"War of attrition, war of wills. That's what the Stanley Cup playoffs are - more intense, more physical and more prolonged than the playoffs of any other sport". Those are the words of American sportswriter George Vecsey. That quote exemplifies why the Stanley Cup Playoffs are, and always will be, the greatest tournament in sports. That is because you get rewarded with the best and most beautiful trophy in the world of sports once you go through the two-month grind of obtaining the sixteen wins you need to hoist Lord Stanley. With that in mind, let's try to predict the hockey world over the next two months and see who will enjoy their summer with the Cup starting in mid-June.
East Round 1- Atlantic Division: 1. Florida Panthers Vs WC1. Tampa Bay Lightning:
This year's battle of Florida will feature the last two franchises who have represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Fina over the last four years. The Panthers have been the more consistent team all year but enter the post-season a bit banged up on the backend. On the other end, aside from Mikahil Sergachev, the Lightning come into the playoffs as healthy as they have been entering this time of year in quite a while. With this potentially being their last playoff run with captain Steven Stamkos, the Lightning pull off the round 1 upset.
Prediction: Lightning Win Series 4-2
East Round 1-Atlantic Division: 2. Boston Bruins Vs 3. Toronto Maple Leafs:
They meet again. The Bruins once again defied pre-season expectations and remain a true Cup Contender. For the Leafs, Auston Matthews is coming off a historic year, scoring a league-leading 69 goals. Boston has dominated this matchup for years, and I believe they will continue to do so this time around. Perhaps ending the Sheldon Keefe era in Toronto with yet another early exit for his Maple Leafs.
Prediction: Bruins Win Series 4-1
East Round 1- Metro Division: 1. New York Rangers Vs WC2. Washington Capitals:
Pure mismatch here, the Rangers were the best team in the East all year long while the Capitals somehow managed to squeeze into the playoffs with a -37 goal differential. I'm glad we get to see Alex Ovechkin back in the post-season for what could be the final time, but I don't believe his stay will be long.
Prediction: Rangers Win Series 4-0
East Round 1- Metro Division: 2. Carolina Hurricanes Vs 3. New York Islanders:
Again, another mismatch in this metro division clash. Good for Patrick Roy for getting his Islanders into the postseason after taking over mid-season but, just like the Capitals, the Islanders are just taking on an Eastern Conference juggernaut. Ilya Sorokin could steal a game or two for New York in this series, but the Islanders are just not on the level of the Hurricanes, especially after the moves the Canes made at this year's deadline. Carolina moves on.
Prediction: Hurricanes Win Series 4-1
West Round 1- Central Division: 1. Dallas Stars Vs WC2 Vegas Golden Knights:
A Western Conference Final rematch in Round 1 in both the NBA and NHL is kind of hilarious. However, unlike the NBA, I like the team who lost last season to get revenge this year. Vegas has perfectly executed the LTIR loophole, with Golden Knights captain Mark Stone expected to be good to go for game 1 in this series, but his absence forced the Golden Knights into a matchup up against the best team in the West this year. The Stars win a hard-fought battle between two heavyweights, and the defending champs go home without even getting by the first round.
Prediction: Stars Win Series 4-2
West Round 1- Central Division: 2. Winnipeg Jets Vs 3. Colorado Avalanche:
Two of the more aggressive teams at this year's trade deadline do battle in round 1. This matchup is a great example of why the NHL needs to change the playoff format. Winnipeg or Colorado should not be going home after the first round. In this even matchup, I will have to go with the team with the more consistent goaltending, as well as who has dominated the other all year. Winnipeg wins, and Colorado goes home in Round 1 for a second straight year.
Prediction: Winnipeg Win Series 4-3
Round 1-Pacific Division: 1. Vancouver Canucks Vs WC1. Nashville Predators:
A matchup that features two of the bigger surprises in the league this year. The league-wide expectation for Nashville was that they were bound to miss the playoffs, but a second-half surge propelled them to the post-season. While for Vancouver, many did expect the Canucks to at least compete for a wildcard spot this year, especially after the team's late surge last season after coach Rick Tocchet took over. The Canucks exceeded those expectations and sat near the top of the league standings throughout the season. Nashville will give the Canucks all they can handle, and I expect the hostile Nashville crowd to overwhelm this Canucks core in their first road playoff games with this group of players. The Canucks could be on upset alert, although I like that Thatcher Demko was able to get a couple of starts to ramp up before the post-season begins. This will be competitive, but in a series that features two of the best goalies in the league, I will take the team with the more potent offence.
Prediction: Canucks Win Series 4-2
West Round 1- Pacific Division: 2. Edmonton Oilers Vs 3. Los Angeles Kings:
For the third straight year, the Gretzky Bowl takes place in Round 1. With that in mind, I expect the same team to move on so I will keep it short and sweet. The Oilers have no problem putting the puck behind the net, while the Kings struggle to do so at times. Edmonton beats Los Angeles for the third year in a row.
Prediction: Oilers Win Series 4-1
East Round 2- Atlantic Division: 2. Boston Bruins Vs WC1. Tampa Bay Lightning:
The two heavyweights of the Atlantic would square off once again. The Bruins and Lightning are two of the most skilled teams in the league, but Tampa Bay seems to always get the best of Boston. That trend will continue, and the Lightning head back to the Conference Final.
Prediction: Lightning Win Series 4-1
East Round 2- Metro Division: 1. New York Rangers Vs 2. Carolina Hurricanes:
The curse of winning the President's Trophy continues. I cannot explain it, but it seems to be rare that the NHL's best regular season team ends up making it to the league's final four come playoff time. Both the Rangers and Hurricanes tried to acquire former Penguins sniper Jake Guentzel, but Carolina ended up winning the bidding war to retain his services, which will end up being what sends the Hurricanes to Round 3.
Prediction: Hurricanes Win Series 4-3
West Round 2- Central Division: 1. Dallas Stars Vs 2. Winnipeg Jets:
This could end up being the best series in the Western Conference side of the bracket. I love the atmosphere in Winnipeg throughout the playoffs and wish we could get an all-Canadian matchup in the Western Conference Final. With that said, the Stars have proven they are a consistent powerhouse come playoff time, and I trust Dallas more. The Stars advance to the Conference Final, yet again.
Prediction: Stars Win Series 4-2
West Round 2- Pacific Division: 1. Vancouver Canucks Vs 2. Edmonton Oilers:
Given my history with the Canucks, and Connor McDavid being my favourite player in the NHL today, I'm sure the masses expect to roll with the Oilers. I cannot believe I am writing this but, I like the Vancouver Canucks to advance to the Western Conference Final. The Canucks have been more aggressive in the trade market over the last six months than you can argue the Oilers have been throughout the entire McDavid, Draistal era. The moves Vancouver made this season gave the team depth throughout the roster, while the Oilers once again look to be a top-heavy roster. The Canucks depth wins them this series, and the Oilers have to go into another off-season full of questions.
Prediction: Canucks Win Series 4-2
Eastern Conference Final: 2. Carolina Hurricanes Vs WC1. Tampa Bay Lightning:
This will be the year the Hurricanes finally get over the hump. By this point in the playoffs, the Lightning's older core will finally start to feel the effects of a long playoff run, while most of the Hurricanes core is entering their prime and should be the healthier squad. The Hurricanes also have the heartbreak, and experience of past playoff runs which will be used as fuel.
If this is it for the Lightning as we know them, what a run to cap off this era of hockey in Tampa Bay, where questions will suddenly shift to the contract status of the greatest player in franchise history, Steven Stamkos.
Prediction: Hurricanes Win Series 4-1
Western Conference Final: 1. Dallas Stars Vs 1. Vancouver Canucks:
This magical season for the Canucks will end short of the Stanley Cup Final. The Stars have been on the doorstep of the cup for years and have paid their dues. The future is bright with this Canucks core but rarely do you see young teams go from near the bottom of the standings in a conference to representing it without some sort of playoff heartache.
The Stars head back to the Stanley Cup Final.
Prediction: Stars Win Series 4-1
2024 Stanley Cup Final: Dallas Stars Vs Carolina Hurricanes:
Two franchises that have been so close to the Stanley Cup over the last few seasons. This would be a hard-hitting final that I believe would be low-scoring. With that in mind, I will go with the group that has been here before and has the better goaltending. Dallas has the perfect mix of veterans to go along with young talent, and with their window closing sooner rather than later, it is now or never for this group.
The Dallas Stars, the 2024 Stanley Cup Champions.
Prediction: Stars Win Series 4-2
Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: Jason Robertson
Full Bracket Prediction:
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