Central Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

The defending champions didn’t have to dismantle what they’ve built and another Cup run seems likely.

2. Dallas Stars

Not having Tyler Seguin for a large portion of the year could come back to hurt them. Thankfully their defense is their bread and butter.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

If they can get a consistent goalie during the playoffs, they’ll be tough to beat.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Just when you think they won’t be contenders they always find a way.

5. Florida Panthers

If goalie Sergei Bobrovsky can regain his Vezina trophy winning form, they should be a playoff team.

6. Nashville Predators

It looks like the days of ‘Smashville’ are just about over.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

There is no denying that they are rebuilding now and for the foreseeable future.

8. Detroit Red Wings

The growing pains will continue with some veterans being stopgaps for the prospects this season. Continue reading →

2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 8. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: G Carter Hart and G Carey Price

Who Wins: Flyers in 5 games

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 7. Columbus Blue Jackets

Players to Watch: F Nikita Kucherov and D Seth Jones

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

3. Washington Capitals vs. 6. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: G Braden Holtby and D Ryan Pulock

Who Wins: Islanders in 7 games

4. Boston Bruins vs. 5. Carolina Hurricanes

Players to Watch: F David Pastrnak and F Sebastian Aho

Who Wins: Hurricanes in 7 games

Western Conference

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks

Players to Watch: G Robin Lehner and G Corey Crawford

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games

2. Colorado Avalanche vs. 7. Phoenix Coyotes

Players to Watch: D Cale Makar and F Taylor Hall

Who Wins: Avalanche in 6 games

3. Dallas Stars vs. 6. Calgary Flames

Players to Watch: G Ben Bishop and F Sean Monahan

Who Wins: Flames in 6 games

4. St. Louis Blues vs. 5. Vancouver Canucks

Players to Watch: D Alex Pietrangelo and D Quinn Hughes

Who Wins: Blues in 7 games

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators

Their defense is still stacked, but will the offense match?

2. St. Louis Blues

Coming in as defending Stanley Cup champions shouldn’t have any effect on this team.

3. Colorado Avalanche

They were a dark horse team last year, but they should be legit contenders this year.

4. Winnipeg Jets

The loss of a few key players will hurt, but this team is too talented to not make the playoffs.

5. Dallas Stars

If they remain a defensive stalwart they’ll be playing in the playoffs once again.

6. Minnesota Wild

They seem to always be a player or two away from making a leap in a stacked division.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

They could certainly make strides this year, but everyone above them is better by far. Continue reading →

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators

Their depth on defense is stacked, but they need more production from their forwards.

2. Winnipeg Jets

This team is built to win right now. They’ll have about 2-3 more seasons of being Cup contenders.

3. St. Louis Blues

They were the most active team in the offseason and that should get them back into the playoffs.

4. Minnesota Wild

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a Bruce Boudreau led team will again make the playoffs against all the odds.

5. Colorado Avalanche

Their forward group will outscore a lot of teams, but will their goalie situation improve from last year?

6. Dallas Stars

A new coach and a new style, but it’s one that will mesh well with the star power they have.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

It will be a big learning curve for the youngsters coming in, but Chicago’s veterans will make it easier. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Montreal Canadiens vs. 4. Ottawa Senators

2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Columbus Blue Jackets

2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. New York Rangers

Western Conference

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. Nashville Predators vs. 3. St. Louis Blues

1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Calgary Flames

Conference Finals

Canadiens over Penguins

Oilers over Predators

Stanley Cup Finals

Oilers over Canadiens