First ill admit defeat. I wrote these predictions before thought id try to be clever and somehow had San Jose and New York in the finals and I said to myself, don’t bet against your gut. So these picks have been painstakingly hard to make. However I must speak some wisdom so without further ado here are the definitive NHL playoff predictions.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators: This playoff series has some spice to it every time the Preds meet the Hawks in April they tend to give them a scare. A scare they are never shaken to their core, the same happens this year the Blackhawks with the help of Corey Crawford who is playing his best hockey of the season advance in 6.
Minnesota Wild Vs Saint Louis Blues: The Blues are playing the best they ever have coming into March. Not to mention they had their best playoff performance of the decade last year also they’re coached by former Wild coach Mike Yeo. That plus Vladimir Taresenko equal a 7 game win vs the Wild in the first round.
Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames: I think the Ducks will sweep this series. However if the flames get there power play going, or if they can outscore a Ducks team who only scores 2.6 goals a game. I can’t even talk myself into that though Ducks in 4.
Edmonton Oilers vs San Jose Sharks: Ok I’m going bold, betting on the kids from Alberta against San Jose. Conor Mcdavid the second best young player in the NHL (yes Auston Matthews is the no doubt best) will carry his team through too the second round in 7.
Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers: You thought that all these first rounder’s were going to be milk toast safe bets didn’t you? Wrong I have the Rangers upsetting the Habs. Though Carey Price is the best goalie in Hockey. He can’t single handedly win a series against a rangers team that only missed a divisional spot because they play in the Metro. It’s hard to have an all-around great team but the Rangers have it. Look for them to make a run beating the Habs in 6.
Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs: This will be the most fun series to watch, hear me out. The Capitals are the best team in the NHL the Leafs the best young team in the NHL. Both these teams feature break neck speed and skill both feature good defensive cores and both Washington (especially this year) and Toronto are fantastic playoff atmospheres. It comes down to the fact that Washington is just more experienced. That being said this is there hardest test Toronto is playing with house money no one I mean no one expected them to be here. It’s not crazy to think they could pull an upset, they won’t, but this team will take it the distance. Capitals win in 7.
Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins: Boston is great come playoff time and they will sweep the Sens.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets: Blue Jackets: The defending champs have a lot to handle with the Blue Jackets. Both of these teams have speed and though the Jackets were slumping through the end of the season they got a spark back in the last game of the season. I think that Pittsburgh probably has this thing but it seems like one of those series that the Jackets could surprise in. Safe bet though, Pittsburgh in 7.
Round 2
Chicago Blackhawks vs Saint Lois Blues: It’s all about experience and who’s hot in these playoffs. In this case it’s the Blue notes. This is the best playoff series to watch the whole time back and fourth hard hitting lots of overtimes but in 7 the Blues take it.
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers: Oilers give the Ducks a scare but in the end lack the playoff experience lose in 7.
Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers: Tukka Rask carries the Bruins past the Rangers who get drained in the series with Montreal. The Blue shirts are good but not that good. Bruins in 6.
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins: This is where the moral questions creep in. Every year, every damn year, the lowly sports writer says this is the year the year of the Capitals and it never is. Maybe it is the Capitals year I hope it is but I just won’t be doped my pick is Penguins in 7.
Conference Finals
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins: Yep Boston keeps rolling. God I can’t believe I’ve talked myself into this but now is the time of Tukka. Rask takes Bean town to the cup finals in 7.
Anaheim Ducks vs Saint Louis Blues: Blues in 6.
Stanley Cup Finals
Boston Bruins vs Saint Louis Blues: Sexy? No but when are these ever sexy its decorated franchise against the pride of the American south as far as hockey goes. Missouri vs Boston yup that’s the matchup were getting. I’m going Blues new coach new culture. So there will be a cup in penantville Blues in 6.