Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 2. New Jersey Devils

Players to Watch: Goalies Antti Raanta & Frederik Andersen and F Jack Hughes

Who Wins: Hurricanes in 6 games

2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 4. Florida Panthers

Players to Watch: F Mitchell Marner and G Sergei Bobrovsky

Who Wins: Maple Leafs in 6 games

Western Conference

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 2. Edmonton Oilers

Players to Watch: F Mark Stone and F Connor McDavid

Who Wins: Oilers in 7 games

4. Seattle Kraken vs. 2. Dallas Stars

Players to Watch: G Philipp Grubauer and G Jake Oettinger

Who Wins: Stars in 6 games

2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Florida Panthers

Players to Watch: G Linus Ullmark and F Matthew Tkachuk

Who Wins: Bruins in 5 games

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

Players to Watch: F Auston Matthews and F Nikita Kucherov

Who Wins: Lightning in 7 games

Metropolitan Division

1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: F Sebastian Aho and G Ilya Sorokin

Who Wins: Hurricanes in 6 games

2. New Jersey Devils vs. 3. New York Rangers

Players to Watch: F Jack Hughes and G Igor Shesterkin

Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games

Western Conference

Pacific Division

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 4. Winnipeg Jets

Players to Watch: G Jonathan Quick and G Connor Hellebuyck

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games

2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings

Players to Watch: F Connor McDavid and F Adrian Kempe

Who Wins: Kings in 7 games

Central Division

1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. Seattle Kraken

Players to Watch: F Mikko Rantanen and D Vince Dunn

Who Wins: Avalanche in 5 games

2. Dallas Stars vs. 3. Minnesota Wild

Players to Watch: F Jason Robertson and Goalies Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury

Who Wins: Stars in 6 games

East Division

1. Philadelphia Flyers

Last year might not have ended the way they hoped, but they are far too talented to not make another run.

2. Boston Bruins

Their defense took a hit in free agency. Their depth on offense should help offset any issues on the blue line.

3. New York Islanders

The Barry Trotz system is working to near perfection on Long Island.

4. New York Rangers

This is their chance to show a quick turnaround in their rebuild to become contenders.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

It would be shocking to see them miss the playoffs, but there are too many holes that could be hard to overcome down the stretch.

6. Washington Capitals

The cap crunch is coming and some players are starting to show their age on the ice.

7. Buffalo Sabres

If they weren’t playing in a stacked division like this one, they could be contending for a Wild Card spot.

8. New Jersey Devils

They fell flat on the ice last year and this season won’t be any better for them. Continue reading →

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 Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 4. New Jersey Devils

2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Boston Bruins

1. Washington Capitals vs. 4. Florida Panthers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 3. Carolina Hurricanes

Western Conference

1. Nashville Predators vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. St. Louis Blues vs. 3. Colorado Avalanche

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 4. Winnipeg Jets

2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. San Jose Sharks Continue reading →