This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
Since Wednesday is the first day of these NHL playoffs, and I am writing this Daily Puck, I get first dibs at making series predictions, and I get to do it before a single game is played. Onward!
Montreal Canadiens v. Ottawa Senators: The Habs are so dependent on Carey Price that, should he have a poor series, they could get upset. On the other hand, Price should win the Hart Trophy this year and he is great, so I don't expect that to happen. Canadiens in six.
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Detroit Red Wings: In my dreams, during Game 7 of this series Steve Yzerman rips off his suit, reveals a Wings jersey, and then he takes the ice and blasts a game-winning slap shot like he did all those years ago. In reality, the Lightning are a better team and don't have questions in net. Lightning in six.
New York Rangers v. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins have Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and a bunch of injuries. I can't see them making the Rangers sweat too much. Rangers in six.
Washington Capitals v. New York Islanders: The Islanders scuffled a bit down the stretch, and the Capitals have the better situation in net, and also the better coach. Capitals in six. Six game series are very popular with me apparently.
Anaheim Ducks v. Winnipeg Jets: I planned to pick against the Ducks, because of their goal differential and their reliance on one goal wins. However, I can't see myself picking the Jets. They just don't have a roster than impresses me enough. Ducks in five.
Vancouver Canucks v. Calgary Flames: I can't pick a team that has the poor puck possession and goaltending of the Flames. So I will pick the Canucks, even though I don't really like them either. Canucks in five.
St. Louis Blues v. Minnesota Wild: It really comes down to whether or not Devan Dubnyk can keep up what he's been doing. The Blues, though, are the better roster top to bottom, and Dubnyk does not instill the confidence in me that Price does. Blues in six.
Nashville Predators v. Chicago Blackhawks: The Predators are not as hot as they were earlier in the season, and their scoring leaves me wanting. Corey Crawford seems eternally underrated and Patrick Kane is returning for this series. I have not picked a lower seeded team yet. I will now. Blackhawks in six.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Senators (Andrew Hammond) at Canadiens (Carey Price) 7:00
Islanders (Jaroslav Halak) at Capitals (Braden Holtby*) 7:00
Blackhawks (Corey Crawford) at Predators (Pekka Rinne) 8:30
Flames (Jonas Hiller) at Canucks (Eddie Lack) 10:00
*Confirmed Starters
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Senators
Robin Lehner, G (concussion) – Out indefinitely.
Chris Phillips, D (undisclosed) – On injured reserve.
Matt Puempel, LW (ankle) – Not expected back before late April.
Canadiens
Tom Gilbert, D (upper-body) – Practiced, may return for Wednesday.
Max Pacioretty, LW, (upper-body) – Cleared for contact, unlikely to play Wednesday.
Islanders
Mikhail Grabovski, C (concussion) – Close to returning.
Travis Hamonic, D (undisclosed) – Unlikely to play Wednesday.
Frans Nielsen, C (undisclosed) – Practiced Monday, likely to play Wednesday.
Capitals
Jay Beagle, C (upper-body) – Day-to-day, may play Wednesday.
John Erskine, D (neck) – On injured reserve.
Eric Fehr, RW (upper-body) – Practiced Monday, may play Wednesday.
Dmitry Orlov, D (wrist) – Won't play this postseason.
Tom Wilson, RW (head) – Close to return, but still day-to-day.
Blackhawks
Daniel Carcillo, LW (upper-body) – Unlikely to play in first round.
Brad Richards, C (upper-body) – Practiced Monday, likely to play Wednesday.
Kimmo Timonen, D (upper-body) – Expected to play Wednesday.
Predators
Mike Fisher, C (lower-body) – Practiced Monday in limited fashion, day-to-day.
Cody Franson, D (upper-body) – Did not practice Monday, day-to-day.
Roman Josi, D (lower-body) – Practiced Monday, expected to play Wednesday.
Eric Nystrom, LW (lower-body) – Return date unknown.
Shea Weber, D (lower-body) – Practiced Monday, expected to play Wednesday.
Flames
Lance Bouma, C (upper-body) – Day-to-day.
Paul Byron, C (lower-body) – Practiced Tuesday, day-to-day.
Raphael Diaz, D (undisclosed) – Return date unknown.
Mark Giordano, D (shoulder) – Out for season.
Karri Ramo, G (lower-body) – Practiced Tuesday, likely to at least suit up Wednesday.
Ladislav Smid, D (neck) – Out for season.
Canucks
Zack Kassian, RW (back) – Unlikely to play Wednesday.
Hot
Daniel Sedin, LW, VAN – The Sedin twins aren't the dynamic duo they used to be, Daniel only reached the 20 goal mark in the season's final game. However, he ended on a high note with a four game point streak that saw him score four goals and tally four assists. He also gets the benefit of going up against the weakest team in the first round, the Calgary Flames, which should help him keep the good times rolling as the regular season turns into the playoffs.
Clarke MacArthur, LW, OTT – Considering the torrid run the Senators went on that got them into the playoffs, obviously they had some players who got hot. While noted hamburgling netminder Andrew Hammond and Mark Stone are a couple of the more noted names, MacArthur had a strong end to the season as well. He ended the year on a seven game point streak with three goals and six assists. It won't be easy going up against Carey Price, of course. That could put a damper on MacArthur's run of play.
Cold
Evgeni Malkin, C, PIT – Malkin returned to play in the final four games of the regular season as the Penguins managed to eke their way into the playoffs. However, Malkin wasn't a contributor to any late season success. He scored zero points in those four contests, and he was a minus-6 as well. Now, he has to try and find his footing against the President's Trophy winning New York Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist. He'll probably score a point or two, but a major turnaround isn't likely.
Bobby Ryan, RW, OTT – While MacArthur is hot, the bigger named Ryan has been notably cooler. His overall season has been a disappointment, as he only scored 18 goals, and he had zero goals, and only one assist, in his last 10 games. If there is concern about MacArthur being able to score against Price, the concern is even greater for Ryan. He's unlikely to find his footing at this point.
Recommended Value Play
Troy Brouwer, RW, WAS – While Alex Ovechkin lapped the field in terms of goal scoring for the Capitals, Brouwer was second on the team in goals with 21, and he had 43 points total. He's a big body who had eight power-play goals, and he added 53 penalty minutes as well. Jaroslav Halak improved the Islanders' goaltending situation by being decent instead of bad, but, aside from some playoff heroics in the past, he's not exactly great. Ovechkin and Backstrom are the guys that fantasy owners are going to be focused on, but Brouwer could give you much better bang for your buck.
