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

Atlantic Division

1. Montreal Canadiens

As long as Carey Price remains in net, they will remain atop the division.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

The young core is getting better at a rapid pace.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

With the return of Steven Stamkos, Tampa has their sights set on a Cup run.

4. Ottawa Senators

Their playoff run last year was something to marvel. Time to see if they can go further.

5. Boston Bruins

The youth movement has begun in Boston.

6. Buffalo Sabres

Another head coaching change means the Sabres have to get on track quickly.

7. Florida Panthers

A disappointing season means lower expectations, which could bode well for this young, but talented group.

8. Detroit Red Wings

Moving into a new arena always brings optimism, but it will be hard to overlook their flaws. Continue reading →

2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

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

Atlantic Division

1. Florida Panthers

They have perhaps the best roster in the franchise’s history.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Bringing back Steven Stamkos was the only move for them to make.

3. Montreal Canadiens

Shea Weber brings them a new dynamic, but the health of Carey Price is their achilles heel.

4. Ottawa Senators

This young roster is coming together to maybe play for a playoff spot.

5. Boston Bruins

Their depth has taken a hit, but they can be a sneaky good team.

6. Buffalo Sabres

The future is coming together in a hurry, but the division is stacked at the top.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs

For the first time in a while, they have some excitement brewing in Toronto.

8. Detroit Red Wings

This could be a long season for one of the winningest franchise’s in NHL history. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Prediction

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