The playoffs are where stars are born, and this year one man has risen above the rest: Brady Tkachuk.
It’s probably not the way he originally drew it up, seeing as his team is nowhere near the playoffs, but Tkachuk is still having the time of his life anyways. He’s having a main-character moment cheering on his big brother — oftentimes triple-fisting some beverages — with the most immaculate vibes. There are eight teams grinding their way to Cup glory, but he has somehow become one of the biggest stories of the playoffs. It’s legendary, really.
Tkachuk is the focal point of hockey right now … and also these rankings. Sure, we talk a lot about the remaining eight and also eulogize the fallen eight, but the most important part of this week’s edition is not about that. It’s finding every team their own Brady from the other non-playoff teams.
We need more Bradies — not less.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Series: Tied 1-1 with St. Louis
Last week: 1
Dom rank: 1
Sean rank: 1
Dom: After Game 1, it really felt like the Avalanche might never lose again. They were absolutely flying all night and dominated the Blues from start to finish. The win felt inevitable. But with a win comes adjustments from the other side and Game 2 went very differently for Colorado. The Avalanche had little time and space and struggled to generate the same speed that made them so effective in Game 1.
Hopefully, it’s just a blip, but considering where we are (the second round) and Colorado’s biggest rival (the second round), it’s enough to be a little worried. Maybe it was unfair to actually expect Colorado to win every game, but the way the Avalanche were nullified is a bit concerning. It feels like there’s a blueprint to stopping them, one that Vegas executed to perfection last year and the Blues learned in Game 2. Can Colorado adjust for Game 3?
Sean: I’m not worried. I think it’d be pretty funny if they lost again, actually. That’s why the playoffs are fun. Do I think they’ll lose in the second round again? Would I bet on them to lose in the second round? No and no. But the fact that they lost Game 2 … chef’s kiss, my boy. Still, I’d bet on them solving Jordan Binnington at some point here. Not sure I want to dissect it any more than that.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
Series: Up 2-0 on Florida
Last week: 3
Dom rank: 2
Sean rank: 2
Dom: If you come for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs, you best not miss. Toronto learned that the hard way, losing two games that could have put the Lightning away. Now they’re Florida’s problem and even without Brayden Point they’re looking like a very big problem for the Panthers.
Tampa Bay has allowed just two goals in two games to the league’s best offence, limiting time and space as well as Florida’s ability to thread picture-perfect passes. The Panthers haven’t been able to do much and that’s only further hindered by Andrei Vasilevskiy being back on his game. He’s already saved 4.5 goals above expected in this series, picking up where he left off in Game 7 against the Leafs.
When he’s on, other teams don’t stand much of a chance, and now the Lightning are up 2-0 going back to their home rink. A three-peat is starting to look more and more likely.
Sean: Something tells me that the Panthers winning Games 1 and 2 wouldn’t have put the Lightning away, but whatever. The point is moot. It’s funny to think about how — or if — the Vasilevskiy narrative would’ve changed had the Leafs been able to finish him off in six games. They couldn’t, and now here we are.
It’s been a couple of hours since Ross Colton’s game-winning, last-second goal on Sergei Bobrovsky, and I’m still thinking about it. Not necessarily because of Colton’s part in it, either. That sequence is Exhibit A of the extra benefits to having a guy like Nikita Kucherov. MacKenzie Weegar was so terrified at the thought of Kucherov having the puck behind the net that he fully abandoned…
Read More: NHL power rankings: Playoff teams ranked 1-8 — plus a ‘Brady Tkachuk’ from every