An opinionated and analytical view of sports since 2009.
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division Winner vs. Atlantic Division Winner
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: G Braden Holtby and F Nikita Kucherov
Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games
Western Conference
Pacific Division Winner vs. Central Division #2
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Players to Watch: F Jonathan Marchessault and F Paul Stastny
Who Wins: Golden Knights in 7 games
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
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
Eastern Conference
1. Montreal Canadiens vs. 4. Ottawa Senators
2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Columbus Blue Jackets
2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. New York Rangers
Western Conference
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4. Dallas Stars
2. Nashville Predators vs. 3. St. Louis Blues
1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Calgary Flames
Conference Finals
Canadiens over Penguins
Oilers over Predators
Stanley Cup Finals
Oilers over Canadiens
1. Montreal Canadiens
As long as Carey Price remains in net, they will remain atop the division.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
The young core is getting better at a rapid pace.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
With the return of Steven Stamkos, Tampa has their sights set on a Cup run.
4. Ottawa Senators
Their playoff run last year was something to marvel. Time to see if they can go further.
5. Boston Bruins
The youth movement has begun in Boston.
6. Buffalo Sabres
Another head coaching change means the Sabres have to get on track quickly.
7. Florida Panthers
A disappointing season means lower expectations, which could bode well for this young, but talented group.
8. Detroit Red Wings
Moving into a new arena always brings optimism, but it will be hard to overlook their flaws. Continue reading “Atlantic Division”
