Co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke were joined by NHL.com Toronto-based staff writer Mike Zeisberger, who talked about the pressure on Matthews and the Maple Leafs to break through in the playoffs after failing to win a round in each of the past five seasons.
Matthews leads the NHL with 58 goals for the Maple Leafs, who are second in the Atlantic Division and have already clinched a playoff berth. However, they have not won a playoff round since 2004.
The conversation then shifted to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning and if we're starting to see the end of their reign of dominance. There were mixed opinions, but the Lightning are 1-9-1 against teams that have clinched a playoff berth or are in position to do so since March 3. They are 2-3-2 in their past seven games.
Rosen, Roarke and Zeisberger broke down the Western Conference playoff race, with all three wondering if the Los Angeles Kings can hold off the Vegas Golden Knights and clinch a playoff spot.
The Kings have 88 points with six games remaining, all against teams that are not in a playoff position. The Golden Knights have 87 points with seven games remaining, four against teams in playoff position.
Rosen asked if a team would prefer to play the Colorado Avalanche or the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs. All three said no team wants a piece of the Avalanche in the first round, but the answer required some debate and analysis.
In addition, Zeisberger discussed what he saw from Owen Power, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, in his NHL debut for the Buffalo Sabres in a 5-2 win against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
Power's poise was the key point in Zeisberger's analysis. It was impressive.
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