What We've Learned About the Remaining Four Teams in the Playoffs:

Remaining Four Teams: Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders,  Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning

Vegas Golden Knights:

The Vegas Golden Knights have been nothing but stellar this postseason. They have a diverse group of players who are all able to complement each other extremely well on the ice.  As we all know, on the offensive side of the puck they are loaded. With big, talented, and goal-scoring players like Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault, and Max Pacioretty, the Knights have not failed to put the puck in the net. Additionally, their depth on offense is extremely recognizable, especially with players like Alex Tuch who is proving to be one of the best power forwards in the game. All around, their complementary players like Nick Cousins, Chandler Stephenson, and Ryan Reaves provide a perfect balance to a team with scoring ability, physicality, skill, and willingness to win. They are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this year. Tied 1-1 in their series with a defensive team like Dallas, we don’t see many reasons to believe why the Knights should not be favored to win the Cup this year. Especially with the capabilities of both their goaltenders in a compact playoff schedule, the Knights have tons of talent on both sides of the puck. In relation to their goalie situation, it is clear that Robin Lehner is a top tier goaltender in the NHL. While their other goalie Marc-Andre Fleury still might have a higher ceiling and a much better track record, those fans who are currently entreating coach Pete DeBoer to start Fleury are unjustified. While Fleury relies more on his reflexes and skill, Lehner uses his massive size to his advantage and has been the backbone of this Knights team when called upon. Lastly, their coach Peter DeBoer has done an excellent job with this team in his first year after surprisingly reviving the job. He has devised a perfect winning formula and style of play that should give Vegas fans reasons for optimism against Dallas and potentially their future Eastern Conference opponent. As Ryan Reaves put it, when the Knights are on their game there is no team that can compete with them. 

New York Islanders:

Similar to the Knights, the Islanders have learned a style of play and game plan that has allowed them to have success throughout this playoff format. Although they did not go through much adversity during the first two rounds, the Flyers definitely tested their limits. With one of the best coaches in the NHL, the Islanders have become a very difficult team to play against. Their ability to possess the puck in the offensive zone for ample time using their forecheck and offensive depth of four lines provides a touch job for the opposing defensemen. Evidently, the Islanders are extremely deep with speedy and large forwards. To their advantage, on some nights their fourth line is their most effective and productive on the team. In comparison, how many NHL teams have such a deep team like the Isles? Although many trade deadline transactions are usually overvalued, the addition of Jean-Gabriel Pageau has not been the case. He has been a perfect complement to a team needing a two-way third-line center. Also, veteran defensemen Andy Greene has also played a pivotal role in the Islanders’ playoff success. Like the other defensemen on this team, he resembles “Islanders hockey” of playing a physical, strong, and defensively sound game. Lastly, the Islanders also have many underrated offensive performers like Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey who surprisingly leads the team in scoring. Although down 2-0 against the Lightning, this Islanders team, lead by Mat Barzal and Anders Lee, has a lot of fight and team character. With the injuries of the Lightning piling up, it will take much energy for them to put the resilient and pesky Islanders away.

Dallas Stars:

Coming into this playoff format, we knew there were going to be many surprises. Although many people could’ve predicted the Dallas Stars’ success in these playoffs, I’m not sure many people could’ve predicted the Stars’ sudden offensive production. As we know, the Stars are similar to the Islanders in terms of their defensive success as a team. In fact, they were the best defensive team in the league this season. Without their starting goaltender Ben Bishop, both their team defense and solid goaltending have helped maintain their reputation as a strong defensive team. In recent years, with an aging core, the Stars have failed to get over the “hump” in the playoffs. With such concerns of their aging veterans, many people in the hockey world have pressed the need for the Stars to start rebuilding if they didn’t make a deep run this year. Fortunately, their offensive production has provided their veterans an adequate chance at the Stanley Cup this year. The team’s first line of Radulov, Seguin, and Benn have been able to offensively produce these past few months. Additionally, the free-agent singed Joe Pavelski is finally looking like the player the Stars thought he would be when he signed with the team last summer. Not only have their star players performed, but the teams’ depth has also been able to produce. Speedy players like Dennis Guirianov and Roope Hintz have provided adequate offensive production. With the uncertainty around their head coaching job this season, Rick Bowness and the Stars have really impressed so far. Having the qualities of a veteran team, the Stars will be a difficult opponent for the Golden Knights. If their goaltending and offensive production can hold up, there is no reason to doubt this team’s chances in Conference finals this round.

Tampa Bay Lightning:

This season, the Lightning are the epitome of a deep team. They truly resemble a team destined to win the Stanley Cup this season. After getting out in the first round last season, this team has made sure to add players that would enhance the teams’ physicality and veteran presence. By adding players like Patrick Maroon, Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, and Zack Bogesian this season the Lightning have become much less of a one-dimensional team. Rather than merely relying on skill, they have been much harder to play against these playoffs. Despite their injury concerns upfront without Steven Stamkos, many players on both sides of the puck have been able to step up. Additionally, their second-line center Brayden Point has proven that he is the real deal and should be considered a top 20 player in the league. Andrei Vasilevskiy, a top-five goaltender in the NHL, has been great when called upon. Additionally, their most effective player in Victor Hedman has furthered his case as the best defenseman in the league. On nights when the team has been fatigued, the Lightning have still been able to “grind” out multiple wins with the help of their new additions this season.

As we near closer to the end of these playoffs, other teams who have been eliminated should recognize the depth of these four teams. They must take a look and realize that in order to succeed in the playoffs, a team must have four truly productive lines that can produce. A team must have 7 capable defensemen who can be effective on any given night. Playoff hockey is a grind and this season it has been even more apparent that solid goaltending can significantly enhance a team’s chances of advancing this year.