Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Players to Watch: F Nikita Kucherov and G Matt Murray
Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games
Western Conference
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues
Players to Watch: D Brent Burns and F Vladimir Tarasenko
Who Wins: Sharks in 7 games
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Players to Watch: F Evgeni Malkin and F T.J. Oshie
Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division #2
New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: F John Taveras and G Ben Bishop
Who Wins: Lightning in 7 games
Western Conference
Central Division #2 vs. Central Division Winner
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars
Players to Watch: F Vladimir Tarasenko and F Jamie Benn
Who Wins: Blues in 7 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division #3
Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks
Players to Watch: D Shea Weber and F Joe Pavelski
Who Wins: Predators in 7 games
Eastern Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Players to Watch: F Wayne Simmonds and G Braden Holtby
Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games
Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Players to Watch: F Derek Stepan and F Phil Kessel
Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner
New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
Players to Watch: F John Tavares and D Aaron Ekblad
Who Wins: Panthers in 6 games
Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2
Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: F Dylan Larkin and G Ben Bishop
Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games
Western Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Central Division Winner
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
Players to Watch: F Zach Parise and F Tyler Seguin
Who Wins: Stars in 6 games
Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and F Vladimir Tarasenko
Who Wins: Blackhawks in 6 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division Winner
Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks
Players to Watch: F Filip Forsberg and F Ryan Kesler
Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games
Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings
Players to Watch: F Joe Pavelski and D Drew Doughty
Who Wins: Kings in 6 games
Eastern Conference
1. New York Rangers vs. 4. Florida Panthers
2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. New York Islanders
1. Montreal Canadiens vs. 4. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 3. Boston Bruins
Western Conference
1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild
2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings
1. Nashville Predators vs. 4. Dallas Stars
2. St. Louis Blues vs. 3. Chicago Blackhawks
Conference Finals
Capitals over Canadiens
Ducks over Blackhawks
Stanley Cup Finals
Ducks over Capitals
1. New York Rangers
A few roster tweaks still has them atop the Eastern Conference.
2. Washington Capitals
The team is buying in to what head coach Barry Trotz is selling.
3. New York Islanders
They’ll have a new home and a new fire to get back into the playoffs.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
Adding another top tier scorer keeps them in contention.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
The grittiest team in the division always seems to find a way.
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Their looking for a new identity after another head coaching change.
7. New Jersey Devils
A new era is beginning and there are some encouraging signs.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
They have yet to find a franchise cog in net for quite some time. Continue reading
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