The Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived! We started this journey way back in October with thirty two teams all eyeing the biggest prize in hockey. After an eighty two game regular season, here we sit with sixteen teams left standing. There's a lot of big storylines going into this years playoffs.
Can Colorado build off its Presidents Trophy win? Can Edmonton get back to the finals for the 3rd year in a row? Can Utah have a magic run in only it's second year in existence? Can Tampa keep the Eastern Conference title in the state of Florida? Buffalo ends its long playoff drought, how well can they build off it? Will there be a Canadian team to end the country Cup drought?
We will find out in the coming weeks. Right now its the first round, and here's how we see it going down.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators
Pick: Hhrricanes in 5!
I'm taking Carolina in five here, but it may end up going deeper than that. Ottawa has been coming into this year's playoffs hot, winning six of their final ten games. And with how well Lnus Ullmark has played, he might be able to steal a couple of games. But, at the same time, the Hurricanes come in as the best team in the East. With all their playoff experience, Carolina should be able to take this series.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers
Pick: Penguins in 7!
Nobody really expected either of these two teams to make the playoffs this year but here we are. Flyers have a good team, I can't take that away from them. But at the same time they backed in, in a sense. Pittsburgh has been playing good hockey down the stretch. And that playoff experience takes hold in a big way.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
Pick: Sabres in 6!
Boston has been good this year, but lets be realistic here. There's magic in the air in Buffalo. First playoff appearance since 2011, first division title since 2010. It's been a long time coming. And they have been one of the hottest teams the last month or so of the season.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens
Pick: Lightning in 6!
This is going to be a physical series. What going to be the difference in this series is the experience. Montreal has been good but Tampa has been in the playoffs for nine straight years. They know what they doing and they have managed to keep changing out the parts when needed to help keep the train moving along. Montreal has proven this year that they can be a thorn in Tampa's side but Tampa is going to use that as motivation.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Pick: Avalanche in 4!
Look maybe the Kings can surprise somebody. They may be able to steal a game. If everything were to break right. Colorado is the deepest most balanced team in the league and they got better as the year moved along. This should be the easiest series to pick.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Pick: Stars in 7!
This may go six in the short but most likely will go the full distance. Its going to be the most evenly matched series of the entire first round. At the end of the day, the Stars top end talent is deeper and has more variety than what you get in Minnesota. Lets not get it twisted, adding Quin Hughes in the mix by the Olympic break was massive and took the Wild up a notch. But Dallas is just a little bit deeper. And that gives them the edge.
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
Pick: Oilers in 5!
Maybe giving the Ducks a game in this series is light. Last time the Ducks were in the playoffs was nine years ago and they got swept. The youth movement in Anaheim has arrived and is clicking at full strength. But they are going up against the two time defending Western Conference Champions. Oh and they still have the best player in the world. I'm still a little concerned about their questions between the pipes, but that won't be a factor in the first round.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoth
Pick: Golden Knights in 6!
Utah has to get the credit they deserve. Second year in existence and they already a playoff team. They can steal a couple of games but the Golden Knights experience and talent level will take center stage here
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