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

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Detroit Red Wings

2. Montreal Canadiens vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

1. New York Rangers vs. 4. Philadelphia Flyers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Los Angeles Kings vs. 3. San Joes Sharks

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4. Dallas Stars

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

Conference Finals

Canadiens over Rangers

Blackhawks over Kings

Stanley Cup Finals

Blackhawks over Canadiens

2014 Stanley Cup Champions

They were nearly swept in the first round. Their backs were against the wall with their crosstown rivals. And they had to defeat the defending Stanley Cup champions. Now imagine if the Los Angeles Kings had won the Stanley Cup last year. This would be their third consecutive Cup title and the first such feat since 1983 when the New York Islanders had finished off their fourth consecutive championship. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Conference Finals Preview

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: G Henrik Lundqvist Rangers and D P.K. Subban Canadiens

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Western Conference

Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Players to Watch: F Anze Kopitar Kings and F Jonathan Toews Blackhawks

Who Wins: Blackhawks in 7 games

NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: D P.K. Subban Canadiens and G Tuukka Rask Bruins

Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Players to Watch: F Brad Richards Rangers and G Marc-Andre Fleury Penguins

Who Wins: Penguins in 6 games

Western Conference

Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: F Anze Kopitar Kings and F Ryan Getzlaf Ducks

Who Wins: Ducks in 7 games

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Players to Watch: F Zach Parise Wild and F Patrick Kane Blackhawks

Who Wins: Blackhawks in 6 games