West Division

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1. Colorado Avalanche

They proved in the playoffs last year that they are among the best offensive teams in the league.

2. Vegas Golden Knights

Adding a Stanley Cup winner in Alex Pietrangelo on defense shows they are still in a win-now mode for this young franchise.

3. St. Louis Blues

Losing Pietrangelo will hurt, but getting Torey Krug isn’t a bad consolation prize.

4. Minnesota Wild

Their team depth and playing in a weaker division has them primed for a playoff spot.

5. Arizona Coyotes

Too much turmoil in the front office, but the talent is there for playoff contention.

6. Anaheim Ducks

They’re probably another year away from contention, but the offense needs to start showing more progress.

7. San Jose Sharks

Their run for a Cup has come and gone.

8. Los Angeles Kings

The growing pains will continue as will the cap crunch for goalie Jonathan Quick and defenseman Drew Doughty. Continue reading

Pacific Division

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1. Vegas Golden Knights

A full season with the group they put together during last season should put them at the top.

2. Calgary Flames

They took a big step forward last year, but there are still questions in net.

3. San Jose Sharks

Their captain left via free agency, but they have one of the deepest defensive units in the league.

4. Arizona Coyotes

This is the year they need to put it all together and make a playoff push.

5. Anaheim Ducks

There should be improvements in many areas, but they’re another year away from contention.

6. Los Angeles Kings

The reset button has been hit, but they aren’t going all out for a rebuild just yet.

7. Vancouver Canucks

If their defense and goalie can match what their offense can dish out, they can make a leap in the division.

8. Edmonton Oilers

Not a lot is expected from them and that is a good thing for this franchise. Time to fly under the radar. Continue reading

Stanley Cup Prediction

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Eastern Conference

1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 4. Philadelphia Flyers

2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Boston Bruins

1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. New Jersey Devils

2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. Columbus Blue Jackets

Western Conference

1. Nashville Predators vs. 4. Colorado Avalanche

2. Winnipeg Jets vs. 3. St. Louis Blues

1. San Jose Sharks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Anaheim Ducks

Conference Finals

Lightning over Capitals

Jets over Sharks

Stanley Cup Finals

Lightning over Jets

Pacific Division

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1. San Jose Sharks

They became legit contenders with the addition of Erik Karlsson.

2. Vegas Golden Knights

Their cinderella season wasn’t a fluke. They should be contenders once again.

3. Anaheim Ducks

Health and the play of goaltender of John Gibson will determine their success.

4. Los Angeles Kings

It was an early exit in the playoffs last year, but too many questions remain about their scoring prowess.

5. Calgary Flames

They’re solid in a lot of areas, but they play in a stacked conference to get to the playoffs.

6. Edmonton Oilers

There is so much talent here, yet it almost goes to waste in Edmonton.

7. Arizona Coyotes

Some clever moves have the Coyotes positioned to be a surprise team this season.

8. Vancouver Canucks

The Sedin twins have retired and the Canucks will look for a new franchise player. Continue reading

2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

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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