Here’s a breakdown of the best-of-seven first-round Western Hockey League playoff series between the Everett Silvertips, the top seed from the U.S. Division, and the Portland Winterhawks, the No. 2 seed from the U.S. Division:
OFFENSE
Goals scored (regular season): Everett 237, Portland 286
Power play (regular season): Everett 24.3 percent, Portland 22.5 percent
Portland isn’t quite the same offensive juggernaut it was the previous four seasons, but the Winterhawks still finished second in the Western Conference in goals scored. While Portland doesn’t have the depth of elite offensive players it had in the past, the Winterhawks still have two of the WHL’s best offensive performers in winger Oliver Bjorkstrand and center Nicolas Petan. Bjorkstrand led the league in scoring and goals despite missing 13 games, and Petan finished second in the league in assists despite missing 18 contests. They continued their production during their first-round series victory over Seattle, combining for 10 goals and 11 assists.
Everett’s offense was solid but unspectacular during the regular season, finishing with 49 fewer goals than Portland. The Tips’ offensive production decreased in their first-round playoff series against Spokane, as Everett managed just 2.8 goals per game. Winger Carson Stadnyk was the only Everett player to average at least a point per game in the first round.
Advantage: Portland
DEFENSE
Goals allowed (regular season): Everett 193, Portland 233
Penalty kill (regular season): Everett 76.6 percent, Portland 80.0 percent
Whereas Portland was one of the WHL’s best offensive teams during the regular season, Everett was one of the league’s best defensive teams. The Tips finished second in the league in fewest goals allowed, and they continued to be stingy during the playoffs, allowing Spokane just 14 goals in six games — six of those coming in Game 2. Everett goaltender Carter Hart has played well beyond his 16 years during the playoffs, leading the league in goals against average (1.68) and save percentage (.947) in the first round.
Portland had stretches during the regular season where it allowed goals in bunches, and the Winterhawks allowed goals in the first round at a similar rate. Goaltender Adin Hill, who led the league in save percentage during the regular season, has seen his numbers slip a bit in the playoffs. His goals against average dropped from 2.81 to 3.18, and his save percentage fell from .921 to .900.
Advantage: Everett
INTANGIBLES
The biggest intangible is the difference in playoff experience between the teams. Portland reached the WHL finals each of the past four seasons, so most of the Winterhawks know what it’s like to play in a big-game environment. In contrast, this is Everett’s first foray beyond the first round since 2007, so every single player on the Tips roster is in uncharted territory.
The other issue is health. Portland played its first-choice lineup in all six of its first-round games and appears to be at full strength heading into the second round. Everett, meanwhile, has been riddled with injuries, particularly to its defense. Defensemen Noah Juulsen and Tristen Pfeifer both left Tuesday’s Game 6 at Spokane because of injuries, and key defensive winger Dawson Leedahl missed the previous three games because of an injury.
Advantage: Portland
OVERALL
This has been a cathartic season for Everett. The Tips ended two long droughts, winning their first banner in eight years when they won the U.S. Division title, then winning their first playoff series in eight seasons. Everett can also take heart from the fact it held off late-charging Portland to raise that division banner.
However, Portland had to expend less energy in the first round — Everett played six overtime periods versus just one for the Winterhawks — and the Winterhawks crushed the Tips 6-1 in Everett in the teams’ final meeting during the regular season. If Everett’s defensive injuries carry over into the second round, Portland has just the weapons to exploit that advantage.
Prediction: Portland in six games.
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