It's Simple for the Bolts: Let Vasilevskiy Win you the Series

 

By Mark Pukalo

Did not have time to put together a long blog on the start of another playoff run for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but decided to throw a few thoughts out there that won't fit in one tweet.

The first series against the Toronto Maple Leafs could go many ways. 

*The Lightning may revert to playoff form of the past two seasons while frustrating and shutting down the dangerous Leaves' offense. 

*It also may be Toronto's time to scare away all the ghosts of the past with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly showing their best side. 

*The Bolts could fall victim to the weight and mental fatigue of a lot of hockey over the past 2 1/2 years. They will need to match the hunger of their opponent.

*Toronto could wilt under the pressure of their fan base if they lose the first and/or second game of the series.

The keys to a move to the second round?

**Give up the same amount or fewer quality chances as the Leafs surrender. If you do that, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy will outplay Jack Campbell and win the series. If the Bolts get sloppy in their own end and give up too many prime chances, the Leafs will make them pay no matter who is in net.

**Win the special teams battle. Both squads have tremendous talent on the power play. The Bolts need to be able to kill off the key chances and capitalize when they get opportunities - especially early and late in the game.

**Mikhail Sergachev must be at his best in this series. The talented Russian can be a major factor at both ends of the ice, but he has to make smart plays in all three zones. 

**Know where Matthews is at all times. Make Marner and Bunting beat you if they can.

**It would be great if Brayden Point becomes a thorn in Toronto's side, especially if Steven Stamkos remains between Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. The Bolts can't just depend on Stammer, Kooch and Victor Hedman, Everyone must contribute and a pesky, healthy Pointer can get things done with anyone/

**Start games fast. While Toronto is not a shut down team with a lead, you really don't want to be chasing them because the tendency is to open up too much. They will love that. Sure, the Lightning can score with them, but chances back and forth is not a good recipe for success.

Simple, maybe. But I expect the Lightning to get the job done as long as they limit the bad turnovers.

East

Bruins over Canes

Rangers over Pens

Bolts over Leaves

Caps over Panthers

I will take a Rangers-Lightning conference final. But anything can happen

West

Avs over Preds

Wild over Blues

Flames over Stars

Oilers over Kings

I will take the Avs over the Oilers in the conference final. I dunno, one of these years Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are going to take Edmonton somewhere. Why not in 2022?

Enjoy playoff hockey!!