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 →

West Division

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 →

Stanley Cup Conference Finals Preview

Eastern Conference

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 6. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: F Nikita Kucherov and F Mathew Barzal

Who Wins: Lightning in 7 games

Western Conference

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Dallas Stars

Players to Watch: F Mark Stone and D Miro Heiskanen

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games

Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 6. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: G Carter Hart and G Semyon Varlamov

Who Wins: Islanders in 6 games

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 4. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: F Nikita Kucherov and G Jaroslav Halak

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Western Conference

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 5. Vancouver Canucks

Players to Watch: F Mark Stone and D Quinn Hughes

Who Wins: Canucks in 6 games

2. Colorado Avalanche vs. 3. Dallas Stars

Players to Watch: F Nazem Kadri and D Miro Heiskanen

Who Wins: Avalanche in 5 games

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