Boston>Toronto – Boston isn’t really deep this year and Toronto has a lot of star power but i just don’t trust Toronto’s defense and goaltending. Boston has great defense and excellent goaltending. That will likely be the reason Boston pulls this one out in 7 games I believe.
Carolina>New York Islanders– Carolina is the cup favourite and adding Jake Guentzel at the deadline pretty much puts them over the top. High expectations this year for Carolina, they’re hungry to win it all and I think them or Florida will go to the cup from the East. The Islanders come into the playoffs hot going 9-0-1 in their final 10 games of the year and are able to play a shutdown style brand of hockey but they just won’t be able to keep up and the Canes should take this in 5 games.
Florida>Tampa– This series will be an absolute dog fight. Tampa was flying a bit under the radar early in the season and looked very vulnerable but after the trade deadline they really picked up and now they’re a team nobody wants to play. Star forward Nikita Kucherov is simply unstoppable. I still lean Florida because they’re the more complete team and a tough team that’s built for a long run. It will be a very close series and will most likely go to 7 games but I’m going with Florida.
New York Rangers>Washington– Rangers are built to go on a run and a very physical team you probably don’t want to play in a 7 game series. Washington squeaked in and they’re very flawed but they’ve been getting great goaltending lately and maybe because of that they’ll steal a game but besides that i don’t see this series being long & Rangers should take it in 5 games max.
Winnipeg>Colorado– I don’t like betting against Colorado because of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar but their goaltending concerns me. Although Colorado is stacked, the Jets are a very solid hockey team and have great goaltending and I think that will be the X factor. I’m leaning Jets in 7 games.
Dallas>Vegas– This will probably be the best series in round 1 it’s going to be very exciting. Vegas is a team I also don’t want to bet against, I mean there’s no denying they’re built for another cup run but Dallas has it all. Goaltending, Speed, defense, skill and scoring. I’m going to take Dallas in 7 and if they do indeed get by Vegas they’re going to the cup.
Vancouver>Nashville– The Predators were one of the hottest teams in the league at one point and had an 18 game point streak. The point streak was impressive but to me I just don’t think they’re that good & goaltender Juuse Saros isn’t having his best year. Vancouver is filled with talent and will probably win in 6 games tops.
Edmonton>LA Kings – Edmonton is poised to go on a run at some point and I think they will take care of the Kings without much trouble. McDavid is on a mission and surprisingly their goaltending hasn’t been bad. Kings are a good young team but Edmonton will be hungry and I think they likely take this in 6 games.