Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference 2nd-round breakdown
It's playoff time, folks. To get you prepared, we break down each of the Western Conference's second-round series. (Advanced stats at 5-on-5 courtesy: Corsica)
Predators 1C vs. Jets 2C
| Predators | Stat | Jets |
|---|---|---|
| 4-2 | Round 1 record | 4-1 |
| 7 | Goal differential | 7 |
| 54.59% (2nd) | 5-on-5 Corsi % | 58.87% (1st) |
| 9.26% (3rd) | Shooting percentage | 7.95% (8th) |
| .923 (8th) | Save percentage | .941 (5th) |
| 101.57 (6th) | PDO | 102.06 (5th) |
| Sissons & Watson (7) | Leading scorer | Scheifele & Byfuglien (5) |
It'll be a Battle of the Titans in this second-round series. The Predators and Jets finished first and second league-wide, while their regular-season meet ups were always competitive. One key to the series could be the Predators' Pekka Rinne, who was only average in Round 1 against the Colorado Avalanche, while Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck put up a far superior performance in eliminating the Minnesota Wild.
Game 1 begins at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Golden Knights 1P vs. Sharks 3P
| Golden Knights | Stat | Sharks |
|---|---|---|
| 4-0 | Round 1 record | 4-0 |
| 4 | Goal differential | 12 |
| 51.69% (6th) | 5-on-5 Corsi % | 46.83% (13th) |
| 5.21% (14th) | Shooting percentage | 11.49% (2nd) |
| .990 (1st) | Save percentage | .979 (2nd) |
| 104.18 (3rd) | PDO | 109.37 (1st) |
| Smith (3) | Leading scorer | Pavelski & Couture (5) |
Both sides made quick work in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, sweeping away the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, respectively. If Vegas isn't already getting its due credit, it should after taking out a two-time Cup champion. Netminder Marc-Andre Fleury played like a virtual wall, while Sharks goalie Martin Jones was no slouch either. San Jose could also get a boost in the second round should Joe Thornton return from injury.
Game 1 faces off at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)