Last year I went 8-0 in the first round and 0-7 for the rest of the playoffs.

Boston over Florida in 7. Florida has been on a tear lately, but so has Boston. This will be the best series of the first round, but Ullmark is simply better than Lyon.
Toronto over Tampa in 6. Tampa hasn't been themselves lately, but I think we were saying the same thing last year. I will fall victim to the gambler's fallacy and say that Toronto can't keep getting this unlucky forever. Samsonov being good (even if he's not at Vasilevskiy's level) also helps.
Carolina over NYI in 5. The teams play similar styles, but Carolina is simply better at that style. All games will be close, but not the series.
Rangers over Devils in 6. Shesterkin >> Vanecek, and the goaltending advantage means so much in the playoffs. Will be wildly entertaining with the amount of firepower both teams have.

Winnipeg over LV in 6. No Mark Stone, no Logan Thompson, Connor Hellebuyck.
Edmonton over LA in 6. The deepest the Oilers have looked in a while. I expect Korpisalo to be amazing but not quite amazing enough. Draisaitl has two legs this time, so Edmonton has the edge.
Colorado over Seattle in 4. Seattle simply does not have the goaltending or the high-end talent to contest Colorado.
Dallas over Minnesota in 6. Even if Gustavsson continues his strong play, the Stars have the Otter, and their offence has more than one guy.

Boston over Toronto in 7. Lol
NYR over Carolina in 7. Will be almost an exact repeat of last year. Carolina's PK doesn't work in a playoff series against high-flying opponents who have time and preparation to work around the aggression. Also Shesterkin is better than anyone Carolina can put between the pipes.

Dallas over Colorado in 7. The best series of the second round, where Oettinger's heroics face against the powerful Colorado attack, and I think the Stars have just enough to survive it and advance.
Edmonton over Winnipeg in 7. Similar to Dallas vs Colorado, but Hellebuyck isn't quite as good as Oettinger and the Oilers' offence is as strong as the Avs'. This will be a good series though.

Boston over NYR in 5. The Rangers face a team that has a better goaltender than Shesterkin, as well as a better two-way team. This isn't particularly close.
Dallas over Edmonton in 6. Edmonton runs into another superstar goaltender, and Dallas has better skaters than Winnipeg.

Dallas over Boston in 7. Jake Oettinger, Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson put the team on their backs and end the Bruins' historic run.

Edit: looks like A_Habs_Fan beat me to this exact prediction (at least for winners and until the SCF)

That’s the cup finals in my worst nightmare

What cup finals do you want?

What cup finals do you want?

Devils in 5
Islanders in 6
Bruins in 7
Leafs in 7

Oilers in 4
Stars in 6
Vegas in 7
Seattle in 6

I would want Oilers vs Leafs

Those fan bases have suffered long enough.

That won’t happen tho

Of all the outcomes that one is the least likely because two Canadian teams will never face each other for the cup again. I think Gary signed a pact with the Devil to avoid it. And while young Oiler fans have seen their fair share of bad, the ones in my age group spent their youth as spoiled children.

Since Gary’s first season (1993-94)

Canada: 0 cups
Devils: 3 cups

(Maybe he did)

How many ot games in the first round this year

How many ot games in the first round this year

I miss nhl on nbc.


The playoffs there just felt different

How? Different music?

Happy playoff day!

I hope all your favorite teams win.

Mine didn’t make it.

I’m adopting the oilers and leaves. hashtagCocaineHockey

Fiala and Vilardi not playing tonight for the kings