2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F Wayne Simmonds and G Braden Holtby

Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Players to Watch: F Derek Stepan and F Phil Kessel

Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers

Players to Watch: F John Tavares and D Aaron Ekblad

Who Wins: Panthers in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Dylan Larkin and G Ben Bishop

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Central Division Winner

Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars

Players to Watch: F Zach Parise and F Tyler Seguin

Who Wins: Stars in 6 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and F Vladimir Tarasenko

Who Wins: Blackhawks in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: F Filip Forsberg and F Ryan Kesler

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Players to Watch: F Joe Pavelski and D Drew Doughty

Who Wins: Kings in 6 games

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. New York Rangers vs. 4. Florida Panthers

2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. New York Islanders

1. Montreal Canadiens vs. 4. Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 3. Boston Bruins

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings

1. Nashville Predators vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. St. Louis Blues vs. 3. Chicago Blackhawks

Conference Finals

Capitals over Canadiens

Ducks over Blackhawks

Stanley Cup Finals

Ducks over Capitals

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators

They weren’t supposed to be contenders last year, but they’re now ahead of the curve.

2. St. Louis Blues

Stability in the crease will go towards whether they stay in the playoffs long term.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

The defending champs lost some key pieces, but you can’t count them out.

4. Dallas Stars

Some key acquisitions should mean a leap into the playoffs.

5. Minnesota Wild

Staying pat keeps them in contention in a tough division.

6. Colorado Avalanche

A draft day trade shook things up to put Colorado in a bounce back position.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Too many better teams for them to repeat last years success. Continue reading →

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers

Players to Watch: F Sidney Crosby and F Rick Nash

Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F John Tavares and F Alex Ovechkin

Who Wins: Capitals in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: D Erik Karlsson and F Max Pacioretty

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Henrik Zetterberg and F Steven Stamkos

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: F Blake Wheeler and Anaheim’s goaltenders

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Pacifici Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Players to Watch: F Jiri Hudler and F Radim Vrbata

Who Wins: Flames in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division Winner

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: G Devan Dubnyk and F Vladimir Tarasenko

Who Wins: Blues in 7 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and G Pekka Rinne

Who Wins: Predators in 7 games

Central Division

1. Chicago Blackhawks

With a stacked roster they should remain Cup contenders.

2. Colorado Avalanche

The surprise of the league last year they’ll have to build on that success.

3. St. Louis Blues

The problem wasn’t in net, it was up front with the top scoring lines.

4. Dallas Stars

Be prepared for a Hart Trophy like season from Tyler Seguin.

5. Minnesota Wild

Getting Vanek might be the final piece to the puzzle.

6. Winnipeg Jets

A loyal fan base will have to wait another year for a playoff spot.

7. Nashville Predators

With a new coach in place for the first time in franchise history, there will be a learning curve. Continue reading →