NHL Weekly Recap: April 17

Story posted April 18, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by James Morrison

More teams have clinched playoff berths this week as the playoffs approach.

Atlantic

The Panthers are running away with the division, and a player to watch out for in the playoffs is Mason Marchment who plays on a line with Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart.

Toronto is once again in the playoffs and if the Maple Leafs want to go far, they are going to have to get some offensive production from defenseman TJ Brodie.

The Lightning are back in the playoffs and a three-peat is entirely possible depending on how well Anthony Cirelli can shut down their opponents’ top lines.

Boston is once again in the playoffs and could face Toronto again and trade deadline acquisition Hampus Lindholm will prove to be a boost to a potential last run with the current core.

Metropolitan

The Hurricanes are fighting for the top spot in the Metro and a player who will need to step up if they want to make some noise is forward Max Domi.

The Rangers are also near the top spot and will need consistent production from winger Alexis Lafreniere.

Pittsburgh will need to monitor goaltender Tristan Jarry’s injury in the coming weeks, and if he can’t go it will be Casey DeSmith who has to step up.

Washington has not clinched yet, but most likely will, and winger Anthony Mantha will play a big role in this team’s success.

Central

The Avalanche are running away with the division, and they will need big psseasons from Andre Burakovsky and Valeri Nichushkin.

St. Louis just clinched the playoffs, and the Blues need Brayden Schenn to come alive.

The Wild will likely clinch a playoff berth soon and it will be interesting to see how Tyson Jost plays in the playoffs.

Nashville is being led by Roman Josi to a top Wild Card spot and it will likely continue down the stretch.

The Stars are still fighting for a spot, and they significantly lack depth scoring. That will need to change if they want to make the playoffs.

Pacific

Calgary is the only team to clinch from the Pacific so far and its third line of Blake Coleman, Calle Jarnkrok and Tyler Toffoli will be the x-factor for the playoffs.

The Oilers will likely make the playoffs, but secondary scoring will take this team far.

Los Angeles has stumbled recently and will need defenseman Matt Roy and Sean Durzi to step up if it wants to make the playoffs.

The Golden Knights just got Mark Stone back and will need William Karlsson to play up to his contract and score more goals in the playoffs than this season’s 11 in 60 days.

Vancouver has won five straight and is making a push for the final playoff spot. But center Bo Horvat is out so now they will need to fill that with production from guys like Vasily Podkolzin and Alex Chiasson.

 

James Morrison is a second-year majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.