By Canadian Press

Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

May 15, 2023 | 3:11 AM

Barbecue season is now underway coast-to-coast as the Edmonton Oilers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup picture last night, failing to stop Jonathan Marchessault and his Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 at Rogers Place.

The Oilers ouster ensures the 2023 champion will be paraded around the White House and not along Sussex Drive.

Here are five things to know about the NHL playoffs:

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The 32-year-old Marchessault from Cap-Rouge, Que., listed at 5-foot-9, scored three goals in the second period as the Vegas Golden Knights erased a 2-1 first-period deficit and then hung on for a 5-2 victory to eliminate the Oilers in six games.

It was the first time in the series that a team managed to win two straight.

The Golden Knights, who were built for defensive hockey, actually outscored the Oilers 22-19 in the physical series, albeit they were outshot 40-22 in the clincher.

FROM HOPE TO NOPE

And then there were none. The Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers started the post-season with high hopes that one of them could become the first Canadian team since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens to hoist the Stanley Cup.

The Jets bowed out in five games in the first round to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Leafs finally reached Round 2 but were then eliminated in five games by the surging Florida Panthers. And the Oilers’ promising run ended in the second round on home ice, losing a six-game series to the Golden Knights.

So the questions along coffee row today will include: were the Leafs and Oilers upset, or were the Panthers and Golden Knights simply better? Did the sports betting sites that predicted a Leafs-Oilers Cup final overlook something? Were the favourites out-coached? Was goaltending a deciding factor? Or did the Panthers and Golden Knights simply have better talent and depth?

For what it’s worth, the Sportsnet panel said last night the Oilers-Golden Knights’ series would have made an ideal Cup final.

SHAKY START FOR PLAN A  

Mum was the word before last night’s Game 6 in Edmonton as the Oilers and Golden Knights waited as long as possible to name their starting netminders.

Stuart Skinner, who got the start for the Oilers over Jack Campbell, let in the first shot he faced 24 seconds into the game. Adan Hill, who got the start in net for the Vegas Knights over Jonathan Quick, let in two goals on the first four shots he encountered before the game was three-minutes-old.

As it turned out, Skinner was replaced after two periods by Campbell with the Oilers trailing 4-2. It was the third time in the series Skinner got the hook. The Oilers outshot the Golden Knights 40-22 in Game 6.

Both coaches said before the game that it was important not to let their opponent get off to a quick start. It’s moments like this that are responsible for turning second-guessing into a cottage industry.

KRAKEN IN IT TO WIN IT

Hockey writers have suggested the underdog Seattle Kraken will be playing with house money when they face the Dallas Stars in Texas tonight.

This is a team, after all, that finished 30th overall last year in its inaugural season.

But Kraken coach Dave Hakstol didn’t agree, suggesting if you get to a Game 7 there’s way more satisfaction winning it than saying you got that far. Exhibit A: knocking off defending champion Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 in the first round.

Jordan Eberle of the Kraken said the pressure is on both teams tonight, with the winner earning a berth in the Western Conference final against either Edmonton or Vegas.

Dallas captain Jamie Benn believes the Stars have an advantage playing at home in the do-or-die showdown, but didn’t give the Kraken anything to post on their bulletin board for extra motivation.

SOCCER FANS TROLL TORONTO

The Montreal Canadiens finished last in the Atlantic Division this season, missing the playoffs with 68 points — 43 points and 19 wins behind the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.

But Habs fans didn’t buy into that warm and fuzzy Canada’s team stuff during the post-season, which was made obvious Saturday night during a Major League Soccer game at Saputo Stadium.

With CF Montreal leading visiting FC Toronto 2-0 late in the match, Montreal fans started chanting: “We want Florida.”

While the Leafs’ loss to the Panthers in Round 2 will be remembered for many things, Toronto’s fans in Maple Leaf Square may have given the rest of the NHL a gift that will keep on giving for seasons to come.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2023.

The Canadian Press