* – indicates playoffs
MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Rookie – F Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic
Coach – JB Bickerstaff – Cleveland Cavaliers
Defensive Player – F O.G. Anunoby – Toronto Raptors
Most Improved – G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Sixth Man – G Jordan Poole – Golden State Warriors
Executive – Koby Altman – Cleveland Cavaliers
Continue reading
Eastern Conference
1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. New York Rangers
2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 3. Washington Capitals
1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Florida Panthers
2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. Winnipeg Jets
2. Minnesota Wild vs. 3. Dallas Stars
1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 4. Edmonton Oilers
2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings
Conference Finals
Hurricanes over Lightning
Avalanche over Kings
Stanley Cup Finals
Hurricanes over Avalanche
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Florida Panthers vs. 4. Washington Capitals
Players to Watch: F Jonathan Huberdeau and Goalies Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov
Who Wins: Panthers in 5 games
2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: F Auston Matthews and D Victor Hedman
Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games
Metropolitan Division
1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. Boston Bruins
Players to Watch: D Jaccob Slavin and F Brad Marchand
Who Wins: Hurricanes in 6 games
2. New York Rangers vs. 3. Pittsburgh Penguins
Players to Watch: G Igor Shesterkin and F Sidney Crosby
Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games
Western Conference
Central Division
1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. Nashville Predators
Players to Watch: F Nathan McKinnon and D Roman Josi
Who Wins: Avalanche in 6 games
2. Minnesota Wild vs. 3. St. Louis Blues
Players to Watch: F Kirill Kaprizov and F Vladimir Tarasenko
Who Wins: Wild in 7 games
Pacific Division
1. Calgary Flames vs. 4. Dallas Stars
Players to Watch: F Johnny Gaudreau and F Jason Robertson
Who Wins: Flames in 5 games
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings
Players to Watch: F Connor McDavid and G Jonathan Quick
Who Wins: Oilers in 6 games
* – indicates playoffs
MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Rookie – C Evan Mobley – Cleveland Cavaliers
Coach – Taylor Jenkins – Memphis Grizzlies
Defensive Player – C Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Most Improved – F Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors
Sixth Man – G Tyler Herro – Miami Heat
Executive – Arturas Karnisovas – Chicago Bulls
Playoffs
Continue reading1. 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
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