What an incredible NHL regular season. The only thing that was predictable was its unpredictability. As shown by my preseason predictions. I picked all but 1 playoff team in the West but I only picked 3 playoff teams in the East. I picked both the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers to win their divisions. Both are lottery teams. Like a veteran goalie I’m shaking off the ones I want back. The playoffs are the second season so here we go.
EASTERN CONFERENCE-
Buffalo/Boston – It’s been 14 years since Buffalo made the playoffs. Boston has a ton of playoff experience and plays playoff hockey all season long. Buffalo’s offense is dynamic and their defensive core is stellar. BUFFALO in 7
Tampa Bay/Montreal – Tampa Bay has a lineup of Hall of Famers at forward. Montreal’s forwards are future stars and the future is now. Noah Dobson’s injury weakens the Habs backend. Tampa’s Hall of Fame goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is Vasilevskiy again. If Montreal splits in Tampa it will get very interesting. TAMPA BAY in 7
Carolina/Ottawa – ESPN would love to put this series on ESPN 9 because cornhole will get better ratings. on Bussi in in net for Carolina will be the difference. Regular season Rod’s team’s usually wait until the 2nd round to get exposed. Canes will bleed this series dry. Wake me up when it’s over. CAROLINA in 7
Pittsburgh/Philadelphia – Pittsburgh is the better team. They have superior star power and depth at forward. Erik Karlsson’s resurgence gives Pittsburgh the edge on the blueline. Dan Vladar is hot in Philly net but Pittsburgh’s Stu Skinner is 3 wins away from winning the last 2 Stanley Cups. Wacky things happen in this rivalry.
PITTSBURGH in 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE-
Colorado/Los Angeles – Colorado will give Anze Kopitar’s Kings the Gentlemen’s sweep. COLORADO in 6
Dallas/Minnesota – The Stars are missing All Star center Roope Hintz and All Star defenseman Miro Heiskanen is less than 100 percent. WIld All- Star forward Karill Kaprisov is looking to jump to the next stratosphere. Defenseman Quinn Hughes is in the next Stratosphere.
WILD in 7
Vegas/Mammoth – The Vegas Golden Knights have All- Stars Stanley Cup winners Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. Their supporting cast is not what it used to be. The Mammoth are a deeper team with superior goaltending. Karel Vejmelk can steal a series. MAMMOTH in 6
Edmonton/Anaheim – Edmonton has Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Anaheim has a well balanced team coached by Hall of Fame coach Joel Quenneville. Quenneville’s team also has better goaltending. Edmonton’s netminders Connor Ingram and Tristen Jarry will not stop enough pucks.
ANAHEIM in 7
