Stanley Cup Prediction

*Because of lockdown madness, the 2020-21 NHL season will have the four divisions playing against each other in their regions. This is a breakdown of my prediction for the Stanley Cup Playoff participants for the 2020-21 season. The top 4 teams from each division will play each other in the first two rounds. Then what would be the Conference Finals, the four remaining teams will be ranked 1-4 on their regular season point totals. The one-seed will play the fourth-seed and the second-seed will play the third-seed. Continue reading →

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

Metropolitan Division

1. Washington Capitals

With a few tweaks on defense this is still the best team in a stacked division.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Even without Phil Kessel, the Pens have plenty of scoring potential.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Their playoff run last year wasn’t a fluke and they should be contenders again.

4. New Jersey Devils

A healthy Taylor Hall with their off-season additions has them primed for playoff contention.

5. New York Rangers

Their rebuild got a big boost with the signing of Artemi Panarin.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

They finally have a franchise netminder, but who will be the focal point on offense?

7. Columbus Blue Jackets

A lot of changes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t compete and surprise some.

8. New York Islanders

The only reason they’re at this spot is because so many other teams made improvements. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card #2 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: G Sergei Bobrovsky and F Brad Marchand

Who Wins: Bruins in 6 games

Wild Card #1 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: F Sebastian Aho and G Robin Lehner

Who Wins: Islanders in 7 games

Western Conference

Wild Card #2 vs. Pacific Division #2

Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks

Players to Watch: F Mikko Rantanen and F Tomas Hertl

Who Wins: Avalanche in 6 games

Wild Card #1 vs. Central Division #3

Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: G Ben Bishop and G Jordan Binnington

Who Wins: Stars in 6 games