We start this off with the Eastern Conference as the top seeded Philadelphia Flyers battle the eight seeded Montreal Canadiens. Philadelphia finished in 2nd place in the Metro division during the season, but were a perfect 3-0 in round robin play, earning the top seed. Montreal got in with the last possible spot for the qualifiers, then pulled off a four game upset of the Penguins to snag the 8th seed in the playoffs. This will be the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams with both teams splitting the six previous series. They last met in the 2010 Eastern Conference Final, which Philadelphia won in five games. Philadelphia won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
Here's the date and times for every game in this series:
August 12 Montreal Canadiens 8:00 p.m. Philadelphia Flyers Scotiabank Arena
August 14 Montreal Canadiens 3:00 p.m. Philadelphia Flyers Scotiabank Arena
August 16 Philadelphia Flyers 8:00 p.m. Montreal Canadiens Scotiabank Arena
August 18 Philadelphia Flyers 3:00 p.m. Montreal Canadiens Scotiabank Arena
August 19 Montreal Canadiens TBD Philadelphia Flyers Scotiabank Arena
August 21 Philadelphia Flyers TBD Montreal Canadiens Scotiabank Arena
August 23 Montreal Canadiens TBD Philadelphia Flyers Scotiabank Arena
The fact that the Habs are even in this series is a big surprise. Nobody had Montreal pegged as a playoff team this year, yet here we are. The 2020 season has been an interesting one that's for sure. pulling off the win over the Penguins had a lot to do with the play in net of Carey Price. Price has reminded people as to why he won league MVP a few years back. And Shea Weber stepped his offensive game up in the qualifying round to match his defensive skillset. Jeff Petry and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were just as much of an offensive impact against the Pen But they're facing a determined and heating up Flyers team. Scott Laughton has been key for the Flyers offense during round robin play, which yes I know is different then a playoff series, but still. Lets not forget they still have Claude Giroux, Sean Couture and Jakub Voracek in the lineup, guys who have been know to score big goals at key moments. Carter Hart and Brian Elliott split time during the regular season, so you know there will be no problem going to either guy in net should the need arise. But the way round robin went, it may appear Hart is going to be the guy the Flyers go with.
Montreal pulled off the shocker in the qualify round. They outmatched the Penguins. But the Flyers have been the best team in this return to play format, which is going to be key in this round. Habs may have gotten in, but their luck may run out here.
Pick: Flyers in 6!
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Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
August 11 Columbus Blue Jackets 3:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Lightning Scotiabank Arena
August 13 Columbus Blue Jackets 3:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Lightning Scotiabank Arena
August 15 Tampa Bay Lightning 7:30 p.m. Columbus Blue Jackets Scotiabank Arena
August 17 Tampa Bay Lightning 3:00 p.m. Columbus Blue Jackets Scotiabank Arena
August 19 Columbus Blue Jackets TBD Tampa Bay Lightning Scotiabank Arena
August 21 Tampa Bay Lightning TBD Columbus Blue Jackets Scotiabank Arena
August 22 Columbus Blue Jackets TBD Tampa Bay Lightning Scotiabank Arena
If your Tampa Bay, this series is big. Shot at redemption after last season, blowing not only a lead in game one, but getting swept by this Jackets team. Tampa was the presidents trophy winners last year and got stunned. They looked like they could be back on the right path. Nikita Kucherov lead the bolts in all offensive aspects and looks poised to do it again. This time, though, the Bolts are without Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, both of whom are out hurt. Last year Hedman was out too and some felt that it hurt Tampa. This year doesn't look like much different. Columbus is coming in hot, after beating the Leafs in the Qualifying round in five and are playing pretty well. Joonas Korpisalo has played great in the last round, shutting Toronto out twice. Cam Atkinson and Pierre-Luc Dubois both had big impacts on this team during the regular season and the playoffs.
Columbus has a pretty balanced attack and already knows how to take down the Lightning, they just did it a year ago. Tampa is coming in at less than 100% and yes Vasilevski has been great for the Bolts in goal this year. But without Hedman and Stamkos, it might be tougher. Still I think the Bolts can find a way to step it up and out play a run down Jackets team
Pick: Lightning in 7!
Next up, its the three seeded Washington Capitals taking on the sixth seeded New York Islanders. Washington was the best team in the Metro division this year, but had trouble getting going during round robin play, falling to third. As for the Islanders, they got in as the 6th seed in qualifying round, beating the Panthers in four games. This will be the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams with New York winning five of the seven previous series. They last met in the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round, which Washington won in seven games. These teams split the four games in this year's regular season series.
Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
August 12 New York Islanders 3:00 p.m. Washington Capitals Scotiabank Arena
August 14 New York Islanders 8:00 p.m. Washington Capitals Scotiabank Arena
August 16 Washington Capitals 12:00 p.m. New York Islanders Scotiabank Arena
August 18 Washington Capitals 8:00 p.m. New York Islanders Scotiabank Arena
August 20 New York Islanders TBD Washington Capitals Scotiabank Arena
August 22 Washington Capitals TBD New York Islanders Scotiabank Arena
August 23 New York Islanders TBD Washington Capitals Scotiabank Arena
Barry Trotz gets a shot at his old team. He won the cup with them two seasons ago and came to Long Island last year to try and take the Islanders to the next level. He did it, getting the Islanders into round two last year, and might be able to pull it off again this year. Golatending has been good at times for the Isles, with Greiss and Varlamov splitting duties, but Varly has taken hold of the starting job for the playoffs. What has me worried is the scoring punch for New York. They had a decent balance during the year, and now having Anthony Beauvillier playing outstanding hockey. Ryan Pullock too. Washington has been just as goo as expected. Alex Ovechkin is well Alex Ovechkin. John Carlson has stepped his play up and now they have re loaded by adding more experience with Ilya Kovalchuck. Oh and Braden Holtby is still Braden Holtby in the Washington net.
This is a tough series to get a read on. The Caps slipped during round robin play and looked average. While the Islanders played well, I'm not sure how well the Islanders will be able to stand against a tougher opponent. Its also worth noting that every game between the two teams during the regular season was won by the road team. I just have this feeling at the bottom of my gut that its going to be the playoff tested team that wins out. New York isl= already in playoff mode and if the regular season proved anything, this could work for the Isles
Pick: Islanders in 7!
Finally, we got the fourth seeded Boston Bruins taking on the fifth seeded Carolina Hurricanes. Boston won the Presidents Trophy as the best team in hockey during the regular season, but came up empty in round robin play, falling to four. Carolina got here as the 5th seed and swept the Rangers right out of the qualifying round. This will be the second consecutive postseason match-up and sixth playoff meeting overall between these two teams. Boston won last year's series in a four-game sweep. Boston won the only game in this year's regular season series.
Here is the date and times for every game in this series:
August 11 Carolina Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. Boston Bruins Scotiabank Arena
August 13 Carolina Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. Boston Bruins Scotiabank Arena
August 15 Boston Bruins 12:00 p.m. Carolina Hurricanes Scotiabank Arena
August 17 Boston Bruins 8:00 p.m. Carolina Hurricanes Scotiabank Arena
August 19 Carolina Hurricanes TBD Boston Bruins Scotiabank Arena
August 20 Boston Bruins TBD Carolina Hurricanes Scotiabank Arena
August 23 Carolina Hurricanes TBD Boston Bruins Scotiabank Arena
Rematch of last years East final is going to be a fun series and an interesting one at that. Boston was the best team in the league during the regular season, winning the presidents trophy. They were red hot for most of the season. Then the pause hit and everything got flipped on its head. Boston looked really out of wack during the round robin play. Meanwhile, Carolina looked good in their series win over the Rangers. They had solid goaltending and got good scoring. This is why this series is so interesting. Is Carolina really that good? Did Boston just have trouble getting out of the blocks in round robin?
This is going to be a very tough series but at the end of the day, Boston will find its legs and wake up. It hurt their stock a little going from the top seed right down to four, but they are still in this thing and can showcase why this team was in the cup finals a year ago. the Hurricanes are a good team and will put up a good fight, but much like last year, Boston will be too much
Pick: Bruins in 6!
Moving to the Western Conference, its the top seeded Vegas Golden Knights taking on the eight seeded Chicago Blackhawks. Vegas won the Central division during the regular season, and went unbeaten in round robin play to grab the top seed. Chicago got in with the last possible spot, following beating the Oilers in the Qualifying round in four games. This will be the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Vegas won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
Here's the date and times for every game in this series:
August 11 Chicago Blackhawks 10:30 p.m. Vegas Golden Knights Rogers Place
August 13 Chicago Blackhawks 5:30 p.m. Vegas Golden Knights Rogers Place
August 15 Vegas Golden Knights 8:00 p.m. Chicago Blackhawks Rogers Place
August 16 Vegas Golden Knights 6:30 p.m. Chicago Blackhawks Rogers Place
August 18 Chicago Blackhawks TBD Vegas Golden Knights Rogers Place
August 20 Vegas Golden Knights TBD Chicago Blackhawks Rogers Place
August 22 Chicago Blackhawks TBD Vegas Golden Knights Rogers Place
Its weird to see the Hawks here in the playoffs as this was a team who wasn't expected to go anywhere. But they managed to get in and face the Oilers in the qualifying round. Chicago pulled off the upset because their best players played as such. Also what helped the Hawks out a little was the fact that, yes the Oilers are a good team, they still have some glaring weaknesses in net and Chicago being the experienced team that they are, took advantage of it. Difference between qualifying round and now is, they're playing a better, more balanced team in the form of Vegas. Mark Stone and Shea Theodore were both big during the round robin play, and they still have a top scorer in Max Pacioretty, who scored 32 goals during the season. Marc-Andre Fleury will be the top man in net and can match Corey Crawford save for save in this series.
I made the mistake of going against the Hawks in the qualifying round. I misjudged how good the Oilers were. Vegas is the better team than Edmonton. Chicago will have no problem sticking around and making noise in this series. At the end of the day though, Vegas should be able to match the Hawks and pass them in this round, having the talent to be able to match the Hawks
Pick: Golden Knights in 6!
Next up its the second seeded Colorado Avalanche taking on the seventh seeded Arizona Coyotes. Colorado finished second in the West during the regular season and went 22-1 during round robin play. Arizon beat Nashville in the qualifying round in four games to lock up the seven seed. This will be the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2000 Western Conference Quarterfinals, which Colorado won in five games. These teams split their two-game regular season series.
Here's the date and times for every game in this series:
August 12 Arizona Coyotes 5:30 p.m. Colorado Avalanche Rogers Place
August 14 Arizona Coyotes 2:00 p.m. Colorado Avalanche Rogers Place
August 15 Colorado Avalanche 3:00 p.m. Arizona Coyotes Rogers Place
August 17 Colorado Avalanche 5:30 p.m. Arizona Coyotes Rogers Place
August 19 Arizona Coyotes TBD Colorado Avalanche Rogers Place
August 21 Colorado Avalanche TBD Arizona Coyotes Rogers Place
August 23 Arizona Coyotes TBD Colorado Avalanche Rogers Place
This should come as no surprise to anybody that the Avs finished 2nd in the West. Colorado was the 2nd best team in the West for most of the season. Nathan MacKinnon had been playing at an MVP level the entire season, but wasn't the star during round robin play. Nazim Kadri was that guy to really step up dyuring RR play. Colorado has plenty of balance to be able to go deep in the playoffs. Whats going to stick in this series is the matchup between MacKinnon and Taylor Hall. Hall has help with Phil Kessel and Clayton Keller. What worries me about the Coyotes is scoring depth. Darcy Kuemper was dynamic against Nashville and a big reason why the Coyotes were able to pull off the upset over Nashville in the Qualifyer.
There's no denying the fact that Kuemper will be able to steal a game or two in this series, but lets face facts here. Colorado has too much depth for the Coyotes to overcome and the Avs have a possible MVP playing at that level
Pick: Avalanche in 6!
Next up, its the third seeded Dallas Stars taking on the sixth seeded Calgary Flames. Dallas started this off as the possible 4th seed, but got a win during round robin to move up to the three seed. Calgary beat Winnipeg in four games in the qualifying round to move on, as they were the eight seed going in. This will be the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 1981 Stanley Cup Semifinals, which the then-Minnesota North Stars won in six games. Calgary won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
August 11 Calgary Flames 5:30 p.m. Dallas Stars Rogers Place
August 13 Calgary Flames 10:30 p.m. Dallas Stars Rogers Place
August 14 Dallas Stars 10:30 p.m. Calgary Flames Rogers Place
August 16 Dallas Stars 2:00 p.m. Calgary Flames Rogers Place
August 18 Calgary Flames TBD Dallas Stars Rogers Place
August 20 Dallas Stars TBD Calgary Flames Rogers Place
August 22 Calgary Flames TBD Dallas Stars Rogers Place
Big reason for the Flames success right now has been the play of Cam Talbot. There's no doubt that David Rittich helped carry the Flames through the regular season, but Talbot took over in the playoffs and powerd the Flames past the Jets. Talbot has the experience to be able to get them where they are now and was able to take them to the first round. It wasn't just him, they have plenty of scoring depth. Johnny Gudreau, Sam Bennett, Shean Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk, the list goes on with the talent up front for the Flames. Dallas can match it with their big boys of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn up front. What will end up saving the Stars for this is their goaltending. Anton Khudobin and Ben Bishop have been outstanding in the Dallas net.
This series is going to be a hard hitting, closely contested series. It will go the distance and won't be much more than like a one or two goal difference in any game. For as good as the Flames are, and they are very good, at the end of the day its the men between the pipes that take the series. Calgary has some talent in net, but edge goes to Dallas and that's what's going to get them over the top.
Pick: Stars in 7!
Finally its the fourth seeded St Louis Blues taking on the fifth seeded Vancouver Canucks. St Louis had the best record in the Western Conference during the season, but went winless during round robin play to finish fourth. Vancouver got in following a four game series win in the qualifying round over Minnesota. This will be the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with Vancouver winning all three previous series. They last met in the 2009 Western Conference Quarterfinals, which Vancouver won in a four-game sweep. Vancouver won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
Here's the date and times for every game in this series:
August 12 Vancouver Canucks 10:30 p.m. St. Louis Blues Rogers Place
August 14 Vancouver Canucks 6:30 p.m. St. Louis Blues Rogers Place
August 16 St. Louis Blues 10:30 p.m. Vancouver Canucks Rogers Place
August 17 St. Louis Blues 10:30 p.m. Vancouver Canucks Rogers Place
August 19 Vancouver Canucks TBD St. Louis Blues Rogers Place
August 21 St. Louis Blues TBD Vancouver Canucks Rogers Place
August 23 Vancouver Canucks TBD St. Louis Blues Rogers Place
The defending champions were on a roll before the season stopped. They managed to do what they did during the year without Vladimir Tarasenko, who had missed time with a shoulder injury. Ryan O'Reilly stepped his play up to lead this team during the season. What worries me going into this opening round though is the fact that the Blues never seemed to really find their footing. I get it, they already had a playoff spot locked up, but showing a little life would have been nice. Jordan Binnington was outstanding for the Blues, and he's going to have to be again if this team is going to stand a chance. Jacob markstrom is the Canucks answer for it and he can more than step it up. Up front, the Cancuks have a lot of young talent to really rally around. Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Besser, Quinn Hughes, this Canucks team can go.
Its going to be a fairly even series. Again what worries me is how well the Blues can find their footing. Vancouver has momentum, but I think, by the skin of their teeth, we may see the Champs hang on. Going to be another tough series, but at the end of the day experience wins out.
Pick: Blues in 7!
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