Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division #2 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F David Pastrnak and F Nikita Kucherov

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Metropolitan Division Winner #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F Jake Guentzel and G Braden Holtby

Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games

Western Conference

Central Division #2 vs. Central Division Winner

Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: F Patrik Laine and D P.K. Subban

Who Wins: Predators in 7 games

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division Winner

San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Players to Watch: F Evander Kane and D Deryk Engelland

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games

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

Central Division

1. Chicago Blackhawks

The deepest roster in the Western Conference should keep them in the conversation for Cup contenders.

2. Nashville Predators

Last years Cup run was no fluke. They’ll remain favorites to return.

3. St. Louis Blues

Plenty of talent to go around, but that salary cap is going to start collapsing on them.

4. Minnesota Wild

There’s plenty of fire power on offense, but do they have enough to stop opponents come playoff time?

5. Dallas Stars

A few major acquisitions has them knocking on the door of clinching a playoff berth.

6. Winnipeg Jets

Playing in a tough division has them remaining near the bottom of the conference.

7. Colorado Avalanche

They’ll need to decide soon who will remain for their inevitable roster rebuild. Continue reading →

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

Hard to imagine the Patriots not making another appearance in the AFC Championship game.

2. Miami Dolphins

Even without Ryan Tannehill, they’re still good enough to make another trip to the playoffs.

3. Buffalo Bills

They’ve hit the reset button once again with changes in the front office and the coaching staff.

4. New York Jets

With no clear cut franchise quarterback, they will be playing for one in the 2018 NFL Draft. Continue reading →

Central Division

1. St. Louis Blues

This is probably their last and best shot a hoisting the Cup with the current roster.

2. Dallas Stars

They are here to stay and make some noise.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

The salary cap is starting to slowly peel away at their roster.

4. Nashville Predators

Having P.K. Subban might bring a new influx of life into the team.

5. Minnesota Wild

Their scoring output is almost unmatched, but can they stop anyone from scoring?

6. Winnipeg Jets

They are not a spending spree kind of team and will have to rely on building from within.

7. Colorado Avalanche

The last minute departure of head coach Patrick Roy will set them back a bit. Continue reading →