Featured

On July 10th, the NHL Players’ Association agreed to extend the current CBA through 2025-2026 season and officially move forward to phases 3 and 4 of the Return to Play Plan. As of July 13th, all 31 teams have begun their training camps to prepare for the resume to play with the new 24-team playoff format. On July 26th, the top 12 Eastern Conference teams will head over to Toronto, while the top 12 Western Conference teams will settle in Edmonton. The teams will remain in their respective hub cities until the Conference and Stanley Cup Finals, at which point all the remaining teams will be playing in Edmonton. To get warmed up, each team will play an exhibition game on July 28th, 29th, or 30th. Here are my analyses and predictions for each play-in matchup as well as the round-robin teams.

Eastern Conference:

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (12) Montreal Canadiens

How the Penguins can win:

The Penguins have a strong offensive core with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the charge, along with the goalie tandem of Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry. If they can shut down Montreal at the blue line, the Canadiens don’t stand a chance.

How the Canadiens can win:

Carey Price did not have the best season for himself; at the pause, he had a 27-25-6 record. With 4 months off, Price can return to his old form and possibly propel Montreal past Pittsburgh. However, I do not think Price alone can salvage Montreal as he will need some assistance on defense and the offense needs to do a better job scoring as the Canadiens goal differential stood at -9.

Players to watch: Tristan Jarry, Ivan Provorov

My prediction: I think the Penguins will sweep the Canadiens. Carey Price is not the goalie he used to be and it does not help that Montreal was not really in a playoff position to begin with.

(6) Carolina Hurricanes vs (11) New York Rangers

How the Hurricanes can win:

The Hurricanes top line of Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen are strong and fast skaters that can make it difficult for the Rangers defense to stop pucks from going to the net. The Rangers’ best pairing is Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren, so the Canes could look to mix up their lines to avoid the young defensive duo. With Dougie Hamilton fully recovered, he and Slavin will look to shut down their blue line.

How the Rangers can win:

The Rangers swept the season series against the Hurricanes, winning all 4 games. Henrik Lundqvist was in goal for 3 out of the 4 wins with Igor Shesterkin winning the remaining game. The Rangers will look to attack the net with their top two lines: the first line features a fully recovered Chris Kreider, NHL goals-per-game leader Mika Zibanejad, and Captain Happy Pavel Buchnevich; the second line features Hart Trophy finalist Artemiy Panarin, Ryan Strome, and fan-favorite Jesper Fast. I believe Rangers would be in a better position to win this series if Igor Shesterkin is in net rather than Lundqvist or Georgiev.

Players to watch: Vincent Trocheck, Kaapo Kakko

My prediction: I know it sounds biased because it is, but I believe the Rangers will beat the Hurricanes in 4 games. I see the Rangers winning game 1, losing game 2, but winning games 3 and 4 to advance to the next round.

(7) New York Islanders vs (10) Florida Panthers

How the Islanders can win: The Islanders need to get pucks in the net early. When the season paused, the Islanders were on a 7 game losing streak that began with an OT loss to my Rangers. The Islanders need to forget that losing streak because every team in the playoffs is coming off of not playing for 4 months and have the same momentum going forward.

How the Panthers can win: Last offseason, two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky became a free agent. Besides the Panthers, the Islanders were seemingly the other team interested in signing him. Bobrovsky’s first season as a Panther was rough, as he held a 23-19-6 record with a 3.23 GAA and a .900 SV%, his worst season since 2015-2016. The Panthers need Bobrovsky to return to his old form if they want to get past the Islanders.

Players to watch: Anthony Beauvillier, Sergei Bobrovsky

My prediction: I think players like Mat Barzal and Anders Lee will be a key factor in helping the Islanders win. The Panthers just do not have the firepower in them that I envision the Islanders do and Bobrovsky has had an abysmal season in goal. Islanders in 4 games.

(8) Toronto Maple Leafs vs (9) Columbus Blue Jackets

How the Maple Leafs can win: The Maple Leafs biggest issue is goaltending, so Frederik Andersen is going to have to rely on his defensemen to help him out. It was rumored over the season that the Leafs could look into trading for Rangers goalie Alexander Georgiev, but those rumors never came true.

How the Blue Jackets can win: The Blue Jackets should make sure every game they play is a 60-minute game. Columbus led the league in overtime losses with 15 and six more than Toronto. Playoffs overtime is completely different being that is a complete 20-minute period. John Tortorella has done a great job as a coach this year, but his ultimate test will arrive soon.

Players to watch: Elvis Merzlikins, William Nylander

My prediction: I think being that this is a series between an 8 and 9 seed, the games will be very close. I think because of Columbus’s better goaltending, they win the series in 5 games.

Eastern Conference Round-Robin Predictions:

Boston Bruins Washington Capitals Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference:

(5) Edmonton Oilers vs (12) Chicago Blackhawks:

How the Oilers can win: The Oilers had an outstanding season backed by the play of superstar Connor McDavid and Hart Trophy Finalist Leon Draisaitl. Although it has been more than 4 months since the team last played, I am sure they can get back into their groove. Goaltender play will also be a key factor.

How the Blackhawks can win: If I am being honest, the Blackhawks are not a playoff contender and never looked like they were throughout the regular season. However, if Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith can play like their old selves in the playoffs, the Blackhawks could a dangerous matchup for the Oilers.

Players to watch: Oscar Klefbom, Brandon Saad

My predictions: Despite how amazing Kane and Toews have been throughout their career, McDavid and Draisaitl have been a much more dominant duo this year. I predict the Oilers to beat the Blackhawks in 4 games.

(6) Nashville Predators vs (11) Arizona Coyotes:

How the Predators can win: Just 3 years ago, the Nashville Predators were Western Conference champions. Since then, a lot of changes have occurred between coaching and player rosters. Roman Josi is the captain and a Norris Trophy Finalist. If he keeps playing like that, the Predators can lock down to Coyotes’ offense. Additionally, the goalie tandem of Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros is one of the best in the league

How the Coyotes can win: The last time the Coyotes made the playoffs was in 2012, where they lost in the Conference Finals to the LA Kings. Not a single player from that roster is currently on their 2019-2020 team. I believe the key to Coyotes winning the series is the play of their goalies with Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper.

Players to watch: Derek Stepan, Calle Jarnkrok

My prediction: I see Predators winning this series in 5 games, but I believe all the games in this series will be close.

(7) Vancouver Canucks vs (10) Minnesota Wild:

How the Canucks can win: The Canucks are one of the older teams in the league, yet they are led by 24-year-old Bo Horvat. Along with Horvat, the Canucks have former Rangers forward J.T. Miller and Kings forward Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, all of which have years of playoff experience. I believe these players, along with Calder Trophy finalist Quinn Hughes, can help the Canucks succeed in the play-in round.

How the Wild can win: Like the Canucks, the Wild is another older team, with 9 players being older than 30. I believe that if the Wild can rely on their youth in players like Fiala, Donato, Galchenyuk, and others, it can complement the play of their veteran players.

Players to watch: Brock Boeser, Jonas Brodin

My prediction: I see Canucks winning this series in 5 games. This matchup is one I am looking forward to.

(8) Calgary Flames vs (9) Winnipeg Jets:

How the Flames can win: The Flames are a young team, with only 5 players older than 30. I believe relying on their youth core in players like Goudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, and others will help them succeed against Winnipeg.

Players to watch: David Rittich, Kyle Connor

How the Jets can win: The Jets can match up well with the Flame being that they only have 3 players older than 30. I believe the key to the Jets winning will be the play of Vezina finalist Connor Hellebuyck.

Western Conference Round-robin predictions: