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. He had a .915 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average in winning 23 of 44 games. Nurse in particular has had a great two-way season, and was in the Norris Trophy conversation. Brett Kulak, rookie Alexander Romanov and trade deadline addition Jon Merrill are also options. They're a very good team and capable of the upset. 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. You'll get points for each game you pick correctly, with the points increasing during each round of the tournament. Lee won't be back for the postseason, but New York added Palmieri and Zajac at the deadline to help replace him. Defense: It has not been the smoothest transition for Alex Pietrangelo. The Greatest NHL Name Bracket: Bronco Horvath, Hakan Loob, Jaromir Jagr and more, 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? Go to ESPN.com/NHL or the ESPN App for up-to-the-minute NHL news, information and analysis, including premium editorial content by ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski, exclusively for ESPN+ subscribers. Modern international region, with players from outside of North American who were active for NHL franchises in the past dozen years. The Oilers captain is a clear-cut No. | Next game: @ BOS (May 8) Tragic number: E, Points: 47 Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. 1 selection. Children's Online Privacy Policy Playoff chances: 100% Sportsnet reported Hedman (lower body injury) is putting off surgery until the offseason. Game 1: Monday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. Note: Emily Kaplan previewed the East and Central, while Greg Wyshynski did the honors for the North and West. Playoff position: N/A Regulation wins: 16 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. Advantage: Carolina, Health: Viktor Arvidsson missed the final five games of the season, though Nashville lists him as "day-to-day" with an upper-body injury. Games left: 4 Washington Capitals (FLA 4-2) A2. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. Playoff position: N/A Regulation wins: 29 If he stumbles, the Bruins will turn to 22-year-old rookie Jeremy Swayman, who earned the backup role with a .945 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 starts. The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. Under this season's realignment, the playoffs will be division-based, with the top seed facing the fourth, the second facing the third and the . Tragic number: 3, Points: 78 Six players outside of their top line hit double-digit goal totals. Games left: 1 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. ESPN's Tournament Challenge is back for the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Tournament! Playoff chances: 100% Paired with Joel Edmundson, he could be a Norris Trophy contender. They're praying the same thing doesn't happen this postseason, as Jonas Johansson and Devan Dubnyk are the alternatives. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? ESPN Insider's Bracket Predictor helps you evaluate each of the 63 games and imports your picks directly into ESPN's Tournament Challenge. He has been solid the last two months of the season. 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. ET (TBS) Game 5:. 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. Advantage: Vegas. Make Your Picks, Defense: In a season when the Bruins' defense was supposed to regress -- thanks to significant turnover -- it didn't really. 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. First line: Teuvo Teravainen missed a bulk of the season as he recovered from a concussion, but now he's back. Playoff position: N1 At the peak period of entries shortly before the start of the first game today, fans registered more than 15,000 brackets per minute. Playoff chances: 0% 1 option. Champ Week begins Monday and runs through Selection Sunday. And the Jayhawks did it unlikely. Oh, and he led nearly this exact group to a Stanley Cup last year. Colton Parayko played through injuries this season, and his current pairing with Marco Scandella has an expected goals percentage of 43.5%. Tragic number: E, Points: 43 Playoff position: N2 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. As long as health holds up, the Lightning should win this. Get the latest NHL hockey news, scores, stats, standings, fantasy games, and more from ESPN. Vasilevskiy can be a workhorse, and he will be. Tragic number: 1, Points: 47 Advantage: Colorado, Coaching: Jared Bednar is one of the most underrated coaches in the NHL. Thank you for your interest in Qatar Bracket Challenge View Bracket Celebrity Brackets Paul Carr Argenti-YES rank 2K pct 99.7%. He'll have to be good, as rookie Kaapo Kahkonen couldn't build on a promising start, and really struggled down the stretch. Playoff chances: 0% Defenseman Matheson and forwards Brandon Tanev and Evan Rodrigues were all injured the past few weeks as well but are trending for returns. 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. 4 and No. Pittsburgh has been buoyed by surprise performances from Mike Matheson and especially Cody Ceci. Checking-line players Ryan Reaves and Tomas Nosek are working back from injury, and the Knights have relied on their trio with William Carrier for multiple seasons. While they are great complements, they're not necessarily game-breakers. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL. The official National Hockey League web site includes features, news, rosters, statistics, schedules, teams, live game radio broadcasts, and video clips. Play Tournament Challenge Second Chance. Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquired from Columbus for Patrik Laine earlier this season, had 20 points in 40 games. Games left: 1 Why Owen Power is the clear No. Here are some notable tools and articles to check out as the tournament moves along: Pick the correct champion for a chance to win a share of $50,000! In his absence, his regular linemates Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov posted a 56.00% expected goals for percentage. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum. There is no penalty for not filling-out all of your created brackets/entries with team selections or using them to enter into a group. For Montreal, Gallagher, Price and Weber could all return for the start of the series. Tragic number: N/A, Points: 73 Search. The Penguins have been dealing with injury issues all season but seem to be getting healthy at the right time. 4 spot in the West Division. Hedman's health is of concern, especially after a precipitous drop off in performance to end the season. The quality of the Montreal goaltending boils down to one question: Which Carey Price, assuming he's healthy, will the Canadiens get? 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, See Official Rules for full details. Play Tournament Challenge The past few years have spoiled us with an exuberance of blue-chip talent . Dayton has the chance to earn a "home" NCAA tournament game. He has had procedures now on his knee, leg and core. Regulation wins: 30 In another season, the Jets' line gets the nod. The Predators are comfortable starting either goalie, but Saros (.945 save percentage at 5-on-5, best among goalies with at least 15 starts) is the No. Wheeler, who reportedly played through a rib injury earlier this season, in particular, has struggled. 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. With the NHL playing in a four-division format this year for the regular season, the playoffs for the first two rounds, anyway will be intra-division. Tragic number: 2, Points: 52 If so, that's an enormous lift for the Jets -- he had eight points in seven games against the Oilers this season. Advantage: Even. 01:02. The B's are on pace for NHL records in wins and points, along with some individual superlatives as well. He has had linemates ranging from Dominik Kahun and Jesse Puljujarvi (an effective 61.8% expected goals percentage) to Leon Draisaitl to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to Kailer Yamamoto. 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. Malkin returned to get four regular-season games in (and notched four assists). Sign in to customize your ESPN experience. John Carlson and T.J. Oshie might also be nursing minor injuries. Bear saw time with Nurse this season too. Pick the correct champion for a chance to. Privacy Policy Tarasenko, who returned after his third shoulder surgery, had just four goals in 24 games. Advantage: Vegas, Coaching: This is Pete DeBoer's seventh playoff team. Instead, Koskinen has struggled while Smith posted a .924 save percentage in 31 games, placing 12th in goals saved above average (14.6). Tragic number: E, Points: 37 Playoff chances: 100% ET. Can the Lions fix their defense? They're first in expected goals on the power play (7.99 per 60 minutes). The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. When Washington hired Laviolette ahead of the season, it wanted to light a fire under the group and instill urgency. Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. The ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge brackets will be available Sunday, March 14, at 7 p.m. 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. 2021 NHL playoff series previews: First-round matchups, picks, From balloon-popping to Shooting WC bronze: 14-year-old Tilottama Sen is just getting started, Goa WTT Star Contender: Manika wins 3/3, Sharath out, Xavi: Madrid are favourites to win Copa Clasico, Harmanpreet to lead Mumbai Indians in WPL, Sources: Hakimi may play amid rape investigation, World Cup record holder Fontaine dies aged 89, National record holder Aishwarya Babu banned by NADA for four years, Ronaldo named Saudi League's Player of Month, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Jadeja ends frustrating day with rewards for perseverance, 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, WTT Star Contender: All you need to know about 2023 Goa edition, February's U23 hotlist: Leverkusen's Wirtz, Celta star Veiga, From 'League One level' to indispensable: How Saliba became key for Arsenal, Man City didn't look good in FA Cup win at Bristol but they're still treble favourites. 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