N.H.L. Conference Finals Begin After Hectic Second Round

That is compounded by Vegas’s comparatively solid numbers. It is an eyelash behind the Stars in scoring in the playoffs but allows 2.33 goals per game compared with Dallas’s 3.5. Both teams have a formidable mix of speed and size, with Vegas being led by the two-way standout wing Stone. Much like how Dallas has been keyed by Heiskanen and John Klingberg from the back end, Vegas has seen Theodore and Nate Schmidt assume larger roles in its attack. In goal, the trade deadline acquisition Robin Lehner has started 12 of Vegas’s 15 games this postseason and earned eight victories. Marc-Andre Fleury, heretofore a franchise pillar, has won all three of his decisions.

Both teams made in-season coaching changes, with Dallas dismissing Jim Montgomery for “unprofessional conduct” in December and Vegas tiring of volatile play under Gerard Gallant as a strong alternative became available. Dallas promoted the veteran assistant coach Rick Bowness, while Vegas looked to Peter DeBoer, who had been fired by the Sharks amid their abjectly disappointing campaign. DeBoer has had the Midas touch in his first season behind the bench. He took over the Devils in 2011-12 and led them to the Stanley Cup finals. He replicated that feat when he assumed control of San Jose in 2015-16. But, as he’s in his 12th season as a head coach, DeBoer has found winning a championship elusive.

No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs No. 6 Islanders

The Lightning have now reached the conference finals five times over the past 10 seasons, winning once before falling to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Stanley Cup finals, and losing in seven games three times. Last season, they won a record-tying 62 regular-season games, only to be swept in the first round. This season, they have become focused on becoming more adaptable. They emphasized versatility, doggedness and defensive ability by paying handsomely for a pair of bottom-six forwards, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, at the trade deadline.

That has paid off, as the Lightning appear comfortable in either a battle of attrition or a free-flowing game with few whistles. They’ve also needed depth up front given that center Steven Stamkos, a two-time goal-scoring champion, has yet to play in these playoffs and right wing Nikita Kucherov, last season’s most valuable player and scoring champion, sustained an injury in Game 5 of their series against Boston. In the between-the-lines vernacular of the playoffs, one might surmise that Kucherov is a possibility and Stamkos is doubtful for Game 1.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/06/sports/hockey/nhl-conference-finals-preview.html