Playoff 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. This year there isn’t one true underdog, it will be fun to watch. Goalies are going to be a huge factor these playoffs so hope for your team's goalie to succeed. Let’s skip the introduction and jump into the predictions for round one starting off with the Eastern Conference!

Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals- This series can be a very interesting one, Florida may be challenged due to Washingtons' heavy offense and you can never count out Ovi. Although the caps have a great offense, Florida has everything, offense, defense, and goaltending, but if Bobrovsky doesn't do well the Caps are gonna have to pounce on that (pun intended) but the panthers still have Spencer Knight, it will be an uphill battle for the Capitals. Panthers in 5.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning- This shouldn't even be a first-round series this is too good of a series to be in the first round but this is going to be the biggest challenge for the Leafs. Although they are the higher seed, Tampa are the back-to-back champs and still has a great lineup, but so do the Leafs. If Toronto can get past Vasilevskiy, and Cambell plays well, the Leafs will finally get past the first round. Toronto in 7.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins- Carolina is the best team in the league who don’t have a legitimate superstar on their team, yes Sebastion Aho is a great player, he’s a star, not a superstar, they have great depth, their powerplay is ridiculous and so is the PK, their only problem is goaltending. Anderson is already ruled out for game 1 which isn’t a solid start but if he does play the remainder of the playoffs after but plays like he did on Toronto it may be tricky for them to get out of the first round. Boston is a great team but they are aging, but they are aging like fine wine, if they play well enough we can see an upset.- Carolina in 7.

New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins- This series can define the Penguins' future, if they are another first-round exit, who knows what will happen, will this be the last time we see 87/71/58 altogether? The Rangers are a great team but Igor Shesterkin is their X-factor, he’s a talented young goalie, but will the pressure of the playoffs get to him? Tristan Jarry is out for at least the first two games with a broken foot so the Penguins have to step up even more. If the Penguins win this series, it can go a long way. It’s Igor Shesterkin VS the Penguins. Rangers in 7.

Now onto the Western Conference.

Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators- Colorado is the best team in the league, although they didn’t win the president's trophy, they are stacked, offensively, defensively, and goaltending. Nashville is a very underrated team, but they lost their starting goalie, Juuse Saros, he’s been a top 5 goalie in the league this year, which is a huge loss. Makar VS Josi, who’s going to win the Norris trophy? Josi will win this trophy, but Makar will win this series. Colorado in 5.

Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues- They both had a terrific end of their season, but Is Minnesota too good to be true? No, they have a great offense and added a great goalie with playoff experience, Fleury is slated to start game 1 and if he can play as he has in the past (not last year) they can make some noise this year. St. Louis has a top 10 offense statically, but if Husso can’t play as he did in the regular season, the Wild are going to have fun, if Husso does play well, it’s going to be an entertaining series, so get your popcorn. Minnesota in 7.

Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars- The Stars had a negative goal differential in the regular season and barely got into the playoffs. The Flames, on the other hand, finished first in their division and won the season series, Dallas will look to put up a fight but the flames have a great offense and Markstrom had a terrific season, it will be a shock if Dallas can pull off the upset. Flames in 5.

Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings- Edmonton hasn’t had much success in recent playoff years, but this year could be different if Mike Smith can continue playing this well into the playoffs the Oilers' offense will take care of the rest. L.A. is still a young team but still has playoff experience, it’s the battle of two older goalies but only one can win. Edmonton in 6.

This year's playoffs are going to be the best playoffs we have seen in a couple of years, as it will be the first real playoffs since Covid started. We are in for a treat this year, so get your favourite team’s jersey, sit down or stand up depending on what type of fan you are, the real question is are you ready?