Day 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs: A Recap

Let's get right to it so I don't leave you hanging in suspense...

The winners of Game 1 of Round 1 are...

the St. Louis Blues!!! 

the Tampa Bay Lightning!!!

and...

The Pittsburgh Penguins!!!

Can I change my predictions on at least one of the series? 

No, alright, I'll have to live with that the Blues beat the Blackhawks. I'm no glad I didn't pick Blackhawks in four. 

For the Detroit-Tampa series: HOW MANY PENALTIES CAN YOU GET IN ONE GAME?!?!

For the Pittsburgh-NYR series: Funny how things go in the playoffs. We were worried about the Penguins goaltending, but guess who had the edge in net this game? Yup, Penguins.

For the Chicago-St.Louis series: All I have to say is this. It's not a Blackhawks Game 1 without OT. Just saying. Its been that way for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and now 2016.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

What is "Yeast Mode"? Artemi Panarin's Play Has Your Answers...

Artemi Panarin had been expected to become one of the greater Chicago players when he came to the NHL this season to play with the Blackhawks, yet they didn't know where he would fit in with the roster. Little did they know that he would form an amazing chemistry with Patrick Kane to make up a formidable second line for Chicago.

This is the story of two games against the Penguins, who have three of the NHL's best players in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel. Yet, Panarin managed to overcome them all.

In early January, Chicago had a home and home series against Pittsburgh. In both of these games, Chicago won -- thanks to the Breadman, as Panarin's teammates call him.

Panarin's first impression on the Penguins - lighting the lamp behind Marc-Andre Fleury with a slapshot in the second period to make it 1-0 Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews would add one and the Penguins would tie the game before it went into overtime. 

Overtime was the defining moment for the Breadman, The Blackhawks were passing, passing, passing, and the Penguins just couldn't keep up. Kane threw the puck to Panarin, Panarin threw it back, and so on. Soon, Kane and Panarin were circling around the Penguin net like eagles waiting to kill a Penguin (pun intended) and then Panarin just threw the puck towards the net. The move was so subtle, no one noticed that it had gone in, except for Panarin and Kane. The end. 

Game two started out the same way. The Pens couldn't contain the Hawks' second line. Panarin, Kane, and Anisimov were throwing around the puck and the Pens just couldn't get to it. The Penguins were gasping for air, eagerly awaiting a break in play to catch their breaths, but before they could, it was 1-0 Hawks. Panarin had scored. Panarin would also add the game-winner later with a play so surprising that not even the commentators noticed it at first. 

In this way, Artemi Panarin defines "yeast mode" with his outstanding play. The Breadman uses yeast to elevate his team, and hopefully will continue doing so for years to come (pun intended again).

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Artemi Panarin Featured in NHL Top Duos List (THW)

The Hockey Writers decided to make a list of the NHL's five duos, and (yay!) Artemi Panarin and Evgeny Kuznetsov are both featured in the list. It is as goes (and I will add my own opinions as to why these players are featured in the list if needed):

5. Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec (Montreal Canadiens)

There is a reason Pacioretty was picked as the Habs' captain this year, and it has not been without the help of his trusty steed, the 33-year-old Czech forward Tomas Plekanec. They provide dynamic offence to the Habs, adding to their legitimacy as Stanley Cup contenders.

4. Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)

Ahh... of course. The 35-year-old Swedish twins who have been tearing up the NHL for years. They have an impressive chemistry.. almost a sense of where the other is on the ice. Must be a twin thing.

3. Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov (Washington Capitals)

Two Russians (insert happy emoji here). Of course. This year, Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the Caps with points, with Alex Ovechkin, the goals leader, a few points behind. At the beginning of the year, on the same line, they clicked together perfectly. #RusskiyPower 

2. Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)

One of the interesting stories in the NHL this season is how Patrick Kane has been tearing up the NHL after his off-season controversy. Of course, this wouldn't be the case without the hands of Artemi Panarin, 24-year-old fresh arrival from Russian KHL, who has helped him tonnes.

1. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars)

This duo has always been one of the most effective in the game, but their role on the Stars has only been magnified now that their team is in the top of the NHL standings.

What do you all think of these ratings? Any other differing opinions? If so, I'd love to hear them in the comments. Happy Holidays...

Pavel Bure Thinks Evgeny Kuznetsov and Artemi Panarin Will Dominate the NHL for Years to Come

Pavel Bure, in his blog NHL.com/ru, said that have the ability to dominate the NHL for years to come. Bure is arguably one of the best Russian players to ever play the game, and hearing so from him is a huge compliment to both Kuznetsov, 23, and Panarin, 24. 

In his first season with the Washington Capitals, Kuznetsov had a hard time adjusting to the North American lifestyle, but in the 2015 playoffs, he soared above expectations, scoring the series-winning goal against the Islanders to take the Capitals to Round 2 of the playoffs. This season, he leads the Caps in points - even more than the Capitals other superstar, Alex Ovechkin. "It took a little while for Kuznetsov to adjust in the country and in a League that was completely new to him," Bure writes. "But he was a leader everywhere he had ever played. So eventually he adapted to the system Trotz implemented in Washington. He was also lucky to be on the same team with Alex Ovechkin, who should get credit for helping him find his game."

Artemi Panarin, on the other hand, came over to the NHL from the KHL last year, and has had some amazing chemistry with linemate Patrick Kane. He is also in early contention for the Calder Trophy. "Panarin made the transition to the team that won three Stanley Cups in six seasons look effortless," Bure writes. "This alone shows what a special talent he is. Plus, the style of hockey that the Blackhawks play is tailor-made for Panarin. It is not surprising that he leads all rookies in scoring and is capable of winning the Calder Trophy this year."

"I am happy for Panarin and Kuznetsov," Bure further said. "They both dreamed about making it in the NHL and they have done very well thus far, but at the same time both of them are still continuing to develop. It may sound crazy, but I know those two guys can play even better. They possess enough skills to become a dominating force in this League."

Russian Young Gun: Artemi Panarin Rising

The Chicago Blackhawks have been enjoying the influx of Russian players to their team: Victor Tikhonov, Artem Anisimov, and, best of all, Artemi Panarin. After SovSport.ru conducted an interivew with Artemi Panarin, he dropped some gems that deserve to be on this blog. Here's what he had to say about playing on one of the top NHL teams and his chemistry with Patrick Kane and how other Russian players influenced him.

* For the original SovSport.ru article by Leonid Varshavsky, click here.

*This article was translated by The Hockey Writers. For the interview on their website, click here.

Interviewer: In the last couple of years you had quite some progress. How did you achieve that?

Panarin: I have to thank Viktor Tikhonov, he helped me a lot even when we were playing for SKA. And I also had Ilya Kovalchuk. I followed these players and I improved thanks to them. I was very happy to be playing in the same team with such great forwards. Just as I’m happy now to be playing with Kane, Toews, and Hossa. They are also allowing me to progress. Look how great is playing Kane right now, he’s the goal and pointscorer leader of the whole league. I have to work hard to get to his level.

What did Ilya Kovalchuk told you about the NHL?

“There’s nothing to be scared of, Tema.” He told me to be myself, not to change my game and not to lose confidence. Play the way I can. That’s all.

Artem Anisimov is doing a great job complementing you and Kane. What is his secret?

Well, he has such a good contract (laughs). I think he understands very well what kind of hockey I and Patrick want to play. He helps us a lot. I don’t think it’s just down to his size, his task isn’t just to hit people around. He could be even smaller, just to skate faster (laughs). With his size he can be very good at screening the goalie, but he doesn’t always want to fight in the slot.

Why did Chicago undergo the Russian invasion exactly this summer?

Our contracts with SKA run out. Viktor wanted to get here even earlier. I wasn’t thinking about it before, I didn’t consider myself ready to the NHL. But I was 23, 24 now. We also won the Gagarin Cup. I understood that it was the right time to go to the NHL. It was the right time to make a step forward.

Now the whole world knows who Artemi Panarin is. Do you feel more pressure?

I remember when I was 18 or 19 and no one in Russia knew about me. Now I’m the right person in the right moment.

Why do you wear #72?

I simply like how it looks.

What did you learn in your first months in Chicago?

My height didn’t grow, therefore I haven’t learned any supernatural method here (laughs). Now I’m paying more attention to little things like work with the stick. Generally speaking, there was a period where I was a little lost. And maybe now, after a small decline, a big boost is ahead of me.

What do you do to get better?

I try to eat more (laughs). I try to think the correct way. I try to adjust myself and my game. It’s hard to find some time to practice in Chicago, but I need to be more and more useful to my team.

What suggestions do you get from your coaches and teammates?

When I was in a goal drought, my teammates would approach me and tell: “Relax and don’t think about that.” I understood that, but it was hard anyway. It’s very hard to keep your cool. I was worried, but the advice was helpful.

What did you have to adapt more in the NHL?

When I started playing here I had a lot of questions in my mind. First of all about speed. Then I also noticed that here players play stronger on the stick. At first it was hard because I couldn’t receive passes, but now my reaction became better.

What is the difference between playing with Kane and Toews?

I like playing with anyone. I’m going to play with any player my coaches will indicate. Of course when I play with Kane we show more chemistry. But on the other hand I played much more with him, than with Toews.

It looks like you and Kane have a lot of chemistry.

We are on the same wavelength. He can even understand my English. I’m very surprised. He always finds the right words so that I can understand him.

What do you like more than everything about Chicago?

Here there is more sun than in St. Petersburg (laughs).

Recently Sergei Fedorov has been inducted to the Hall of Fame. Was he your childhood idol?

When I was a kid I didn’t even know all the players. The NHL wasn’t a goal for me. I couldn’t even dream about that. When I was a bit older, then I started paying attention to players. And of course Fedorov always impressed me.

Can you say the same about Alexander Ovechkin? Do you know him?

Yes, we got to know each other playing for the national team. It’s great that we have such a great player playing for Russia.

Soon Ovechkin will become the top Russian NHL goal-scorer of all times. Will you catch him up?

To get to that I have to play for long time like Jagr (laughs).