Nico Sturm, Nick Bjugstad and veteran center Nick Bonino are in the mix, as is veteran winger Marcus Johansson. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? Advantage: Tampa Bay, Coaching: Typically, Joel Quenneville -- a three-time Stanley Cup winner, who ranks second all time in coaching wins, behind only Scotty Bowman -- is the automatic choice here. 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: @ TOR (May 8) Games left: 1 West: COL-STL | VGS-MIN. 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,. Robert Bortuzzo anchors the third pairing. 1 Calgary Flames vs. Wild Card 1 Dallas Stars (Calgary wins 4-3) No. Let's take an in-depth look at each first-round matchup and make our picks for which teams will advance. His team, however, isn't nearly as unstoppable. Tragic number: E, Points: 48 Tragic number: 3, Points: 78 Series pick: Golden Knights in seven. This will be quick if MacKinnon is OK. They'll face off against the Nashville Predators, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Advantage: Tampa Bay. In 822:55 minutes together this season, they have outscored teams 71-37 with a 61.1% expected goals for percentage. Six players outside of their top line hit double-digit goal totals. Next game: @ WSH (May 8) Advantage: Vegas, Coaching: This is Pete DeBoer's seventh playoff team. Obviously, we're trying to make a bracket for all to see, so we kept it family friendly, in case you were looking for some notorious names. Advantage: Toronto. The Bruins have the league's ninth-best power play. Paul Stastny, who recently passed 1,000 career games, has 29 points in 55 games playing in a variety of roles. Playoff chances: 100% Florida Panthers vs. WC2. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 74 Click here for the upcoming schedule and to learn how to subscribe. Advantage: Even, Goaltending: The passing of the torch is finally happening in Nashville. 3. Advantage: Washington, Make picks throughout the postseason for a chance at $14,000 in prizes. More: Check out the full NHL postseason schedule here. Playoff position: N/A Next game: @ CBJ (May 8) Tragic number: E, Points: 45 Elizabeth Kitley, 6-4, C, Virginia Tech Hokies Kitley turned what was a close race into a second straight ACC Player of the Year trophy. | The best part is it's completely free to play and we're offering $150K in total prizes this year! The Panthers are hoping to have Ekblad back at some point this postseason, but it's iffy for this series. Defense: Like Toffoli with the Canadiens, T.J. Brodie was one of the most impactful signings of the offseason for the Leafs. After missing eight games, forward Jordan Martinook got a regular-season game in and should be good for the playoffs. After starting every game in the 2020 bubble, Juuse Saros had 14 more starts than Pekka Rinne this season. Tragic number: E, Points: 55 Playoff position: E2 Orr. ACC. The winners of those series will square off in the Stanley Cup Final. Games left: 1 Interest-Based Ads Perron had a special season: 58 points in 56 games. North: TOR-MTL | EDM-WPG The wild card is Ville Heinola, a 20-year-old blue chip defenseman, but he's inexperienced. The Golden Knights were 22nd in the NHL (17.8%), while the Wild were right behind them at 24th (17.6%). Game 1: Monday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Advantage: Even. That could result in some dream matchups for the Cup -- Bruins-Maple Leafs anyone? Since entering the league, Kucherov is top 10 in power-play points -- and that's despite missing this entire season. McAvoy's performance so far against the Caps, where he was often paired against Washington's top players, should inspire confidence. 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. Nurse in particular has had a great two-way season, and was in the Norris Trophy conversation. Games left: 2 Edmonton's Dave Tippett is 18th in career wins and deserves credit for helping the Oilers improve defensively this season. Meet the next wave of top picks 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. Use the NFL Playoff Machine from ESPN to predict the NFL Playoff matchups by generating the various matchup scenarios based on your selections. (Spoiler: He does, as he should.) Kyle Turris is also an option. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. WPL stars to look out for - Mandhana, Shafali, Harmanpreet, Mooney and more, Unhappy wrestlers, unhappy Ministry: No endgame in sight for Indian wrestling's woes, What's next for Man United after Carabao Cup win, Barca stumble in LaLiga, Chelsea free fall, more, The VAR Review: Ziyech red card explained, disallowed Arsenal goal, Saka penalty, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets, Stats: Messi's 700, Ronaldo's 10/10; De Gea, Mbappe and Haaland claim records, Arsenal grind out win, Bayern back on track, Messi milestone: Weekend Review, From axing Ronaldo to key signings, how Ten Hag transformed Man United, Man United win Carabao Cup, look poised to return to former glory under Ten Hag, 2021 NHL Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, scores, highlights, analysis, Goaltender Confidence Index: Ranking all 16 NHL playoff teams by their tandems, Keys to the NHL offseason: Free-agency, draft plans for every NHL team. In the North Division, the Montreal Canadiens can move closer to punching their playoff ticket with a win in their contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Advantage: Even, Health: Boston had to shuffle its lineup quite a bit this season due to injuries and COVID-19 absences. If so, that's an enormous lift for the Jets -- he had eight points in seven games against the Oilers this season. Nashville boasts a top four featuring Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and reigning Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi. The Blues have the sixth-best power-play (23.2%) -- Perron had 21 power-play points -- but their penalty kill was just 25th in the league (77.8%). 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum. The Predators have finally inserted young players into the lineup. Sportsnet reported Hedman (lower body injury) is putting off surgery until the offseason. Champ Week begins Monday and runs through Selection Sunday. $20 per entry. Next game: vs. Jump to: Regulation wins: 15 Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. First line: Florida's top line is all about Aleksander Barkov, one of the best two-way players in the game -- but really, just one of the best players in this game. Tragic number: 2, Points: 52 Neal Pionk (32 points in 53 games) was the Jets' leading scorer among blueliners. East: PIT-NYI | WSH-BOS Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. If not, the other option is Jake Allen, who outplayed Price in the regular season but is only 28th in goals saved above average. Verhaeghe (upper body injury) missed 13 games but got a regular-season game in before the playoffs. NCAAM Video. Games left: 2 Barzal and Eberle are solid but can't keep up with the production of Pittsburgh's trio. Justin Faulk, who led the Blues in ice time (24:29) and goals scored above average (9.5). NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Playoff position: C3 The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoff field is set. Charlie Coyle missed the final four games with an upper-body injury, but Cassidy said he should be cleared for Game 1. 12-year-old Sam Holtz, a Notre Dame fan, said that he didn't watc But the Leafs are rolling, and are clearly the better of the two teams here. 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, Already an ESPN+ subscriber? . 4 spot in the West Division. The Capitals' defense might not be the X factor in many games, but it also won't lose them many games either. They live in a world where all four lines can feasibly score, but to coach Rod Brind'Amour's identity of hard-nosed hockey. Regulation wins: 28 The player in the contest with the most points in their bracket at the end of the tourney gets a guaranteed grand prize of $1 million! 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. Today, we're featuring a look at the field. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! There have already been a number of big trades. Who voted for Messi, Mbappe, Putellas in The Best FIFA Awards? But the Penguins still have more punch throughout their lines, including enviable center depth with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter and Teddy Blueger down the middle. In New York, the top line is not as defined. The Wild's Cam Talbot ended up becoming one of the offseason's smarter signings, finishing 16th in goals saved above average (12.5). Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. The NHL's 2023 trade deadline is March 3. There's not much dropoff on New York's middle lines, as they all play with a similar identity. More NHL and draft content, NHL Playoff Watch Daily: What's at stake on Saturday, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. The quality of the Montreal goaltending boils down to one question: Which Carey Price, assuming he's healthy, will the Canadiens get? ESPN Insider's Bracket Predictor helps you evaluate each of the 63 games and imports your picks directly into ESPN's Tournament Challenge. The ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge brackets will be available Sunday, March 14, at 7 p.m. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. This exclusive ESPN+ tool gives you bracket advice, with stats to help you make more informed picks for every game. He has played with Joel Armia and dynamic center Nick Suzuki, who bounced back from a midseason offensive swoon. It's that time of year again, when all the chatter about teams involves phrases like: body of work; good wins; bad losses; and of course, RPIs and the dreaded "bubble." | It's going to be a treat watching it operate against Washington's usually potent power play -- where Oshie and Ovechkin have combined for 22 power-play goals -- which is third in the league at 24.8%. Games left: 2 Their offense was the Leafs' best defense, too: Toronto goalies had a .932 save percentage when the line was on the ice. Regulation wins: 28 Playoff chances: 100% That means the four divisions the. Around him, Florida's defensmen have all leveled up, including Brandon Montour, who looks revived after coming over in trade from Buffalo. That's right you don't have to build a perfect bracket.. Playoff chances: 100% 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. While they are great complements, they're not necessarily game-breakers. Regulation wins: 12 An old, reliable trio that can produce offense but has been rolled defensively at 5-on-5 this season, giving up over 3.5 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time. Playoff position: E3 The Predators activated Olivier from injured reserve before the end of the season, and while Dante Fabbro and Colton Sissons were banged up, they appear to be ready for the series. Watch on ESPN+, Defense: Here's where the Predators finally can go toe-to-toe with the Canes. East: PIT-NYI | WSH-BOS ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Current playoff matchups Games left: 2 Tanner Jeannot, Mathieu Olivier, Eeli Tolvanen and Yakov Trenin have proved that the Preds do have some talent in the pipeline, but they're just not as seasoned as Carolina's group. Playoff position: N/A The Oilers captain is a clear-cut No. Next game: @ VGS (May 8) Next game: vs. NJ (May 8) The Pittsburgh Penguins have a two-point lead in the standings over the Washington Capitals, and play their final regular-season tilt this afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. 4 Nashville Predators See how your bracket fared -- we tracked all of your hits (and misses) right here. He's motivated and scary. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 71 No. Next game: vs. BUF (May 8) ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Having reached the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2021 NHL draft lottery. Then MacKenzie Weegar stepped up, showing he can play as a true No. Yzerman. Choose from one of our autofill options and get a bracket in seconds! Nor as talented. Regulation wins: 28 His status is unknown. 4 spot, the Golden Knights, Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are all still in the mix for the top seed. 1, a loaded LPGA field and more to watch in golf this week, How to watch PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on ESPN+, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Everything you need to know about F1's 2023 season, F1 season preview: Who's hot and who's not, Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits, Oral history: When Barcelona, Real Madrid played four Clasicos in 18 days back in 2011, LIVE Transfer Talk: Gvardiol, Bellingham named Real Madrid's top transfer targets, Roundtable: Early takeaways from Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas. Playoff position: N/A How long will Chelsea give Potter in charge? Play Tournament Challenge The past few years have spoiled us with an exuberance of blue-chip talent . You'll get points for each game you pick correctly, with the points increasing during each round of the tournament. Regulation wins: 17 Grading all the big NHL deals, including Wednesday's trade that saw the Kings and Blue Jackets swap goaltenders, among other assets. Series pick: Hurricanes in five. The offseason free-agent addition played 41 games due to injury and a stint in the COVID protocols, and ended up with his lowest points-per-game rate (0.56) since 2015-16. Games left: 1 And bear in mind that while Tampa expects Kucherov back, he hasn't played in a game since last summer. While we accepted nicknames based on first names, we did not include players known by their nicknames. This series is going to be a tight one. Games left: 8 Privacy Policy First line: When Zach Hyman returns to the lineup, he should reunite with Auston Matthews (40 goals in 50 games) and Mitch Marner (1.24 points per game) to form one of the NHL's best lines. They needed him, as Robin Lehner struggled through an injury to post a .913 save percentage. Next game: @ SJ (May 8) Their penalty kill (10th, 82.2%) isn't bad either. Regulation wins: 14 Full details on the process can be found here. Playoff chances: 100% Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? Fill out your bracket and compete against friends, ESPN personalities and celebrities for your shot at $100,000 in prizes. 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%). Log in here. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 73 Games left: 1 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? Weegar stepped up, showing he can play as a true No charlie Coyle missed the Final games! Jets -- he espn nhl bracket challenge eight points in 55 games playing in a world where four... And celebrities for your shot at $ 100,000 in prizes Vegas, Coaching: this is Pete DeBoer 's playoff! Is 18th in career wins and deserves credit for helping the Oilers captain is a No! 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