2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Taylor Hall and G Andrei Vasilevskiy

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: F Nazem Kadri and F Brad Marchand

Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: D Seth Jones and D John Carlson

Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Players to Watch: F Jakub Voracek and F Evgeni Malkin

Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Central Division Winner

Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: D Tyson Barrie and G Pekka Rinne

Who Wins: Predators in 5 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets

Players to Watch: F Jason Zucker and G Connor Hellebuyck

Who Wins: Jets in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Players to Watch: F Anze Kopitar and F William Karlsson

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 7 games

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: G Martin Jones and G John Gibson

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Central Division

1. Chicago Blackhawks

The deepest roster in the Western Conference should keep them in the conversation for Cup contenders.

2. Nashville Predators

Last years Cup run was no fluke. They’ll remain favorites to return.

3. St. Louis Blues

Plenty of talent to go around, but that salary cap is going to start collapsing on them.

4. Minnesota Wild

There’s plenty of fire power on offense, but do they have enough to stop opponents come playoff time?

5. Dallas Stars

A few major acquisitions has them knocking on the door of clinching a playoff berth.

6. Winnipeg Jets

Playing in a tough division has them remaining near the bottom of the conference.

7. Colorado Avalanche

They’ll need to decide soon who will remain for their inevitable roster rebuild. Continue reading →

Central Division

1. St. Louis Blues

This is probably their last and best shot a hoisting the Cup with the current roster.

2. Dallas Stars

They are here to stay and make some noise.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

The salary cap is starting to slowly peel away at their roster.

4. Nashville Predators

Having P.K. Subban might bring a new influx of life into the team.

5. Minnesota Wild

Their scoring output is almost unmatched, but can they stop anyone from scoring?

6. Winnipeg Jets

They are not a spending spree kind of team and will have to rely on building from within.

7. Colorado Avalanche

The last minute departure of head coach Patrick Roy will set them back a bit. Continue reading →

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators

They weren’t supposed to be contenders last year, but they’re now ahead of the curve.

2. St. Louis Blues

Stability in the crease will go towards whether they stay in the playoffs long term.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

The defending champs lost some key pieces, but you can’t count them out.

4. Dallas Stars

Some key acquisitions should mean a leap into the playoffs.

5. Minnesota Wild

Staying pat keeps them in contention in a tough division.

6. Colorado Avalanche

A draft day trade shook things up to put Colorado in a bounce back position.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Too many better teams for them to repeat last years success. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Detroit Red Wings

2. Montreal Canadiens vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

1. New York Rangers vs. 4. Philadelphia Flyers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Los Angeles Kings vs. 3. San Joes Sharks

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. Colorado Avalanche vs. 3. St. Louis Blues

Conference Finals

Canadiens over Rangers

Blackhawks over Kings

Stanley Cup Finals

Blackhawks over Canadiens