This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
The NHL regular season, if I recall correctly, began on a Wednesday. Now, the postseason begins on a Wednesday as well, giving me a chance to give my first-round picks before a single game is played. This allows me to maintain total integrity in my predictions when they go horribly awry.
Capitals v. Flyers: The Capitals were the best team in the regular season. The Flyers were the last team to clinch their playoff spot. Philly has good players, and very good goaltending, but Washington has been so good all season, I have to pick them. Capitals in six.
Panthers v. Islanders: I trust Roberto Luongo more than Jaroslav Halak or Thomas Greiss. Florida also has a deeper team, even if none of their players is quite as good as John Tavares. Plus, you can't play the "experience" card with either team, really, and if you want to, only one team has Jaromir Jagr. Panthers in five.
Penguins v. Rangers: The Rangers aren't actually a very good possession team, and Ryan McDonagh is hurt. The Penguins have been fine even without Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh was too good down the stretch to not believe in them. Penguins in six.
Lightning v. Red Wings: Tampa is without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman. If the Wings were a good team, I would pick them. However, based on their minus-13 goal differential on the season, and on watching them play all season, I cannot pick them with any confidence. In fact, I can't pick them at all. Lightning in seven.
Stars v. Wild: Neither team is anything to write home about in net, but Dallas has an amazing offense, and Minnesota does not. Dallas in six.
Ducks v. Predators: Anaheim got off to such a bad start to the season, but they ended up with the best record in the Pacific Division. However, I feel like this is a very close series. I like Nashville. They are a really good team. If they pull off the upset, I will not be surprised, but I will still take Anaheim. Ducks in seven.
Blues v. Blackhawks: The prevailing wisdom here may be that Chicago has all sorts of postseason success, while St. Louis does not. This Blackhawks team is less deep, though, and hasn't been as good. On the other hand, Patrick Kane won the Art Ross, and will probably win the Hart, and they will get Corey Crawford back. Plus, the higher seed isn't likely to win every series. Blackhawks in seven.
Kings v. Sharks: Los Angeles still has excellent possession numbers, and they still have Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick. In net, actually, is where I think the greatest difference is. Kings in six.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Red Wings (Jimmy Howard*) at Lightning (Ben Bishop), 7:00 PM
Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist) at Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury), 8:00 PM
Blackhawks (Corey Crawford) at Blues (Brian Elliott*), 9:30 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Red Wings
Johan Franzen, RW (concussion) – Out for season
Luke Glendening, RW (undisclosed) – Expected to play
Drew Miller, LW (lower-body) – Out 4-6 months
Lightning
Ryan Callahan, RW (lower-body) – Expected to play
Tyler Johnson, C (upper-body) – Practiced Tuesday, day-to-day
Nikita Kucherov, RW (foot) – Will play Tuesday
Steven Stamkos, C (blood clot) – Out 1-3 months
Anton Stralman, D (leg) – Out for season
Rangers
Dan Girardi, D (upper-body) – Expected to play
Henrik Lundqvist, G (illness) – Day-to-day
Ryan McDonagh, D (upper-body) – Out a few games
Viktor Stalberg, LW (lower-body) – Practiced Monday, expected to play
Mats Zuccarello, RW (lower-body) – Will play Wednesday
Penguins
Marc-Andre Fleury, G (concussion) – Game-time decision
Olli Maatta, D (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Evgeni Malkin, C (upper-body) – Day-to-day
Matt Murray, G (upper-body) – Day-to-day
Kevin Porter, C (ankle) – On injured reserve
Bryan Rust, RW (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Scott Wilson, LW (lower-body) – On injured reserve
Blackhawks
Duncan Keith, D (suspension) – Suspended for Game 1
Blues
David Backes, RW (lower-body) – Practiced Tuesday, expected to play
Troy Brouwer, RW (undisclosed) – Expected to play
Steve Ott, C (hamstring) – Day-to-day
Hot
Artemi Panarin, LW, CHI – Panarin is probably going to win the Calder, but, more importantly for fantasy player, he ended the year playing extremely well. He notched five goals and added eight assists in his last six games, meaning he was playing as well as any player when the regular season ended. If he can keep up the pace in the playoffs, he's going to be a real boon to any fantasy players this postseason.
Cold
Charlie Coyle, C, MIN – If the Wild are going to upset the stars, they need players like Coyle to step up. Unfortunately, based on how the regular season ended that's not likely. Coyle finished with 21 goals on the season, but zero of those came in his last 10 games, and in his last seven he had zero points. Considering Minnesota is also likely to not last very long in the postseason, steer clear of Coyle.
Recommended Pickup
Jonathan Drouin, LW, TAM – With all of Tampa Bay's injuries, some players are going to have to step up, which means you might be able to get a good deal for your postseason fantasy play by targeting a down the line Lightning player. Drouin is, at best, a polarizing player. However, there is a reason he was picked third overall, and, when he deigns to play, he is a talented player. In 21 games with the Lightning this season, he had 10 points, and he has a higher ceiling than, say, Alex Killorn, a fine player who is what he is. In terms of upside plays, Drouin may be the best one available this postseason.
