Triple Play UK
UK based podcast discussing NFL, NHL & MLB.
Matt & Tom talk about their love of sports and all the hot topics from around the leagues.
Triple Play UK
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF SPECIAL
Matt & Tom preview the Stanley cup play offs
Who will progress in each round and be the Stanley cup winner in 2025?
Welcome to Triple Play uk, the UK's home of the N-F-L-N-H-L and MLB. Welcome to Triple Play UK. Today we have an NHL Special. We're gonna be previewing the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tom and I are gonna go back and forth our winners, then we're gonna have a look at the overall bracket and we're gonna come up with who we think is gonna win. how are you mate? How's your week been?
Tom:Yeah. Very good my friend. Very good looking. Forward to the playoffs starting, as they say over in the States, it's the hardest competition of all the big four sports over in the States. They do say it's the hardest competition to win because it's besides an 82 game regular season, you've now got a win. Going, sorry. Go into at least four rounds of playoff hockey if you're gonna win it all, and you've got to win four games. So it makes, it makes it for a, for a very exciting watch. I know we were talking about it before my blood pressure always goes up when the playoffs start because you think after years of watching it, I think the abs have made it sort of eight years in a row now and. You think after eight years in a row watching it, you'd be fine and you'd be relaxed. But game one comes round Saturday night and the heart's racing, you're ready to go. You're screaming at the TV with every decision the ref gets right or wrong. So yeah, it's great time. It is the best, it's the best form of NHL When it gets to playoff time,'cause it, everything comes a bit more lenient as well. The refs make slightly less, like more picky calls. They let the guys play and the best players on the planet usually come out and. Perform their best hockey. So yeah, really excited for it mate.
Matt:So I'm actually really jealous of you this time around because. You got to see the Yankees in the World Series. got to see the Eagles in the Super Bowl, and now you get to witness the AVEs, potentially go for a Stanley Cup, whereas my team's just not very good across the board base. So I'm a little bit jealous of you getting to watch the AAVs and follow the AAVs. Don't get me wrong. I mean, I'm invested in it. I'm looking forward to seeing how the AAVs get on. I think from my brackets, I've got. One team in particular, I've kind of flip flopped a little bit, so I've got one team in particular. I think actually they could do it. So as you said, the playoffs start this Saturday. So the first rounds kick off this Saturday with a couple of games. just before we get into it, just a few pointers. So the Jets won the President's trophy for the first time in their history this year. The last time a team won the President's trophy and the Stanley Cup was who? Tom
Tom:Chicago Blackhawks, wasn't it?
Matt:it was mate. Yeah. In 20 12, 20 13. So could it be the year that the Jets do it? The maple leaves are now the current longest playoff streak team with nine years after the Brewings fell out this year and the sends qualified for the first time in seven years. I. And then Panthers came third in the Atlantic Division to clinch a playoff spot after of heroic season last season. So the the Panthers are back in. we've got some great matchups, haven't we? Mate? This is really interesting this year.
Tom:Yeah, I, I'm looking at the matchups at the moment and just across the board. I think what's, I think really good to see is we haven't kind of had any teams. Kind of f across the line this year. The guys that have been in sort of first, second, third have sort of maintained their form for the majority of the season. You've had the guys that have been, and I think what's also good is, sorry, is that you get, then get the guys that come in, in the wild card spots, the likes of the blues, the sends, the the Canadians have all kind of come into the playoffs on a really good run of form. So it makes those kind of predictions a bit harder, whereas before you might have lined it up and gone. Oh, the caps dominated this season. They've got the Canadians in the first round. That's gonna be fairly straightforward and simple. I don't think it makes it that simple this time round'cause the teams are on really good form and I think it just makes for a lot more of an exciting first round. And we've got a lot of the teams are very evenly match this year. No one really. Kind of ran away with it. Even the under the jets won the president's trophy, but they weren't too far ahead of the others in the west. And the caps weren't too far ahead of everyone else in the east. I think there's, it is very, very evenly match this year. I think we could be in for some very long first rounds because I think, I think the teams are, the teams are gonna, like I said, be very evenly matched and they're gonna gonna produce some, gonna produce some very competitive hockey games. I think I'm looking forward to it.
Matt:Yeah, when I was reviewing all of the matchups. And having a look, sort of the history of some of these teams playoff game, they're head to head this season as well. I think there's very, very few of them have actually swept any of the teams that they're facing. So I do think there will be some very long series in this run up to the the next round. you are gonna have a look at the, the West, the four games in the West. Give me a view of the Jets against the blues then, mate.
Tom:so we'll start with a President's trophy versus the inform team in the west, in the St. Louis Blues. Obviously credit to the Blues came in with such a strong end to the finish after obviously starting really poorly. We touched on it the other day. I. Jim Montgomery kind of came in and just turned the season round for them, made them extremely defensive focused and just got the blues to a point where they are in a competitive spot. Now, I don't think anyone will wanna play the St. Louis Blues, but on the flip side of that, I think if there's one, I think that the Blues obviously would've taken anything at the point that were, when Jim Montgomery came in, just to make the playoffs. But I think if there's one team in the West you don't really wanna play, it is the team that goes and wins the president's trophy. Will they be the team that kind of breaks that curse since the Blackhawks did it in 1213? I kind of think, look, the Jets stay consistent all year won the President's trophy. And I kind of think the key to this matchup is gonna be in goal because I think offensively, yes, the jets are better, but they, apart from Kyle O'Connor, I, I don't think they've got anyone who's really. Gonna blow the blues out the water. Likewise, the blues on the other hand, again, Robert Thomas had a great end into the season, but again, the blues don't really have that kind of offensive firepower. This series is gonna be all about the defense to play and the goalies, and that kind is the performance of Con Hiller buck. He's the best goalie in the world for the Heart Memorial, I think I look at it like that, and I just think if he plays to his best. I think that the blues will struggle to win the series because I think it a lot of the time when a goalie performs better in the playoffs, I think that ends up being the big difference maker. What'd you, what'd you think, Matty? Where'd you kind of see it? Kind of see it lying? For these two, I.
Matt:The, Jets have had a great season, I think from the moment the season started. I think they were one of the teams. I said to you, I was like, they've really come outta the blocks. And I think at one point I did think they were gonna drop off, but they didn't. And they've maintained it. The blues, obviously, we didn't see them coming out. From where they were in the early part of the season and getting to this point, I did not see that coming until we sort of really looked at it. When we did our predictions, I think weeks ago, six weeks ago, they just sort of picked up momentum and kept going and going and going. And they've got that. They've got Jim Montgomery, who's well experienced. I think this is gonna be an interesting matchup, I think Jordan Bennington has had a great season and since the Four Nations, his form has been unreal. I think if he has a good sort of series, The Blue Standard Chance, however, I just think the Jets have had an unreal season and for me, I think the Jets will win the series eventually.
Tom:So yeah, on that. Then Matty, I've got. Down here where I think each team wins in terms of positional. So if, I mean, it kind of comes as no surprise they won the president's trophy, goalie matchups. I've got the jets winning defensive matchup. I've got the jets winning and offensive matchup. I've got the jets winning. So for me, the jets are progressing from this round. I've got jets in five. What about you? Who, who's, how many games is it taking for the jets to go through? Then if you think they're going, they're going onwards.
Matt:I think seven. I think it's gonna
Tom:Seven. Really?
Matt:go all the way, mate. Yeah, I think it'll go all the way. I think it'll be closer than people think.
Tom:Yeah. Do you know what I, I said it earlier. I, I think the blues are gonna be a really tough team to face. I just don't know if they're gonna have the offensive capabilities to be able to break down the gen, the jet. Sorry. So that's why I think it probably goes five. I think each game will be competitive. I don't think that it will necessarily be a blowout for the Jets.'cause I just don't think the blues are that kind of team anymore. And, but make, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes longer than five. I just think the Jets will have a bit too much for me. So I, I've got jets in five, but look, jets in seven. We will see how our how our rack up, how our bracket predictions end up going mate, what about you then? Let's head back over to the east then. We started with a top team in the west, so why don't you give us a preview for the top team in the east, the caps and the Canadians mate.
Matt:the caps, as you know, have had such a solid season. They led the way from the beginning. They had Ovy going for the goals record, which I think gave the caps some momentum throughout the whole season. It gave the team a real lift. I think the Canadians, They didn't start off too well. I think back in December they were second bottom. and they got into the playoffs. took them till I think one game with one game to go. It took them to kind of like cement it'cause they were being closely followed by the, the blue Jackets who we had when we did our predictions sort of eight, six weeks ago. We had them to get in there. We didn't see the Canadians getting in there so fair play to them. I'm gonna be honest, I think they're lucky to be there. but you know the fair place when they got there. However, me, their defending is not where it needs to be at this point in the season. They've conceded a hell of a lot of goals. They've conceded 265 goals, which is the heist of all the teams that are in the playoffs this season, and it's the heist by almost 30 goals. Which,, when you've got a team conceding that many goals against some of these other teams that you know, that don't concede that many, they score a hell of a lot more. It's a worry for me, in the head to head this season. The caps are two one over the Canadians. Guys haven't played each other in the playoffs since the oh nine 10 season, in which the Canadians actually won, four three. But the capitals for me are just gonna be too strong Avi's on fire. The team overall in all areas for me. I think the caps are gonna, are gonna win this one, and I think they'll win easy mate. I think it's gonna be four one. They'll, they'll do it in five.
Tom:I, to be honest, I tend to agree. I think it's great for the Canadians to have got their. First playoff appearance since kind of like the Covid bubble playoffs where they got to the Stanley Cup final. Yeah, I, I, I think the Canadians, it's one of those that they finish the season really strongly, so I, I don't, I'm not sure if I can completely write them out and, and maybe I'm sort of going against what I said earlier. I just think here, experience kind of comes into the fall when you've got players on the CAPS team. I. Like Ovechkin like Carlson who have been there, they've done it, they've won the Stanley Cup before. They're obviously veterans of the league. And I think, I just think the vibes around the capitals at the moment are so high and so positive after OV season and breaking the record, it, they just haven't slowed down. And I think, I think everyone was kind of waiting for this CAPS team to slow down and sort of not finish with a whimper but kind of tail off towards the end of the season.'cause no one really probably had them up there as doing as well as they did. But it just hasn't happened, and I'm not sure if I can actually see it happening as well. So I I'm like you as much as I, I'm going against what I said earlier where I don't think it'll be easy, and I'm not saying the games themselves will be easy, but I, I've actually got caps in four for this. I, I think they'll do this in four games. I, I can't see the Canadians really being able to make too much of a dent in the capital's armor in this round. So I, I've, I've got them going through and for.
Matt:we seem to be agreeing up to now mate. Give me the abs versus the stars mate.
Tom:the grudge match, I think the matchup in my personal opinion, that I think everyone is gonna be tuning into to watch. I think it, it is the best matchup of the playoffs in round one. Anyway, I. It's the best matchup we've got because you've got such evenly matched teams from, from this season. Very similar records, very similar in terms of goal scored, goals against. You've got offensive firepower, you've got defensive prowess, you've got goal tenders that have had good seasons as well, so. Oh, it's just, it's one of those where it's gonna be very, very tough to call obviously the ranon and grudge match versus on the opposite side of it. This year, obviously the stars knocked the abs out last year in the playoffs, which was heartbreaking for myself. But look, Meko Ranon, and he's the talking point, 88 points in 82 games played this year, 32 goals, 56 assist in his 20 games with Dallas. He picked up five goals and 13 assists. So. Little bit better than is obviously a stint with the canes, which obviously just was never gonna go well. The abs with a slightly better record in the regular season two and one in the matchup. But the stars are struggling a little bit now. They've kind of come into this, and I know teams are resting players and there's injuries and so on and so forth, but the stars lost seven straight games. To end the season and in the last game of the season, Jason Robertson also picking up an injury, left the stadium in a brace around his knee, which is not good news for the stars, considering they've already got Miro Haken in out, which is a massive loss on the back end, especially when you're playing a team like the Abs who have just got so much offensive firepower. I think it's gonna be a really interesting, interesting series because you've got the grudge with Meko ran. Gabriel Landes Gold coming back for the AVEs, which is massive. The captain returning that presence in the dressing room that lead her out on the ice. And by the way, just on a separate note, unbelievable to see what a journey the man's been on, I think two years he's been out the game trying to come back from this injury. And to see that he's gonna be back out on the ice for the series against the stars. I just pray regardless of the results in the games, I just pray it goes well for him. He's able to get through these series. And he is able to finally come back and, and start playing his hockey again. So that's, that's massive to see. I said a little while ago when I'm kind of doing my predictions for it, that I had the stars winning it all. I think with the injuries they've picked up and kind of the way they've finished the season, I'm not a hundred percent sure on that anymore. Matty, before I kind of give my predictions on how this goes, what's your take on this series?
Matt:This is probably the one I'm most looking forward to just because of the Ranon situation. Both teams, because of that one player, are not gonna lose, the avs aren't gonna wanna lose to Ranon. The stars are gonna want to win. For Ranon. it's gonna be great to watch, mate, you know, the needle between the, the players and the fans and Ranton, this is what we live for, you know, this sort of atmosphere. I think the head, like you said, the head-to-head, the AVEs are ahead. Are gonna wanna, get a little bit of payback for, last season. the last two meetings in the playoffs, the abs have lost, haven't they? So abs are gonna want pay it back and I think the stars are starting to drop off at the wrong time for me. they've got some, some injuries like you said. but Gabriel Landscope coming back now, what a massive boost that is. Getting the captain back. He's probably gonna miss the first two games, I think. He's gonna sit them out, but. having somebody like that in the dressing room after two years out, is just a massive boost. and for, I think based on those couple of factors, you know, the stars dropping off the injuries, Lando scope coming back for the AAVs, you know, and the AAVs did really well with their business in the trades and over the trade deadline. I think the abs are gonna are gonna do it and I think they'll do it in six mate.
Tom:look, I don't want to be too kind of biased or, or have my abs pat on. With this kind of thing. And like I said, I actually did have the stars as potentially winning it all and knocking us out. But I do just think the way the stars have kind of finished the season off. I know that kind of goes out the window when it gets into playoffs, but it does sometimes play a factor in it. If you are not winning games and then you go into a playoff, and especially if the AVEs take game one, then all of a sudden that's eight games in a row, the stars have dropped and that kind of losing mentality kind of gets ingrained and you start worrying where's this next wing gonna come from? And you don't have time to find it in the playoffs. So. Could be a factor, I think, look, it's gonna be very evenly matched. Like when I, again, I do my kind of position, by position I mean the goalies. I, I do Edge Dallas. I think Inger and Mackenzie Blackwood have had great seasons individually. But I do just think Jake often just got that he's just got more playoff experience. Mackenzie Blackwoods never played a playoff game, so I think that's a bit of a factor for me. Defense. I do give to the AAVs because I do just think McKinnon and Macka, and obviously on the backend macka are gonna be such a big difference in this series because the stars don't have that. If you pardon the pun, that star Power, they've got a very well-rounded team, but I think the ABS have got, with McKinnon and Mackay, you've got maybe two of arguably the F three or four best players in the whole league playing on one team. So I think that is a big difference. And then forwards, I've got that as a tie. I think. Look, I think if you're just going off of your star power, like I said, look, McKinnon's the best player on the ice for any team, but. I think the, the stars and the AVEs have got really good depth in the forward positions. They get scoring from all their lines. So I think that I kind of have that as a tie. But I do just think with the injuries and momentum, and I'm gonna be a little bit biased, I've kind of changed my tune towards it. I think the AVEs go through, and again, I think the AVEs go through in six, maybe seven. But I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna go with what you've got there. I'm gonna go absent, absent six for this one. We get our revenge.
Matt:Hopefully you do, mate. Hopefully you do. right, we're going with, Maple Leafs and the Senators now. and the Maple Leafs. I'll be honest, this is one team that I now have an eye on. You know, I'm really starting to look at them as potential winners overall. the buzz and the hype around. Leafs breaking the curse this year is off the chart. I've gone down so many rabbit holes this last week, mate, looking into their history, looking into their history the playoffs, and just listening to X players. it's just unreal and fans getting behind them. They topped the Atlantic Division after the Panthers led for so long. So they really sort of turned a corner. The Panthers dropped off and the the leaves just sort of went all out. the sends obviously had the wild card place in the back for a while. So both teams quite consistent over the season. This is the first time in over 20 years now that these two will meet in a playoff. So I think quite a few fans are looking forward to this, this battle. They've played three times this season and the head to head is Maple Leafs three zero. I think in this one the Leafs are gonna be too strong for the sends. I'll be honest, I don't think it'll be a sweep, but I think again, this one in five.
Tom:Yeah, no. Interesting. I I, I dunno, with the maple leaf, I just think I let the maple leaf do this every season where they kind of have a bit of like a, a good start. Then a bit of a shaky patch finish strong, and I feel like each happens every single year, and the result ends up being the same. They either don't get out the first round or they get to the second round and have a disappointing loss. And, and if I'm honest with you, I just un until they go and prove me wrong. I don't see it being any other way. I think the sends have picked up really good form towards the end of the season, I think as have the leaves. But I do just think that this is probably the worst matchup for the leaves. I actually think the leaves would've been better off if they'd got a stronger side in the, I. In sort of in the match of, I think the leaves would've actually been better off coming second or third and having to play someone like a Panthers or a lightning, because I think they would maybe perform better because the expectation on them to go through is slightly less, and the leaves tend to crumble a lot more when they play teams that. They're expected to beat. So I've actually, for the first time, I've actually gone on the opposite end to you, Matty, and I think the sends go through in this one, and I actually think the sends go through in six as well. I don't even think it goes to seven games. I think the Leafs will, will crumble, will fall apart like they usually do. I think they'll have a couple of games where they look strong. But yeah, I think the send the, I think the sends momentum carries'em through and I think they go through in six.
Matt:Interesting. Well, we'll see, mate. I'm, I'm surprised there. I, I genuinely thought you'd go the Leafs, but. We'll see. We'll watch that one very closely. golden Knights Wild. What's your thoughts?
Tom:Yeah. Good. Again, another good, good matchup. The wild kind of surprised me this year because when they picked up sort of the injuries and especially the big ones, ac cruel kof, I was really kind of expecting them to tail off and I, I wasn't even sure if they'd hold onto a wild card spot. They managed to do it in the end. But look, the, the, the Golden Knights. This, this, for me is a bit of a, a hate watch match. I don't like either of the teams as an Navs fan. I've never obviously bad record against the Knights in the playoffs. Bad memories of facing the wild in the playoffs from when I was younger. So this is like a pick, you pick your lesser of two evils as who you'd want to go through. I think it's hard. Look, eel and stone are big factors for the Golden Knights. So Eel's been brilliant since he joined the Knights and again, puts up another big season, 94 points. Obviously won the cup since he's been there as well. But then like I said, look, K Capriol was on track for a heart trophy season before he picks up the injury, comes back towards the end of the season, kind of finds his form again, which I think is massive for the wild. My. K. My kind of thing around it is again, where we kind of go back to what we've said. A lot of the episodes on here when we're talking about teams matching up, is how big defense is when it comes to winning championships. And the Golden Knights have got the third best defense in the whole league in terms of goals against, whereas the wild have got kind of a negative differential on kind of looking at the matchups. And I, I think that Aiden Hill had a better season than Mark Andre Flurry, but Flurry has got that playoff experience. I'd maybe give that a tie. Maybe Edge Golden Knights in terms of the season. But look, you, mark Andre Flurry seems to perform in the biggest game, so I I, I could never maybe sort of back against him, but then you look at the other positions, defense, the Golden Knights are, are very much ahead and offensively. The Golden Knights are very much ahead. So I, I can't see it going any other way than sort of Vegas taking this in six sort of five or six games. I'm going Vegas in six, but the wild could, could surprise me, but. I just don't see it happening yourself. Are you, are you, are you in agreement there? Do you think this is a, a Golden Night series or do you think the world might, might cause an upset?
Matt:No, I don't, I don't see anything other than a Golden Knights win, to be honest. The past seasons, guys have played. the Wild have only beaten the Golden Knights twice in regular season losing tent. So the, the Knights seemed to have the wilds number most of the time. they last played each other in the first round in 2021, where the Golden Knights won it. Four three, I think it will be, I think they'll do it in this time around. I think there'd be less competition this time. Golden Knights for me as well, mate.
Tom:seems to be on the same wavelength here with our with our predictions so far apart from the apart from the Maple leaf sends. Let's see if we, if we kind of match up then. So kind of going over to your division and the canes and the devils obviously, unfortunately the Rangers didn't make it this year but two teams kind of coming out of that one there. How would you kind of see that one matching up? Because you quite a good matchup there actually with the, with the hurricanes and the devils. How'd you kind of see it going?
Matt:Yeah, this one's gonna be an interesting one. I think. So the devils are back in the playoffs after missing out last year. obviously finished second in their group, behind the caps. The devils I think, although they finished behind the hurricanes, I. When you look at their seasons, I think for me the devils have had a better season. improved massively on last year. However, home form is a concern for me. They only won 19 of the homes. and the canes, you know, despite the Miko, ranton, and debacle. know, that didn't sort of derail their single head to head there. Two, two playoffs, they've only played five times in the last 25 years. The most recent one was 2023, the canes did them in five. The devil's, they're one of those teams. They're just, when they're on fire, they're, they're unstoppable. But I haven't really seen. from them this season. They had a good season by their standards over the last couple of years, but I don't see anything other than a hurricanes win. And I think again, it'll be done in five.
Tom:Yeah, I, I think this one's, I think this one's the, the kind of one where I, I can see it. Me, I actually thi see this going a bit further. When I was initially doing this, I kind of had, I was going a little bit heavy towards the canes, but like you said, it, it's actually, I. The form that we've got here, the devil's home form isn't great. Obviously 1917 and five, so actually lost more games than one at home, which is not good. But then you compare that to the hurricanes who are one of the only teams in the league who had single digit losses in terms of regular, in terms of regular time losses at home to 31 9 and one. So only lost 10 of the 41 home games as a whole. But then. The hurricanes record away from home for a playoff team is pretty poor. 16, 21 and four, so that's not good. So I actually have this going seven games purely because I think it comes down to the home games because I think both teams. Are gonna struggle a little bit on the road with the records that they've got and how, and sort of especially how strong the canes are at home. And I think because the Canes have got the home seed and have got home ice advantage, I have got the canes going through. Initially I had them going through a bit sooner, but I did see their, their road record and thought. That doesn't fill me with confidence. So I've got the canes through, but this is the first one that I've got going sort of all seven games. So I've got Canes through, but I've got Canes in seven in this one. And I think purely down to the fact that they've got the home ice advantage. And I think those games at home for the Canes where they are so strong are gonna make the difference eventually.
Matt:And then the final game in your division, you got the kings against the Oilers.
Tom:So, yeah, this one for me is like the, like what you said about the, the Leafs. My team at the moment that I'm really kind of, I'm putting stock into and I'm thinking I've got a real chance here at maybe being that team that goes on. And gets a lot further than people think. I think the kings are so underrated at a sneak. No one's talking about the kings, but we're sneakily really, really good this year. I. Third best record in the whole of the West, finished second in the division. So pip, the oilers to second, which again, not a lot of people had. They were just very, very good. Only the Jets had a better defensive record in the West. This year. They conceded 206 goals. It might even have been second best in the whole league. I'll, I'll double check me, me facts and figures on that and. They had goaltending performances from Darcy Kemper who kind of turned his fortunes round after having a couple of down years, 2.02 goals against average with a 9 22 save percentage. That's a brilliant season for a goaltender. And when you kind of look at a goaltending matchups. Compared to where the Oilers stand with that. So the Oilers kind of, kind of rotating their goalies quite a lot with Calvin Pickard and, and Skinner. Pickard 2.71 900 save percentage, and Skinner 2.81 Goals against 8 9 6 save percentage. It doesn't bode very well for the Oilers, knowing that the gold tending is looking, oh, not poor, but it does not look strong just, just on that as well. Kings gaining the home ice advantage is massive because they had the best home record in the whole of the West this year, even better than the Jets with a 31 6 and four record. Now the Oilers look good on the roads. Again, only the Knights or the Golden Knights and the Jets picked up more points away from home in the West than the Oilers. So look, they could make that quite an even battle, but the kings just look so strong at home. My pro, my kind of, when I look at this as well is offense is maybe a problem, and that's actually for both teams now. The kings went on a bit of a tear to win the season, but. Neither team really kind of blew it out. The water with whole team offensive production, I don't think either team scored more than 260 goals across the season. And when you kind of look at the other teams in the West, you look at the AVEs, the Stars, the Golden Knights, the Jets, I. Those are the kind of top teams in the West. They were all pushing upwards of 2 70, 280 goals scored in the season. So that might be a bit of a problem for both. And then I think it just kind of comes down to where the, where the quality lies and see the team, the kings is a lot more. Sort of spread throughout the lineup. Obviously the Oilers are gonna be, again, heavily relying on McDavid and Dry site, or obviously Dry Site, all winning the Rocket Rashad this year and McDavid eighth season with a hundred points. I think he's only the fifth player in NHL history to kind of record that mark with, with eight seasons of a hundred points. So I think those two are a big factor, Matty, with all, with all that being said, where's your head kinda lying with this series?
Matt:I'll be honest with you, mate, I think the Oilers have got the number. this is gonna be the fourth straight season that they'll face off in the first round, and the Oilers are three and oh. In the last three years against them in the playoffs, like you said, Conor McDavid and Leon, Dr. Will make the difference in this game. However, McDavid is carrying an injury. He's saying he's gonna be ready, so we might not see him the first couple of games, I don't see the kings going through mate as much like them. You know, they have puff really well this season, you know, and I said earlier on in the season, something wasn't quite quite right at the Oilers, but they managed to, to put that to bed, whatever was going on in room. But I think the Oilers mate, they're going to, they're gonna win. will be over seven, but the Oilers are gonna win.
Tom:So I'm, I'm keeping to my king stock here. I know recent playoff record favors the Oilers and obviously got to the Stanley Cup this year. I do just think. There's something about the Oilers this year that I'm just not convinced with, and I'm not entirely sure if they're gonna be able to get past such a, like a Staunchy defense of the Kings. And I just, I just like how the kings his team, I. It's just so spread out across the lineup. I just think depth wise, you get it from all over the ice and it might be a bit of a bold shout to kind of knock the Oilers this much, but I've got the Kings going through, I've actually got the Kings going through in five games, so I'm, I've got the, yeah, I've got, I've got the Kings kind of, kind of taking control of this series and making it not, well not, not really making it that close, but I guess we'll see. It is hard to go and kind of not go with the Oilers as well.'cause they do just tend to perform in play of time. McDavid is one of the best playoff performers ever. So is Leon. Dry cycle. But yeah, this year I, I kings, I think the kings are actually in with a very good chance of, of potentially even going all the way. I changed the season and the way they play. So what I think that's my one to is the LA Kings.
Matt:Controversial mate. Controversial. we'll take a look at my final game then over in the East, the lightning versus the Panthers. On in the season, I. The Panthers looked amazing. Whatever has happened in the last months for me, they've, they've dropped off. I mean, they, they've been leading their, their conference,, unchallenged for a while and then just dropped off and they finished third. They signed Brad Marchand in the, on the trade deadline. for me, they've, they've really faltered based on that, I think they've, they're giving the lightning a really good chance here. The Panthers obviously beat them in the same round last year. Four one on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. The lightning are in the rate successive, they drew two two in terms of head to head this season. and that's been, that's been the theme for the last. Four years, they've drawn two, two in head to head. in regular season, KU has had a great season. His third consecutive season finish over a hundred points. He got 121 this season in 77 games. I think if he continues his form, he will make the difference. For me, the, the Panthers are a. team, but they've, they've really faulted over the last sort of couple of, couple of months. And based on that, even though it's gonna be close, and again, I think this one will go all the way. the lightning are gonna sneak it in seven. Right.
Tom:I have to say I completely agree with you, mate. I'm in complete agreement with everything you said. I think the Panthers have forwarded towards the end of the season. I do think it will be close because I think obviously with Matthew Chu coming back, I think that makes a lot of difference. I think you've got that playoff steel with Brad Marshan for the Panthers and the fact that that they won it last year. You, you cannot just completely write them off. I said when we kind of did after our post-trade deadline with what team I kind of think will go on a run to the Stanley Cup, and I did say, I actually think the lightning looked very good. VA sevki, I. It's almost back to his best at the moment. He's, he's right up there probably if Connie Hillock doesn't have the season, he has Sevki, he's probably winning the probably winning the Goalie of the Year award, the Nia. So I think that's a big factor in that as well. Coff ends up winning the Art Ross for the second straight year, so he's coming into it on fire. And they just get scoring from around the lineup. Braden Point is gonna get you goals. Brandon Hagel as well, by the way, I think he's become one of the, i I sort of stat the earlier that he, he sort of broke a record for most goals in a season 35 goals this year didn't score a single one. I. On the power play, which is great. So they've got like five on five hockey. The Lightning are a dangerous team, and then you put them on special teams with the likes of Kucher off and Braden Point and Victor Headman. They've just got guys who have been there and done it. They won back-to-back championships for a reason. A lot of that side, maybe Bar Ko is still there, so it's gonna be very hard to go against the Lightning. And again, I think the Lightning have got the chance to go, sort of go all the way to the Stanley Cup final this year. I haven't changed my mind on that, so. Completely agree with you, Matty. I've got lightning going through in this one in seven.
Matt:that wraps up the first round. in our second round bracket, should have the jets against the AVEs, the Golden Knights against the Oilers for me, the Kings for you, the caps the Canes. And then I've got the Leafs and the lightning and you've got the sends against the Lightning. So Jets, avs, who have you got?
Tom:Jets, abs, I've got abs and I've got abs in six.
Matt:I also have the avs. I have the have in. so this next one then Golden Knights. Versus the Kings for you. Who have you got going through?
Tom:Again, probably won't come as a surprise. I said they're gonna be my sneaky team this year, so I, I've got Kings in seven.
Matt:You've got the Kings. So Golden Knights. Me, I've got the Oilers going through. So AVS Oilers, who have you got, you got? And you've got Kings. So who have you got? AVS Kings.
Tom:As kings. I was so sat on the fence with this because I don't wanna put the mocks on the abs or jinx the abs. I do also really like the Kings team in terms of, I just think they can go on a bit of a run this year, and I just think defensively, they're so. Difficult to play against. However, however it works for me in the Super Bowl, and I'm almost gonna have it as maybe a Tom's take. But I just think the way we've kind of finished the season, how strong we look with debt and with Gabriel Landers still coming back. I've got the abs, I've got the abs making the Stanley Cup. I, I actually think they're going to beat the Kings in five. So yeah, I've got the abs making the Stanley Cup final.
Matt:I couldn't have seen that one come in. I've got the AVS versus the Oilers. I also are gonna get to the Stanley Cup mate. I'll be honest, I think, do think they're gonna get, like what they did in the in the trade. They've had a decent season. I think they're a better team than they were with, Ranton. And so for that reason I think they do get there. So on the other side of the bracket then, mate, caps and the canes, who have you got going through?
Tom:I've got the caps going through. I've got them beating the canes in six.
Matt:I've got the caps going through in six also. the next one I have the Leafs versus the lightning. You had the sends versus the lightning. So sends lightning, who's going through?
Tom:I've got lightning in five for that one, like the ends, but think the lightning are too strong for that, for that matchup.
Matt:Lightning I the leafs going through in seven. I think the Leafs are gonna get to get to face So you've got the caps against the lightning, who's going through to the Stanley Cup final mate?
Tom:Lightning in six.
Matt:So I've got the leafs for the caps for a place in the Stanley Cup final. gonna go Leafs. I dunno what it is. I dunno what caught up in the, the torque of them breaking the curve. So, because I've gone down such a rabbit hole and I've done that much reading on it, it's almost like I want them to break the curse. Like, don't get me wrong, I want the abs to win it, you know? They, they play in the same colors of my Premier League football team. You know, I've kind of got an eye on them. You know, I, I like the fact that, you know, that, that they're there and, you know, I'm supporting my friend and, but no, I think a Leafs are going to the the Stanley Cup final. So I've got AVS Leafs, and you've got AVS Lightning. Do I even need to ask who you think is winning the Stanley Cup this year?
Tom:Whether I say it more out of hope than expectation, I can't back against my team in a final. You can't back against your boys. Abs win the Stanley Cup this year. I think we do it the same. We did the O in 2022. Abs beat the lightning in the Stanley Cup final in six. Although I will say, although I will say I would not be surprised to see that being the complete flip side and it being lightning in six because I think they're so well evenly matched. But the abs had too much from last time. The abs are maybe even a better side than they were that year in terms of just all round depth in the side. So yeah, I, I've got abs in six, but I think that it, it could potentially go seven. It could even be the odd way round, but can't back against my boys. So yeah, I'm going, I'm going abs in six. I'm confident.
Matt:See, I'm really torn because I like what the abs have done this season, but I think I'm getting caught up in the. In the nostalgia of six win for the maple leaves, and I, I kind of want them to win, but I want the abs to win as well, so somebody's gonna win it. Four, three, it's gonna go all the way. do you know what I'm gonna go Leafs. I'm gonna, I'm sorry. I'm gonna go Leafs. I'd, I'd love to see the abs win it, but I'd also love to see the Leafs win it, for you. So I wouldn't be disappointed if the abs won it.'cause I'm, I'm gonna adopt them as my second team the Rangers. But yeah, I think, I think the Leafs, I think they're gonna do it this year. I'm getting on the, on the hype train mate.
Tom:I, I do like the difference, differences of opinion. I've got the leaves going out in the first round, and you've got'em with. In the whole, the whole thing. So slightly different brackets considering how well our brackets kind of matched up for the first round, for the most part. And sort of throughout the rest of the playoffs, I, I like, I like how it just very much differs as it kind of gets to the leaves. But look, the curs gotta be broken at some point, so there's no reason why it can't happen. I, I don't think it will. I don't think they make it past the first round, but I guess if they do, you never know. Stranger things have happened and they are a good side, so we'll see. But, so there we, that's it then guys. We've got Tom, myself with abs as your Stanley Cup champions, and Matty thinks the curse will be broken with Leafs as your Stanley Cup champions.
Matt:I will watch this space. It all kicks off on Saturday night and we'll be watching it closely. Next week then, mate, we're back to our roundup of everything N-F-L-M-L-B, and we'll be looking at how these guys are panning out in their first rounds of the we'll be discussing the draft next week because the draft takes place the last weekend of April. So we'll be bringing you some stuff from now and then we'll be looking at how well sort of our teams are going. And we'll bring you Tom, star s to be, to be honest, mate, it's been, it's been nice not having to, you know, throw any shade at anybody this week. It's been quite nice. So yeah, it's, it's, it's been a welcome sort of like from Matt's pelters.
Tom:I am I'm surprised you say a welcome break. I think Juan Soto's escaped an absolute battering from you this week because the way that he started the season for the Mets, I was expect, I, I think you, I think you were slightly di I thought you'd be slightly disappointed that we weren't doing any kind of MLB coverage for this one, but yeah, no guys like Matt, you said that's all back next week. The draft's coming up, the season's well underway in baseball, and we'll have the first few games that have been played at the first round in the playoffs. So. Plenty to go through and discuss. Thanks for joining us again. And yeah, guys, submit your brackets. We'll be posting everything on social media with, with our predictions for the first round and our, and our total brackets as well. So yeah, let us know your thoughts on those, whether you agree, most likely probably disagree, me and Matt done what we're talking about at the end of the day. So let us know your thoughts and yeah, guys, till next week.
Matt:May have a great week and I'll speak to you soon. That does it for another episode of Triple Play uk. I've been your host, Matt, along with co-host Tom. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to follow us on X and subscribe on whatever listening platform you're on and we will catch you again next week. Cheers, guys.