The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on April 20th, so here are my final predictions of who’s taking the Cup home this year.
Western Conference
P.1 Vancouver Canucks vs WC1. Nashville Predators
The Vancouver Canucks are arguably the best team in the Western Conference so I don’t have to say much on why they will easily beat the Predators, and move on to the second round. I feel like the Preds might be able to steal a game especially since this Canucks team can sometimes play out of form. Canucks in 5.
P.2 Edmonton Oilers vs P.3 Las Vegas Golden Knights
This game will be a fun one that I can see going to seven especially since both these teams have been playing great hockey recently. I feel like Edmonton will win this series, and I know the Golden Knights made some great acquisitions during the trade deadline, and have so much depth, but Connor McDavid’s been playing with teams recently like they’re little kids, so for that reason, I have Oilers in 7.
C1. Dallas Stars vs WC2. Las Angeles Kings
The Stars will steamroll past the Kings in this series. The Kings are a good team, but good isn’t enough to beat the Stars, so for that reason Stars in 4.
C2.Winnipeg Jets vs C3. Colorado Avalanche
Wow, another amazing series that will take place in the first round. This will be the year that the West won’t run from Colorado. The Jets made some great trade deadline moves, and have made themselves a serious contender for the Cup this year, and the last time these two teams faced off Winnipeg smoked Colorado 7-0. The Avalanche will not be a difficult team to take down in the playoffs, but if any team can do it it’s this Jets team, Winnipeg Jets in 7.
Second Round
P1. Vancouver Canucks vs P2. Edmonton Oilers
The best player in the league Connor McDavid vs the best defender in the league Jack Hughes. This series will be electrifying as both teams have some of the best players in the league this year. I feel like the Oilers always end up choking in the playoffs, and I just can’t have them making a deep run with that record especially against this Canucks who will make you regret every single mistake you make. Canucks win in 6.
C1. Dallas Stars vs C2. Winnipeg Jets
This might be very controversial, but Winnipeg will make light work of the Stars in this series. Dallas is a great team, and I’m not denying that they can’t make a deep run, but this Winnipeg team is so good. Winnipeg also beat them 3-0 last time they played, and yes I know the Playoffs are different from the regular season, but I’m not betting against Winnipeg this year. Jets in 5.
Western Conference Finals
P1. Vancouver Canucks vs C2. Winnipeg Jets
What an amazing series this will be two Canadian teams against each other for a chance to make the Stanley Cup Finals. I have to stick with my gut on this one, and my gut is telling me to pick Winnipeg. Winnipeg has been rolling recently with the Addition of Sean Monahan, and Tyler Toffoli during the Trade deadline. Vancouver is a team that can go cold for a short period. I mean, they were number 1 in the NHL for so long and ended up winning their division by just 5 points. I can see Vancouver getting cold in this series, so give me Winnipeg in 7!
Eastern Conference
A1. Florida Panthers vs WC1. Tampa Bay Lightning
The battle for Florida in the Playoffs, how entertaining. Unfortunately, the fun won’t last for Tampa Bay, as the Panthers will win this series. The Panthers are a much better team compared to the Lightning, and that’s all that I need to confidently say Panthers in 5.
A2. Boston Bruins vs A3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Bruins in 4, the Maple Leafs are frauds especially when they face the Bruins, no other explanation is needed. Just take a look back at who won in 2013, 2018, and 2019 when these two teams faced each other for more reasons as to why the Bruins will win in 4.
M1. New York Rangers vs WC2. Washington Capitals
The Capitals should not be in the playoffs their goal differential is -37 and set the record for the worst team to make it into the playoffs. The Rangers should win this series, but there’s one thing that will stop them “The President’s Trophy Curse.” So as much as I hate Saying it Caps in 7.
M2. Carolina Hurricanes vs M3. New York islanders
The Islanders are a team that will always give it their all, especially in the playoffs, but the Hurricanes have been such a dominant team recently that I don’t see any way that the islanders can beat this Carolina team. Hurricanes wins in 5.
Second Round
A1. Florida Panthers vs A2. Boston Bruins
If you asked me last month I would tell you the Panthers would win this game easily, but the more I watch the Bruins the more I feel like they can take this Panthers team. The Bruins only came second in the Atlantic by one year, and I feel like the Bruins want it more than the Panthers. So contrary to my last prediction, Bruins in 6.
WC2. Washington Capitals vs M2. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricane will easily beat the Caps I only have the Caps making it this far because I’m not betting against “The President’s Trophy Curse.” The Canes were another team that had an amazing trade deadline and have been dominant recently. Canes will win in 4.
Eastern Conference Finals
M2. Carolina Hurricanes vs A2. Boston Bruins
These two teams will most likely cause this series to be determined by a Game 7. This Carolina team is a team not I wouldn’t want to play in a game seven; they already have a loaded roster with players like, Aho, Jarvis, and Svechnikov, and with the recent addition of Jake Guentzel during the trade deadline, I don’t see how Boston will be able to stop this team in a game seven, Canes in 7.
The Stanley Cup Final
C2. Winnipeg Jets vs M2. Carolina Hurricanes
These two teams were debatable the biggest winners of the Trade deadline, and since have been teams that are in great form. The Canes will have the upper hand, especially with the experience that Guentzel brings them since he’s won a cup before. Winnipeg has never won the Stanley Cup and has a slight disadvantage against Carolina Roster-wise, but if Hellebuyck can keep playing the way he has the Jets have a chance. Sadly for the Jets, I think Carolina will win the Stanley Cup this year thanks to the loaded roster + the experience Guentzel has. It will be an entertaining final, but Canes in 6!
