John Tavares has already equaled his playoff output from last season. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)
This week, Logan Stankoven’s first playoff game as a Carolina Hurricane went extremely well; the already banged-up New Jersey Devils suffered more health issues in Game One of their first-round series against Carolina; and Nathan MacKinnon came up huge as the Colorado Avalanche whipped the Dallas Stars in Game One of their opening-round series.
John Tavares Comes Through
Back in 2021-22, the Toronto Maple Leafs enjoyed the most successful season in franchise history, only to lose in the first round. Their regular season performances dipped in each of the next two seasons, but after racking up 108 points this season for their first Atlantic Division title, the Buds have their sights set on a bigger prize this spring.
Could the Stanley Cup parade plans actually be needed this season?
Well, the Leafs sure looked good in their playoff opener on Sunday, thrashing the Sens 6-2 to draw first blood in this installment of the Battle of Ontario. One great sign for Toronto was the play of John Tavares, especially in the wake of his lackluster postseason showing last season. He fired a goal and added an assist on Sunday (both points on the PP), thereby matching his entire playoff production from 2023-24.
Tavares failed to get on the scoreboard in either of the final two games of the regular season, but was riding a four-game point streak previously. Okay, so his April wasn’t nearly as good as his March, but after going hog wild last month (13 goals and 20 points in 15 games), he was bound for some regression.
Still, after Tavares slipped to 65 points in 80 games last season, he bounced back to nearly a point per game while potting his highest goal total since his Toronto debut in 2018-19. A career high shooting percentage definitely helped, but it was still a fine recovery for the veteran.
Better yet, other than a broken finger in 2019-20, Tavares has remained pretty durable during his time in Toronto (despite taking hits like this), especially impressive as he enters his mid-30s. And thanks to his skill and tremendous hand-eye coordination, he enters next season just six goals shy of joining the 500-goal club.
Colorado Comes Up Big in Opener
Since winning 39 of 56 games in the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season, the Colorado Avalanche’s regular season record has dipped in each campaign, but it’s hard to feel sorry for them given that they’ve made the playoffs for eight straight years, winning one Stanley Cup in the process.
And after whipping the Stars in Game One on Saturday, 5-1, Colorado is the current favourite among Western Conference teams to win the Cup (+550 as per FanDuel).
As alluded to in the intro above, MacKinnon was the man for the Avalanche, as usual. He shook off a stick to the face to pot a pair of goals (including his 50th career playoff marker) and added an assist, giving him points in nine straight games dating back to the regular season.
MacKinnon’s line (with Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas) absolutely caved Dallas in from a play driving perspective, recording 22 shot attempts for with just eight against.
As for MacKinnon, he’s been the model of consistency; his worst month all season was in January, when he “only” managed 1.2 points per game. No, he couldn’t duplicate the career-best 140 points he amassed in 2023-24, but he still finished second in the league with a whopping 116 for the second highest output of his brilliant 12-year career. In the process, MacKinnon joined the 1,000-point club while continuing to flash periodic and surprising snarl.
If you snagged him third overall or later in your playoff Fantasy league, you did very well and should be a happy camper come June.
Waiver Wire Pick of the Week
Rasmus Sandin, D, Washington Capitals (ESPN: 13.7 per cent; CBS: 43 per cent): With news that Martin Fehervary (LBI) hasn’t even resumed skating yet, the Caps will lean on Sandin more than usual. Sandin wasn’t exactly productive down the stretch, but he was seeing plenty of ice time, getting over 22 minutes in four of the last five while logging PP2 action. He enjoyed a solid season, reaching 30 points for the second time despite a reduction in PT. Former Leaf Sandin doesn’t have much playoff experience, but is likely to be given plenty of rope, making him a sneaky add.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Out of Seattle, Heart spawned from prior bands led by founders Roger Fisher and Steve Fossen, such as The Army, Hocus Pocus and White Heart. Among the band’s Top 40 hits was “Magic Man,” a 1975 classic that peaked at No. 62 on the RPM Singles Chart.