Like a lot of people, I'm starting off 0-for-1 on my playoff predictions thanks to those pesky Vegas Golden Knights. There was a small part of me that wondered if they'd keep defying expectations in the postseason but I sure didn't expect that defense to allow just three goals in an entire series.
L.A. did outshoot Vegas in three of the four games. After all the unexpected storylines that have surrounded the Golden Knights this year we've now come back to where it all began: any expansion team that can build out from a three-time Cup winner like Marc-Andre Fleury is going to be in a class of its own.
After how Vegas owned the Canucks for most of the season, I'm happy to see them also succeeding against other teams. And even though I thought the Kings' grinding style would still work in the playoffs, I can't say that I'm all that sad to see them eliminated. This certainly ups the intrigue as far as a potential move from Drew Doughty as he approaches unrestricted free agency in a year's time.
Tonight, Anaheim's facing elimination after San Jose took a 3-0 series lead at the Shark Tank with an 8-1 massacre on Monday. The Ducks have managed just three goals in their series as well—and have quickly gone from looking rugged and battle-tested to old and undisciplined. I thought Anaheim would get enough offense from its young guns to make up for diminished production from Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry, but apparently I thought wrong.
I wonder if this is really the death of 'heavy hockey,' or if the issue is that its prime perpetrators on the Kings and Ducks are now past their best-before dates? We seem to be seeing some pretty physical play in some of the other series.
I was happy to see New Jersey, Colorado and Washington all fight back in their series. Cory Schneider and Braden Holtby both got back in net and picked up wins for their teams. The Devils, Avs and Flyers will all have the opportunity to even things up on home ice tonight.
Over in the Swedish playoffs, Elias Pettersson's up to his usual tricks:
Pettersson had a goal and two assists as his Vaxjo Lakers smoked Skelleftea 7-0 in Game 1 of the SHL Final on Tuesday. That gives him 5-7-12 in 10 playoff games, tied for top spot in the league's playoff scoring.
Pettersson gets namechecked in this rundown of the best playoff performances outside the NHL so far this year, from
Elite Prospects.
Back on this side of the Atlantic, the Canucks' last two junior prospects saw their seasons end on Tuesday when the Owen Sound Attack were knocked out of the second round of the OHL playoffs by the Soo Greyhounds in a 9-7 Game 7 barnburner.
Brett McKenzie, the Canucks' seventh-round pick from 2016, was acquired by Owen Sound in a mid-season trade. He finished out his playoffs in eighth place in OHL playoff scoring, tied for the lead on the Attack with 16 points in 11 games. Jonah Gadjovich was 2-2-4 in nine games.
After missing two games earlier in the series with an undisclosed injury, Gadjovich played on Tuesday—and scored.
Injuries also limited him to 42 regular-season games. He could join Utica for the playoffs but at this point, it sounds like rest and recovery is the preferred option.
As for Brett McKenzie, he finished strong with two goals and an assist on Tuesday, delivering exactly what his coached had hoped for.
After turning 21 in March, though, McKenzie may be an example of an older player who can put up good numbers at the junior level but won't be able to stay competitive as he moves up to pro. The Canucks haven't signed him yet: he'd need to be inked to a deal by June 1, or else he'll go back into the draft.
There's no immediate plan for McKenzie to report to Utica, either—and after being shorthanded due to injuries for a good part of the season, suddenly there isn't much available ice time. With all the other recent additions, the Comets currently have 22 FORWARDS on their active roster.
Nikolay Goldobin left the Comets' game on Sunday with an undisclosed injury and hasn't been practicing, so his status is uncertain.
The Comets' first round kicks off against the Marlies in Toronto on Saturday.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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