The first is off and running on Saturday, and it is time to make some predictions. 
Rangers vs Capitals – The Rangers have elite offensive forwards Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider. They also have top tier defensemen Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller and a excellent goaltender Igor Shesterkin. They should handle the Capitals easily. The Capitals do have a few remaining players from their Stanley Cup in 2018. Alex Ovechkin and TJ Oshie can score clutch goals. Terrible Tommy Wilson can cause mayhem but needs to stay out of the box because although Washington’s goalie Charlie Lindgren is on a heater New York’s power play is lethal.
RANGERS in 5
Hurricanes vs Islanders – The Carolina Hurricanes always needed an exceptional goal scorer to advance further in the playoffs. The Canes acquired two this season to fill that void Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov to fill that void. Now Carolina will be able to score as well as play their in your face checking game. The Islanders are coming into the playoffs the hottest team in the East. Patrick Roy got this veteran laden team to buy in. Semyon Varlamov led the charge and took over the starting goaltending job. The Fishermen have the advantage in net and nowhere else.
HURRICANES in 5.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs – Last season the Boston Bruins had a recording breaking regular season only to be upset in the first round of the playoffs. The Maples Leafs made it to the second round for the first time with their core four (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander). The Bruins came back this season with another great regular season thanks to David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand even with their top two centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retiring. The Leafs got tougher this season with the acquisitions of Tyler Bertuzzi Max Domi, Ryan Reaves and Joel Edmundson. This season the Leafs clear another hurdle and slay their boogie man the Bruins.
LEAFS in 7
Panthers vs Lightning – The Battle of Florida will be a war. How do you pick against the Bolts? They are former Stanley Cup champions. The Lightning have three forty goal scorers ( Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos), the best defensemen Victor Hedman and best goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy of the last decade. You pick against the Bolts because the Big Cats have been the best team in the East all year. Sasha Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe lead a forward group that racks up both points and penalty minutes with ease. As does the Panthers defense. Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky is decorated and can match Vasilevskiy in net.
PANTHERS in 7.
Stars vs Golden Knights – The defending Stanley Cup Champion Golden Knights are wobbling into the playoffs healthy. Captain Mark Stone and star defensemen Alex Pietrangelo are returning from injury. The Dallas Stars are the best team in the Western conference. Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson are elite young forwards. Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are veteran forwards who still play at a high level. Miro Heiskanen leads a mobile Cup worthy defense unit. Even if Vegas’ skaters get on track this series their goaltending has been shoddy this year. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger is at the top of his game.
STARS in 6
Jets vs Avalanche – The Winnipeg Jets are the trendy Cup winner pick this year. They had a remarkable regular season. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele had impressive campaigns. The Jets actually added at the deadline. The Jets have the best goalie in the NHL Connor Hellebuyck. I’m just not ready to accept that Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen and company are going to lose in the first round. I don’t care who is in net for Colorado.
AVS in 7.
Canucks vs Predators – The Canucks do not want their fabulous season to end. Head Coach Rick Tocchet got Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller and the rest of the forwards to all pull the rope in the same direction. Filip Hronek gave likely Norris winner Quinn Hughes a steady partner. Thatcher Demko in finally heathy and appears to be ready for a deep run. Nashville’s veterans Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, Jussi Saros and the rest of the Predators will not go down without a fight.
CANUCKS in 7.
Oilers vs Kings – It’s the 3rd year in a row the Oilers will face the Kings in the first round. Unfortunately for the Kings the results will be the same, a first round exit. The Oilers have maximum power upfront with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They are fortified with Zach Hyman, Evander Kane and Adam Henrique. The Kings top line of Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield is elite. Kevin Fiala, Victor Arvidsson Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault give the Kings more forward depth. The Kings are deeper lines one thru four. Both teams have adequate defense cores that can score and play reasonable defense. The Oilers advantage is in net. Stuart Skinner isn’t Grant Fuhr but the Kings netminding is subpar.
OILERS in 7
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