from Dave Hodge of TSN,

Here’s a list of thoughts you might have had prior to the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs:

1. Rookie Matt Murray is a promising goalie, but he’s not ready for a big stage that includes Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals.

2. The Tampa Bay Lightning will not be able to withstand the loss of Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman.

3. Dallas cannot have playoff success with Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi trying to keep pucks out of the Stars’ net and Tyler Seguin unavailable to shoot them at opposition goalies.

4. The playoff experience of Chicago and Los Angeles will win out over the history of playoff failure in St. Louis and San Jose.

more