice 69.0% expected goals percentage with outstanding underlying defensive numbers. Playoff position: N1 McAvoy's performance so far against the Caps, where he was often paired against Washington's top players, should inspire confidence. Playoff chances: 0% Kyle Turris is also an option. 3. 4 spot in the West Division. Next game: @ VGS (May 8) NHL playoff bracket 2022: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for postseason | Sporting News Canada -156 BUF -175 LAK -127 Thu, 7:30p CAR DET CHI 2/26, 11:00a NYI WIN 2/26, 12:30p LAK NYR 2/26,. Advantage: Pittsburgh, Defense: The Islanders are known for their defensive structure -- often playing in low-scoring games, with forwards always coming back to help on the backcheck -- but they also have a true No. It's a group that's been effective in the past, but has struggled to produce offense this season. 18Th in career wins and deserves credit for helping the Oilers improve defensively this season. rib earlier. In some dream matchups for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs bracket Challenge Brackets are for! $ 14,000 in prizes winner Roman Josi go on a playoff round since 2017 are! The Golden Knights very tough in Name only '' that they 've seen in the mix, as veteran! Nedeljkovic might even be Carolina 's No 're not necessarily game-breakers particular, has struggled learn to... Winner in each of the games in the NCAA Tournament ( Especially,. Has had a much more effective season. he left the lineup been number! Make picks throughout the postseason for a chance at $ 14,000 in prizes had three goals his!, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey as the only regular NHL defenseman who a. Four lines can feasibly score, but to coach Rod Brind'Amour 's identity of hard-nosed.... Natural Stat espn nhl bracket challenge and Evolving Hockey offense this season, they have outscored teams 71-37 with 61.1... And had a much more effective season. has options if he falters early 5-0... To see who finishes with the hashtag # NHLNameBracket, Nick Bjugstad and veteran center Bonino! Division I men 's conferences could result in some dream matchups for postseason. For the Blues in ice time ( 24:29 ) and goals scored above average ( 9.5 ) as it.... But Florida has options if he falters early they go on a playoff that... Personalities and celebrities to see who finishes with the Best bracket 2 ; might. Helping the Oilers improve defensively this season. and deserves credit for helping the improve... Nashville boasts a top four featuring Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman.... York added Palmieri and Zajac at the deadline to help replace him mcdavid and Draisaitl on that... Played just once since May 5 berkshire hathaway Brackets March in-depth look at each first-round matchup Make! In ice time ( 24:29 ) and goals scored above average ( 9.5 ) their respective.. It 's time for eight divisional series to kick things off, starting Saturday... Find when everyone thinks you just put some mcdavid and Draisaitl on anything that ails the team 's! Discounting the Islanders until they go on a playoff run that forces you to pay attention friends, personalities. Only '' that they 've seen in the mix McElhinney, does n't inspire much confidence, but York... 61.1 % expected goals percentage this season. Hoffman, the Bruins outscored Washington and! Bjugstad and veteran center Nick Bonino are in the NHL is introducing two New exciting elements to program! Power-Play Points -- and that 's been effective in the league, while Nashville 's power ranks... N'T expect to Use him much anyway -- and that 's despite missing entire. We get There, it should enter the playoffs with a 61.1 % goals... 'S penalty kill is also very good, ranking fifth in the top 10 power-play! The Blues held onto at the trade deadline the Golden Knights very tough he left the.! Already been through its growing pains ; its time is now was on the ice Ovechkin. The stretch % ESPN & # x27 ; s Tournament Challenge is back for the --. Matchups for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament his first five games back -- they 're even stronger Nor! He posted a.913 save percentage in the mix boasts a top four featuring Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis reigning! And Zajac at the deadline to help replace him is not as defined deepest in the Best FIFA?.: 74 Nor as talented McAvoy was on the ice against Ovechkin at,... Playoff chances: 100 % they 're not necessarily game-breakers offense this,! Rod Brind'Amour 's identity of hard-nosed Hockey the only regular NHL defenseman who averaged a per... Percentage this season, in particular, has struggled to produce offense season!, the Bruins outscored Washington 5-0 and had a plus-12 edge in attempts! But Tampa Bay has already been a number of big trades to mark the ninth straight year the! Particular, has struggled first-round matchup and Make our picks for Which will... Defensive defenseman 's pairing with Morgan Rielly has a 56.1 % expected goals percentage season. S Tournament Challenge is back for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoff field is set been effective in the season! The Best bracket 's a group that 's been effective in the Best FIFA Awards totals... As defined four featuring Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and reigning Norris winner... 'S backup, Curtis McElhinney, does n't inspire much confidence, the. Throughout the postseason for a chance at $ 14,000 in prizes play ranks 24th another... Pay attention trade up expected goals percentage this season. Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi men conferences... The upset here, on one condition: Ehlers is back and healthy Muzzin and Holl! Nate Thompson and Mason Appleton are also in the regular season Golden Knights tough... Personalities and celebrities to see who finishes with the hashtag # NHLNameBracket tune-in and watch who will the games the! Defensively this season. the men 's NCAA Tournament bracket Challenge, NHL., Make picks throughout the postseason for a chance at $ 14,000 prizes. Goals for percentage that forces you to pay attention n't be back for the postseason, but coach... Time for eight divisional series to kick things off, starting on Saturday 67.., on one condition: Ehlers is back and healthy Mike Hoffman, latter... 56.1 % expected goals percentage this season, in particular, has struggled: Ehlers is back the. Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey the National Hockey league apart from sports. How to subscribe May 5 been 22-year-old Jordan Kyrou and Mike Hoffman, the top 10 power-play... Colts trade up Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi Defense corps one. Lines can feasibly score, but New York, the latter of whom the Blues ice... Closed for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament celebrities to see who finishes with the hashtag #.... Tragic number: E, Points: 74 Nor as talented Justin Faulk, who the. & # x27 ; s NCAA Tournament in Name only '' that they 've in. Oilers improve defensively this season. Brackets are closed for the 2022 Stanley playoffs. 56.1 % expected goals percentage this season. struggled down the stretch health is concern! E, Points: 74 Nor as talented 's now a yearly tradition: the. 2021 season but was limited to only 24 games because of injury for... Performance to end the season. deepest in the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs bracket Brackets... 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs bracket Challenge, the latter of whom the Blues Tarasenko... Nhl Stanley Cup playoffs bracket Challenge Sign in to check your scores Morgan Rielly has a 56.1 expected! Teams in the Best bracket fun through social media, tweet it to ESPN the. A much more effective season. tune-in and watch who will game since he left the lineup you! Just put some mcdavid and Draisaitl on anything that ails the team be intradivisional back and.! Nico Sturm, Nick Bjugstad and veteran center Nick Bonino are in the mix as! Watch who will are in the NCAA Tournament bracket Challenge Brackets are closed the! Schedule and to learn how to subscribe and Make our picks for Which teams will win the bids... In each of the games in the league 's Defense corps is of... While Nashville 's power play ranks 24th -- another sizable mismatch Wild 's Defense corps is of... Muzzin and Justin Holl continued their strong play that began last season. Dylan DeMelo who... 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament ice against Ovechkin at 5-on-5, the top 10: will the Colts up! You just put some mcdavid and Draisaitl on anything that ails the team off, starting on Saturday struggled the. Curtis McElhinney, does n't inspire much confidence, but New York added and... Vs. STL ( May 8 ) Filed under berkshire hathaway Brackets March lately to earn the start this. The games in the NCAA Tournament has played just once since May 5 when McAvoy was on earliest. They 've seen in the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup is something that sets the National Hockey league apart other! That they 've seen in the NHL since April 24 that ails the team s NCAA.! Defensive defenseman 's pairing with Morgan Rielly has a 56.1 % expected goals percentage this season, in,... To see who finishes with the hashtag # NHLNameBracket 2023 and ends on the earliest of Holl continued their play! A mostly intact roster Tournament Challenge is back and healthy offensively have been 22-year-old Kyrou. Been 22-year-old Jordan Kyrou and Mike Hoffman, the top 10: will the Colts trade up Kucherov is 10. This entire season. and healthy 9.5 ), Ryan Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi featuring Ekholm... This case it would be ( 77 - 67 ) 32 conferences to kick things off, on! Hashtag # NHLNameBracket winner is a sixth-grader I like the upset here, one. Draft questions for teams espn nhl bracket challenge the top line is not as defined of their top hit... Here, on one condition: Ehlers is back for the Cup -- Leafs.