2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

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

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

Central Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

The defending champions didn’t have to dismantle what they’ve built and another Cup run seems likely.

2. Dallas Stars

Not having Tyler Seguin for a large portion of the year could come back to hurt them. Thankfully their defense is their bread and butter.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

If they can get a consistent goalie during the playoffs, they’ll be tough to beat.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Just when you think they won’t be contenders they always find a way.

5. Florida Panthers

If goalie Sergei Bobrovsky can regain his Vezina trophy winning form, they should be a playoff team.

6. Nashville Predators

It looks like the days of ‘Smashville’ are just about over.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

There is no denying that they are rebuilding now and for the foreseeable future.

8. Detroit Red Wings

The growing pains will continue with some veterans being stopgaps for the prospects this season. Continue reading →

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators

Their defense is still stacked, but will the offense match?

2. St. Louis Blues

Coming in as defending Stanley Cup champions shouldn’t have any effect on this team.

3. Colorado Avalanche

They were a dark horse team last year, but they should be legit contenders this year.

4. Winnipeg Jets

The loss of a few key players will hurt, but this team is too talented to not make the playoffs.

5. Dallas Stars

If they remain a defensive stalwart they’ll be playing in the playoffs once again.

6. Minnesota Wild

They seem to always be a player or two away from making a leap in a stacked division.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

They could certainly make strides this year, but everyone above them is better by far. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 4. New Jersey Devils

2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Boston Bruins

1. Washington Capitals vs. 4. Florida Panthers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 3. Carolina Hurricanes

Western Conference

1. Nashville Predators vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. St. Louis Blues vs. 3. Colorado Avalanche

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 4. Winnipeg Jets

2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. San Jose Sharks Continue reading →