NHL playoffs Round one predictions

It’s that time of year again, the best time, playoff hockey, nothing is better than this, the excitement, the nerves, and the hope for one's team. We got some new teams in the playoffs this year and teams who missed for the first time in a while. This year should be a fun one, with so much talent and for some teams, so much to prove. Let’s jump into the action.

Boston Bruins VS Florida Panthers- Boston dominating this entire season is an understatement, they break numerous records and are proving that age is just a number. This one should be interesting as Florida is one of the hottest teams as well, but the Bruins have a massive edge on them. Boston in 5

Toronto Maple Leafs VS Tampa Bay Lightning- For the second time in as many seasons Toronto has to face the team who has been to the Cup final in back-back-back seasons. The playoff format has not been kind to the Leafs for many years; again they have a massive test in the first rounds. This is Tampa's worst team in recent years, but they are still one of the best teams in the league when it comes to the playoffs, this one should be a doozy to watch. Toronto in 6

Carolina Hurricanes VS New York Islanders- These two teams will face once more in the playoffs. The last time they played each other was in 2019, the Eastern Conference Second Round, which Carolina won in a four-game sweep. In the regular season series this year, Carolina won three of the four games they played each other. The Islanders are a team made for the playoffs, they have a grit-and-grind type of team but they also have that scoring in them with a new addition in Horvat. Islander in 7

New Jersey Devils VS New York Rangers- What a matchup in round one; a battle of New York, what can get any better than this? A young team who proved many wrongs in the Devils, and a team who went all out in this year's trade deadline in the Rangers. A very even series that can go either way, but who has the edge? Devils in 7

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche VS Seattle Kraken- The defending cups champions against the second-year team. One would think this is an easy matchup for Colorado but don’t sleep on the Kraken. Seattle had major improvement from last season, and they can thank Jared McCann for that as well as Calder front-runner Matthew Beniers. Colorado started off slow but found their rhythm and won the Central Division. Colorado in 6

Dallas Stars VS Minnesota Wild- This series will be a back-and-forth battle; two great teams that are separated by five points in the standings. Which goalies will prevail, will it be Jake Oettinger or will it be the Flower X Filip Gustavsson, were are in for a treat in this one. With Kaprisov finally healthy and the Wilds' goaltending playing well right now who knows what they can do? Wild in 7

Vegas Golden Knights VS Winnipeg Jets- After missing the playoffs last year, Vegas took home First place in the Pacific division and will look to go on a run in this year's playoffs. Winnipeg who was in first place in their division in January fell off hard and barely managed to get into the playoffs. This series should be interesting as it is a repeat of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, which Vegas won. Will Vegas repeat that series win, or will Winnipeg finally prevail over the pesky Knights? Vegas in 5

Edmonton Oilers VS Los Angeles Kings- Oh are we in for a treat with this series, a rematch from last year. With a split series in the regular season, this match-up can leave this series with a “who wants it more” situation. Last year Connor Mcdavid who has made history countless times, scoring 60+ goals and 153 points this year, looks to finally take Edmonton into the promised land; or will the young Kings team give Mcdavid another reason for him to leave when he’s a free agent? Oilers in 6

How will these playoffs differ from any other year? Well, the simple answer is there is no Crosby or Ovechkin for the first time since 2006. We are looking at playoffs that a couple of teams we have not seen in a while, this one should be a fun one to watch; and like always, get your favourite team’s jersey, sit down or stand up depending on what type of fan you are, and get ready.