Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

This is a Quick update on the Quarterfinals Matchups in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs since a lot has changed since my last post. Eastern Conference Matchups BOS vs FLA Boston Bruins lead the series 3-2 In Game 4, Taylor Hall had 4 points, Linus Ullmark had 41 saves to lead the Bruins to a 6-2 victory, sending Florida to the Brink. Sergei Bobrovsky made 44 saves in a OT victory to stage off elimination in Game 5 to send the series home to Florida for a Game 6. Game 6 is tonight at 7:30pm on TNT/CBC CAR vs NYI Carolina Hurricanes lead series 3-2 The Hurricanes won Game 4, 4-1 behind two goals from Seth Jarvis, and the win also ended an 8 game road losing streak in the playoffs. In Game 5, with the Hurricanes trying to send the Islanders home for the summer, Ilya Sorokin had other ideas, making 34 saves in a 3-2 win. Game 6 is tonight at 7:00pm on TBS/SN360 NJ vs NYR New Jersey Devils lead series 3-2 After falling behind in a 2-0 hole in the series, the Devils won Game 3 in Overtime on a

 In my podcast, I talked about the observations I made about the 1st round matchups in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In this blog, I will give the 3 keys to victory for Each team. Check out my Podcast BOS vs FLA BOS Taylor Hall needs to continue to play like an impact player; he has been really noticeable whenever he is on the ice. Trade Deadline acquisitions like Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov need to step up and play more prominent roles on the team as long as Bergeron and Krejci remain out. Linus Ullmark needs to be consistent in net. FLA Aleksander Barkov has to be better; he has been shut down the entire series and if he doesn't have an exceptional game 5, the Panthers will lose. Florida needs to be better at moving the puck through the neutral zone; the Bruins feed off transition chances and will make. Florida wants to play with a Physical edge but they can't keep giving Boston powerplays because they have killed them on the Man advantage. CAR vs NYI CAR Stefan Noesen h

Full Preview Here are the series-by-series schedules for the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Eastern Conference First Round BOS vs FLA GM1: 4/17 @ 7:30 pm EST (ESPN, CBC) GM 2: 4/19 @ 7:30 pm EST (ESPN, CBC) GM 3: 4/21 @ 7:30 pm EST (TNT, CBC) GM 4: 4/23 @ 3:30 pm EST (TNB, SN1) GM 5: 4/26, TBA GM 6: 4/28, TBA GM 7: 4/30, TBA Predictions: Boston in 5 TOR vs TB GM 1: 4/18 @ 7:30 p.m EST (ESPN, CBC) GM 2: 4/20 @ 7 p.m EST (ESPN, CBC) GM 3: April 22 @ 7 p.m. ET ( TBS, CBC) GM 4: April 24 @ 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS, CBC) GM 5: April 27, TBA GM 6: April 29, TBA GM 7: May 1, TBA Predictions: TB win in 7 CAR vs NYI GM 1: 4/17 @ 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, SN360) GM 2: 4/19 @ 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, SN360) GM 3: 4/21 @ 7 p.m. ET (TBS, SN1) GM 4: 4/23 @ 1 p.m ET (TNT, SN360) GM 5: 4/25, TBA GM 6: 4/28 , TBA GM 7: 4/ 30, TBA Predictions: CAR in 5 NJ vs NYR GM 1: 4/18 @ 7 p.m. ET (TBS, SN360) GM 2: 4/20 @ 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS, SN360) GM 3: 4/22 @ 8 pm ET (ABC, SN1) GM 4: 4/24  @ 7 pm ET (ESPN, SN360) GM

 Here are some players to pick up for playoffs: Morgan Frost Morgan Frost has truly had a breakout year this season with the Philadelphia Flyers and has now fully taken over the role as the team's first-line center. Frost has 5 goals, 3 assists, 16 SOG, 65 faceoff wins, and a +2 rating in the last two weeks; he has dual eligibility at Center and Left-wing, making him more valuable in leagues that emphasize positions. Frost is ranked 59th overall in Fantasy and owned in 13% of leagues; consider pickup him up as an injury replacement. Alex Iafallo Alex Iafallo has been on a tear of late, putting up 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 PPP, 20 SOG, 2 GWG, and is a +3 in the next two weeks. Although Iafallo isn't featured in the top 6 for the LA Kings but are playing on the 1st PP unit. Iafallo is ranked 39th overall in fantasy and owned in only 6% of leagues; he is a player to own if you need more SOG and PPP. Cody Glass Cody Glass is quietly putting in good numbers for a Nashville Predators tea