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

Stanley Cup Prediction

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

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

Atlantic Division

1. Montreal Canadiens

Now is the time for them to capitalize on Carey Price and P.K. Subban being in their prime.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

A tough Stanley Cup series should help them stay in contention.

3. Boston Bruins

Salary cap casualties shouldn’t derail any hopes of making the playoffs.

4. Florida Panthers

The young nucleus is coming together at the right time to surprise some opponents.

5. Detroit Red Wings

A new voice behind the bench will cause some bumps in the road.

6. Ottawa Senators

There’s a lot of talent, but it needs to come together first.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs

A new coach and front office will begin the long rebuilding project.

8. Buffalo Sabres

Getting Jack Eichel was a nice consolation prize. Continue reading →