GWG Rewind: Capitals vs. Rangers (GM1), Avalanche vs. Jets (GM1) & Predators vs. Canucks (GM1)
Panarin, Connor and Joshua come up big
Note: Not much to say about Matthew Tkachuk’s empty-net GWG, so I’ll skip it.
Capitals-Rangers Game 1
For all of Alexis Lafreniere’s (NYR 13) regular season struggles (until this year), you could never criticize his intensity in the postseason. He seems to understand the stakes and ratchets up his physicality in a major way.
That tendency leads directly to the Rangers’ game-winner on Sunday:
He begins his forecheck by working under Connor McMichael’s (WSH 24) half-pick, allowing him to squeeze Vincent Iorio (WSH 2) into the boards at an angle that denies any escape route. Better yet, he explodes through the young defenseman’s frame and displays the wherewithal to find Vincent Trocheck (NYR 16) for a 2-on-1.
From there, Artemi Panarin’s (NYR 10) dual-threat potency takes over:
The lightning-quick change of possession and the winger’s unpredictability combine to mystify Charlie Lindgren (WSH 79). Thanks to his newfound trigger-happiness, the Breadman should be a much more effective performer this spring.
Avalanche-Jets Game 1
Kyle Connor’s (WPG 81) GWG kicks off with some tidy transition play. The speedy winger doesn’t merely meet Brenden Dillon’s (WPG 5) outlet pass but prepares to roll inside and up the ice on reception:
This enables him to avoid Casey Mittelstadt (COL 37) near the DZ blue line, while Gabriel Vilardi’s (WPG 13) rub route ensures the carry-in.
Connor’s shot misses the cage, but Mark Scheifele (WPG 55) is first to the spot and chips the puck to Vilardi behind Colorado’s net. The crafty forward immediately sends it into the jaws of the defense for a far-side finish:
Vilardi is emerging as a serious threat near the goal line. He delivered an even slicker assist from a similar area to Scheifele in the first period.
Looking at it from a team perspective, Winnipeg’s rapid-fire offense could pose persistent problems for Colorado’s leaky net-front defense. This places even more pressure on Nathan MacKinnon to win his matchup vs. Adam Lowry.
Predators-Canucks Game 1
Dakota Joshua (VAN 81) potted Vancouver’s game-winner just 12 seconds after Pius Suter tied the contest. The Canucks capped off their flurry by flipping the script on Predators blueliner Jeremy Lauzon (NSH 3).
In a retrieval scenario, the NHL’s regular season hit leader hears Elias Lindholm’s (VAN 23) footsteps and freezes:
Both the wheel and reverse options are available here, but pressure will fry defenders’ brains. This is why you finish your checks, people. Beyond failing to move the puck, Lauzon commits the cardinal sin of letting it slip behind him.
Conor Garland (VAN 8) hops on it, shifts to his forehand and fits a slot pass between Alexandre Carrier’s (NSH 45) feet. A tighter angle emphasizes the fine touch involved in this setup:
For much of Game 1, the Canucks appeared vulnerable. Once they added jam to their formula in the third frame, however, they blew Nashville’s doors off. Pace and urgency can mask a lot of flaws. They need to maintain this energy level throughout the first round.