2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

East Division

1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: G Tristan Jarry and F Mathew Barzal

Who Wins: Penguins in 6 games

2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: D John Carlson and G Tuukka Rask

Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games

Central Division

1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: F Martin Necas and G Juuse Saros

Who Wins: Hurricanes in 5 games

2. Florida Panthers vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: D MacKenzie Weegar and D Victor Hedman

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

North Division

1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 4. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: F Auston Matthews and G Carey Price

Who Wins: Maple Leafs in 5 games

2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Winnipeg Jets

Players to Watch: F Connor McDavid and F Mark Scheifele

Who Wins: Oilers in 7 games

West Division

1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: F Nathan McKinnon and G Jordan Binnington

Who Wins: Avalanche in 6 games

2. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Minnesota Wild

Players to Watch: D Shea Theodore and F Kirill Kaprizov

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 7 games

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 →

North Division

1. Vancouver Canucks

It should come as no surprise that Vancouver played as well as they did in the Playoff bubble last season.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

There is far too much talent on this team to fail once again. But the frustration will grow when the cap crunch comes.

3. Calgary Flames

A few shrewd moves in the offseason have Calgary hoping they solved their glaring issues. Mainly in net.

4. Edmonton Oilers

Expect huge scoring numbers from the offense. The rest of the group needs to be above average or better to clinch a playoff spot.

5. Winnipeg Jets

They could be a sneaky good team with Connor Hellebuyck in net.

6. Montreal Canadiens

A lot has to go right for them once again. Unfortunately they play in a very talented Canadian division.

7. Ottawa Senators

The future is quickly coming for them and this season will be an interesting one to watch. Continue reading →

Pacific Division

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 →

Pacific Division

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 →