Round 1: Players To Watch

As the qualifying rounds wrap up and the Lafreniere Lottery ultimately ending up with the New York Rangers, it is officially time for playoff hockey!

Let me preface this article by saying several higher seeds were a disappointment (Looking at you Toronto, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh) and I am still bitter close to a week later. Here 's to thinking ahead to the 2020-2021 season opener.

With that, let's look at each team's most important player heading into Round 1.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Philadelphia Flyers Vs. No. 12 Montréal Canadiens

Philadelphia - James Van Riemsdyk

Scoring goals on Carey Price may not always be very sexy but they all count on the scoreboard. Having a player like JVR -- a net-front presence -- can be incredibly effective for screening, deflections, and rebounds. Look for JVR to improve his playoff career-high 7 goals; a feat he accomplished as a Flyer in the 2011 Playoffs.

Montréal - Tomas Tatar

Despite generating several scoring chances and looking effective in the offensive zone, Tatar finished with 0 points in the qualifying round. Look for Tatar to contribute offensively if the Habs want to keep up on the scoreboard. The 29 yr. old has posted a respectable 9 points in 29 career playoff games.

No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. No. 9 Columbus Blue Jackets

Tampa - Anthony Cirelli

With Steven Stamkos expected to miss Game 1, the weight on the shoulders of the younger players increases. Although they've proven they can compete with the leagues best, the Lightning's core group will need to tackle the heavy lifting and provide a boost in Tampa's offense. Look for Cirelli to shine at both ends of the ice and even chip in on the scoresheet.

Columbus - David Savard/Vladislav Gavrikov

I wanted to avoid using teammates on the list but is there a team in the playoffs who put forth a more team effort than the Blue Jackets did against the Leafs in the Qualifying Round? The second defensive pairing was successful against the Maple Leafs offense, shutting them out two of the give games. However, the question remains, can they do it against the leagues best offense, the Tampa Bay Lightning? Chess match, anyone?

No. 3 Washington Capitals Vs. No. 7 New York Islanders

Washington - Alex Ovechkin

Does Alex Ovechkin need any more motivation than missing out on potentially adding to his historic number of goals in the final 13 games of the season? Probably not. Expect the Capitals captain to play with the same edge that brought him his first cup in 2018. With the advantage (on paper) in the offensive category, the Capitals offense will lean on Ovechkin to break down the Islanders' stout defense. Look for Ovi to score his first of the playoffs early and in bunches.

New York - Jean-Gabriel Pageau

The prized possession at the Trade Deadline, Pageau will look to provide offensive depth for a forward group struggling to produce at a consistent rate. Scoring goals has always been the Islanders kryptonite so let's keep our expectations realistic. However, the puck possession numbers JGP produces work in the Islanders favour. Coach Barry Trotz will have to focus on the matchup game to limit the Capitals offense.

No. 4 Boston Bruins Vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

Boston - David Krejci

No stranger to the big moment, David Krejci has amassed 135 career playoff games, posting 104 points. Don't count out the B's after their 0-3 Round Robin performance, they're the type of team that can have the, "we have you right where we want you" approach. The Hurricanes are going to be tested by the Bruins in many areas that the Rangers could not so expect the depth forwards to play the deciding role in this series. Watch for Krejci to produce on Special Teams, an area where he excels when the game is on the line.

Carolina - Jordan Staal

Okay, so you've won a cup before but can you do it again? Jordan Staal crucial in the Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup run posting 9 points in 24 games, dominating the third line. The year prior, the Pens lost to the Red Wings in the Finals. My point? Staal has suited up for 91 career playoff games, a feat that shouldn't be taken lightly towards. The impact of leadership should never be taken for granted. The Hurricanes aim to provide the latest upset in this year's playoffs and have the swagger to do so. Bunch of jerks.

Western Conference

No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights Vs. No. 12 Chicago Blackhawks

Vegas - Mark Stone

Are the Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone's team? Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away with this one but the way he has fit in seamlessly to their organization has been incredible to see. In his second season as a Knight, the two-way dynamo is a huge reason behind the team's success and don't expect that to change. This year could very well be the Mark Stone show, get your popcorn ready.

Chicago - Alex Debrincat

Someone not named Patrick Kane or Kirby Dach is going to have to look dangerous in order for the Blackhawks to keep up in this series. A technical "playoff rookie", Debrincat posted 3 assists in their Qualifying Round against the Oilers and looked effective at times in the offensive zone. If the Blackhawks are going to get Debrincat going, look for it to come from their power play.

No. 2 Colorado Avalanche Vs. No. 11 Arizona Coyotes

Colorado - Nazem Kadri

We've written this script before, haven't we? Kadri was leaned on heavily as a Maple Leaf and deservedly so. The 29 yr. old has posted 10 points in 19 playoff games (not including the three Round Robin games), all of which coming with Toronto. Now away from the added pressure of the Toronto market, can Kadri step up and become an additional flare to the Avalanche's already-dangerous group of forwards. We could be looking at Ryan O'Reilly 2.0.

Arizona - Taylor Hall

As if the lights weren't already shining on the 2018 MVP, we're now going to add the pressure of winning a (real) playoff series. Unfamiliar with the playoff scene and commonly in the race for the first-overall pick, Hall has a chance to increase his value in Free Agency with a strong playoff performance. Okay, a bit harsh but true. Keeping Hall hot is of utmost importance to Arizona's success. Hall posted 1 goal and 3 assists in the three Qualifying Round games against Nashville.

No. 3 Dallas Stars Vs. No. 8 Calgary Flames

Dallas - Tyler Seguin

Can the real Tyler Sequin please stand up? Earth to Tyler Sequin? Hello, is anyone home? I can't stress how important it is for the Stars for Sequin to get going offensively. Essentially a ghost in the Round Robin, Sequin will look for his competitive nature to take over and become the dynamic player we love to watch. Watch out if he gets going as Dallas has the scoring power to match the league's best when scoring on all cylinders.

Calgary - Cam Talbot/David Rittich

Who steps up? Geoff Ward will have a tough decision heading into their series against the Stars. Each goalie has proven their ability to win games and can certainly take the Flames as far as their individual play allows them. With a stout defensive core, it could take just one game for the Flames goalie to get hot and ride the streak.

No. 4 St. Louis Blues Vs. No. 7 Vancouver Canucks

St. Louis - Vladimir Tarasenko

Having played just two games since suffering a shoulder injury on October 24th, the question of Tarasenko's ability to produce is amplified even more. With plenty of time to heal and recover, a player of that talent should hit the ice highly motivated and with lots of adrenaline. Tarasenko could get hot at any minute and the Blues will need him to score if they hope to repeat the success they had last year. The "Tarasenkshow" could send the young Canucks packing early by himself alone.

Vancouver - JT Miller

Arguably Vancouver's best two-way forward, JT Miller will look to add to his career-best season where he posted 72 points in 69 games. That boost in offense solidified the Canucks top 6 forwards and showed GM Jim Benning enough reason to trade for Tyler Toffoli at the Trade Deadline. There is always one player who makes their team click and Miller is just that for the Canucks.