Which team is in the most trouble if they fall to 0-2?
Seven of the eight series in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and that means seven teams are down in their respective series and needing a win in Game 2 to avoid falling behind 2-0.
The Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars got behind the 8-ball on Saturday, while Sunday saw the Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Utah Mammoth fall short in their bids to get started on the right foot.
Of those seven teams, Los Angeles and Boston in particular missed out on opportunities that were in their hands to possibly steal an early game against a heavily favored opponent.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed which team is facing the biggest uphill battle if they fail to level their first-round series and fall behind two games to none.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Which team do you think is the most screwed if they go down to 2-rip?
Carter Hutton: Well, right now I would say LA, and then my other option would be the Ducks. I think LA and the Ducks are the two teams that if they go down 0-2 it seems like insurmountable. The other series, I still like, if the Sens lose tonight, I don’t think the Sens are out. I just think with Carolina’s lack of offense they can generate you’re never really out of that series, but LA for sure is the one for me. I just think they’re totally outclassed in the series.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Yep, I’m with you 100% there. I was stunned that game was as close as it was, and in hindsight, that one feels a little bit like LA missed their shot there to kind of steal one early in the series, not that anyone had high hopes for them heading into this one. Someone in the chat said Pittsburgh’s cooked if they don’t win tonight. I disagree with that. I think, again, it’s not ideal if you go down two-nothing, but that Philly team is not such a beast that I’m sitting there going, “Ah, Pittsburgh will never win a game on the road.” I think, again, as much as you want to take care of business on home ice, I wouldn’t be totally writing off Pittsburgh. I’m with you, I think Ottawa could head back home down 0-2 and find a way to make this thing a series. Dallas is interesting because as much as the Stars would be the best team to go down 2-0, man, you’re talking about having to win four or five games against the Minnesota Wild. That would be a tall order if Dallas loses tonight.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…