NHL playoffs 2018: Updated bracket after Predators Beat Avalanche
The Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup semifinals. Here’s what the NHL playoffs bracket looks like heading into Monday.
It was a day for movers and shakers in the NHL, as both the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins took their respective series to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Both the Predators and the Penguins needed six games to do away with the Colorado Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. And both teams came one step closer to possibly having a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
Let’s take a look at the updated Stanley Cup bracket at the conclusion of Sunday’s action.
The Flyers may have avoided a sweep, but the Penguins proved on Sunday that they’re built for the long haul. Pittsburgh dropped eight points on Philadelphia, including four — yes, four — from Jake Guentzel.
But the Predators looked even more unstoppable, blanking the Avalanche 5-0 in Game 6 of their series. Nashville took its time getting going this postseason, but by the end of its opening series, the team looked like the fast and focused squad that earned the Presidents’ Trophy after the conclusion of the regular season.
The Predators’ top line of Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson has been clutch — especially Forsberg, who gave us quite possibly the prettiest goal of the entire first round.
But Preds have deadly depth, and that’s what helped them prevail in this series — and will likely carry them to the Final. The third line of Nick Bonino, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons line contributed nine goals and 19 points in this series.
The Winnipeg Jets should be very, very concerned.
On Monday, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets both play in Game 6 of their respective series, and both the Bruins and the Capitals have a chance to advance with a win.
Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs
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