“I can’t wait for the playoff beards to grow again!”

Sky Deutschland has been the official, new television partner of the NHL in Germany since the end of September 2021. The subscription TV provider acquired extensive broadcasting rights to the National Hockey League (NHL) and will broadcast the league live in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol in the 2021/22 up to and including 2024/25 seasons. With the live transmission of around 300 games per season, Sky will offer its customers more NHL matches over the next four seasons than have ever been shown on German television.

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In addition, Sky regularly broadcasts NHL Saturday and NHL Sunday, with games taking place on weekends in European evening time. German commentators are regularly used for broadcasts in Germany. We spoke to two of the most prominent of them during the 2021/22 main round and introduced them to the readers of NHL.com/de. Now, at the end of the regular season, we got in touch with Marcel Meinert and Olivier Zwartyes again to talk to them about the biggest surprises of the past few months and to get an outlook on the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022 from them.

Hello you two! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us again today. What was the biggest positive surprise of the 2021/22 regular season for you?

Olivier Zwartyes: The Florida Panthers were the biggest surprise for me. They did look good in the Discover Central division last season. But I didn’t expect the Cats to have such an outstanding season. And that despite the fact that national coach Toni Söderholm said in a talk on Sky Sport News at the start of the season that Florida was one of his top favorites. That shows what a good eye Toni has. It’s good that he’s staying with the DEB longer 😉 The Panthers were so incredibly consistent and had a home strength that is unchallenged. The performances in their own BB&T center were impressive.

Marcel Meinert: I didn’t think that the Nashville Predators could actually play for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with their young squad. Minnesota and St. Louis also presented themselves as very stable. I’m also pleased that the Rangers made a successful transition and that they safely qualified for the knockout phase.

And which team did you think fell short of expectations the most?

Marcel Meinert: If, like the Montreal Canadiens, you go from last year’s finalists to the worst team in the league, that’s of course a real disaster. But there are other teams from which I expected a lot more. These include, for example, the Philadelphia Flyers and also the inaugural season of the Seattle Kraken. Even if it took place under difficult conditions, the season has been disappointing for me. And then there’s the Vegas Golden Knights… Nobody there seriously considered a possible exit after the regular season.

Olivier Zwartyes: Definitely the Montreal Canadiens. From Stanley Cup finalists to bottom of the table, I didn’t expect that. In my opinion, the Habs played beyond their means last season and especially in the playoffs. That’s why I wasn’t expecting a strong season. But the fact that Montreal is crashing like this is extreme. But the conditions were at least as extreme. If you have to do without the two most important players in a season, it will be difficult. Carey Price in goal and captain Shea Weber cannot be replaced in the dressing room, both athletically and personally. A Nick Suzuki alone is not enough.

Which German-speaking player surprised you the most?

Olivier Zwartyes: Absolutely Moritz Seider. What he did this season for the Detroit Red Wings is second to none. And that from day one. Eight points in his first nine NHL games is an incredible stat for a rookie defenseman. He plays so calmly, maturely and physically hard without being unfair. It’s fun to watch him every second. When you see his overview and routine, it’s easy to forget the fact that this is his first NHL season. The season in Sweden at Rögle BK taught him so much on his way to the NHL. The name Moritz Seider will be a big one in the NHL in the coming years, I’m quite sure of that. It is not for nothing that numerous Red Wings legends rave about Moritz. But at this point I would also like to Timo Meier to name. Of course he doesn’t play for the playoff spots with the Sharks, but the Swiss is so effective. His five goals against the LA Kings alone made history. Not to mention that it only took him two-thirds to do it. Too bad we won’t be seeing him in the playoffs again.

Video: DET@CAR: Seider converts a pass from Larkin

Marcel Meinert: We all knew what Moritz Seider could do. But I didn’t expect him to become the centerpiece of Detroit’s defense in his first NHL season. In his first year in the NHL, he already acts like an old hand in many elements and immediately became a leader in the Red Wings dressing room. The boy also brings the necessary humility to make a great career.

And which international player inspired you the most?

Marcel Meinert: I find it very difficult to pick one player there because there are so many different types in different positions, all of whom rightly play at the top of the best league in the world. But what always impresses me the most are the players who have been playing at the highest level as the faces of their franchises for many years. The importance that veterans like Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby what their teams still have is enormously high. Apart from that, you can tell from a nose for goal Auston Matthews just be enthusiastic, of course – that’s absolutely world class.

Olivier Zwartyes: Kirill Kaprizov. He’s not a real youngster at 25, but this is only his second NHL season. The Russian has a very large share in the good performance of the Minnesota Wild. He convinces with such an incredible technique, creativity and goal risk.

Is there a team that maybe not everyone expects to upset in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Video: MIN@STL: Kaprizov sets a wild record with 43rd

Olivier Zwartyes: The playoffs always have their own rules. So much can happen. Surprises are not uncommon. For example, who would have expected the Canadiens to make the Finals last season? Canada has been waiting for Lord Stanley for 30 years, and Toronto has been waiting much longer. 1967 is a long time ago. Auston Matthews has shown his gifted talent for years. But this season he’s going one step further. I wouldn’t be surprised if he and his team go far in the playoffs. But that would no longer be a real surprise in terms of performance.

Marcel Meinert: The power density in the NHL is so high that you have to take almost all teams very seriously before the knockout games. Since the playoffs are all about a wealth of experience and a good defense (including goalkeeping), I’ll take a closer look at the New York Rangers Igor Shesterkin throw. There is also a lot of routine in Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington, who will finish sixth to eighth in the East. In the West, I’m curious to see if Marco Sturm can annoy one or the other favorite with the Los Angeles Kings.

Which brings us to the all-important question: which team do you think will ultimately win the Stanley Cup?

Marcel Meinert: Colorado and Florida were the best teams in the main round and for me they are also the first contenders for the title. In the end, though, I’m betting on the Avalanche because I think it’s a bit more stable defensively. Besides, we would certainly all be happy if Nico Sturm would bring Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Germany.

Olivier Zwartyes: From a German point of view, I would like the Edmonton Oilers or the Colorado Avalanche to win the cup. Then it would have either Leon Draisaitl or Nico Sturm packed. The quality of the squad will be decisive in the playoffs, and I see Florida right at the top. Regardless of the fact that they are the best team of the regular season as of now. The Cats’ incredible home strength will help them in that as well. But luckily, the playoffs are unpredictable. That’s what makes it so exciting! I can hardly wait for the NHL players to grow their playoff beards again and for Sky Sport to say: It’s playoff time!

Thank you both for taking some time for us again! Let’s now look forward together to the coming weeks, which will hold the highlight of the ice hockey year in store for all of us!

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