Central Division

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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

2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F Auston Matthews and F Alex Ovechkin

Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Players to Watch: G Sergei Bobrovsky and F Evgeni Malkin

Who Wins: Penguins in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: F J.T. Miller and G Carey Price

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators

Players to Watch: F David Pastrnak and D Erik Karlsson

Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Central Division Winner

Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Players to Watch: D P.K. Subban and F Artemi Panarin

Who Wins: Blackhawks in 5 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild

Players to Watch: F Vladimir Tarasenko and F Eric Staal

Who Wins: Blues in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: G Brian Elliott and F Rickard Rakell

Who Wins: Ducks in 5 games

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Players to Watch: D Brent Burns and G Cam Talbot

Who Wins: Oilers in 7 games

Stanley Cup Prediction

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STANLEY CUP

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 4. Philadelphia Flyers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 3. New York Islanders

1. Florida Panthers vs. 4. New York Rangers

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 3. Montreal Canadiens

Western Conference

1. St. Louis Blues vs. 4. Arizona Coyotes

2. Dallas Stars vs. 3. Chicago Blackhawks

1. Los Angeles Kings vs. 4. Nashville Predators

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 3. Anaheim Ducks

Conference Finals

Panthers over Islanders

Blues over Sharks

Stanley Cup Finals

Blues over Panthers

Central Division

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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

2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

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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