As the NBA and NHL playoffs march on to the next round, here are six blurbs that help describe and set up each series we now approach.
NBA
Celtics Heat, eastern conference finals: Defense. The old adage is that it wins championships, no one plays harder defense than these two teams. This is going to be a grinding, physical series that will ultimately be determined by who is tougher.
Ironically, in a series built around team play, the star who shines brighter might just push the scales as to who heads to the NBA finals. Jimmy Butler or Jason Tatum, a cemented top ten player or a young star looking to push his way into the conversation. This should be a good one, but ultimately the Heat have too many weapons, Heat in 7.
Warriors Mavericks, western conference finals: Two teams that at this point play the same style. Five out, shooting galore, small ball offense has taken the league by storm. This matchup pits the og’s of this philosophy in the Warriors against a team in Dallas that adapted to this strategy a few weeks before the playoffs started.
It helps to have the unstoppable force that is Luka Doncic on your roster. The Warriors losing Gary Payton the second hurts them, he provided a tenacious defender and a fifth quality shooter. Without him what does that group end up looking like?
Dallas currently has the best player remaining in these playoffs. The Warriors have a core with championship pedigree and experience. I expect Jordan Poole to fully arrive in this series it’s been hard to watch the Warriors this spring and not think, “Oh yeah, that’s a team heading back to the NBA finals.” Warriors in 6.
NHL
Avalanche Blues: The Blue’s depth emerged in their series with the Wild. Jordan Kyrou has emerged as a skilled center on the second and third lines that can consistently produce. Those in hockey front offices will tell you depth at center is the key to deep cup runs.
In a series against the deadly scoring Avs, the Blues can not put a liability like Ville Husso in net though or there is no chance they win the series. I’m an Avs fan, but I am extremely worried about this matchup, especially because of Saint Louis’s deadly top line and top end center depth. Avalanche in 6.
Lightning Panthers: The new aged NHL rivalry, two teams that really just don’t like each other. This is going to be a physical series. These are two incredibly physical teams as well. Tampa lead the playoffs with 306 hits in round one and Florida came in fourth place with 275 hits.
It’s really hard to pick against Jon Cooper’s Lightning. So I won’t be, but if anyone’s knocking off this team before the cup finals it’s the Florida Panthers. Lightning in 7
Calgary Edmonton: Another rivalry, the battle for Alberta. Basic hockey fan storylines here. Does a Canadian team here emerge and make a run to the cup? Can Connor McDavid take over once again, the way we saw him do in game 7?
Ultimately this comes down to who do I trust more in net? Jacob Markstrom or Mike Smith? Sure, it took 7 games for the Flames to prevail but Markstrom was incredible in the series against Dallas, he’s bee incredible all year and will be incredible again to take down the cursed Oilers. Flames in 7.
Rangers Canes: The Rangers scoring is starting to heat up, sure Igor Shesterkin looked limited in battle at points in the Penguins series, but this is where the kid can rise up.
Look the Canes don’t have stars, they have a team and that team can be neutralized by Adam Fox and Igor. Maybe I am just talking to my Rangers fan friends to much but I truly do believe the Rangers have a chance to run away with this series.
My favorite SI cover for hockey ever reads simply, Rangers spring, it is that time of year again. Rangers in 6.