With the NHL regular season coming to a close, it is time to preview the NHL playoffs. In this article I will run through the Eastern conference and predict each matchup. Then I will be back later this week to do the Western conference. Let’s get to it.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. W.C. 2. New Jersey Devils

Both of these teams have been a major surprise this season. Tampa Bay was expected to be good, but not the best team in the East. Similarly few expected the Devils to make the playoffs, much less lead the Metropolitan division for a stretch. Thanks mostly to Taylor Hall, arguably the front runner for the Hart trophy, the Devils have made major strides this season. Their back end is much improved and their forwards are deeper than usual. They have also gotten solid goaltending from Cory Schneider and Kieth Kinkaid. Although the Devils have had a fantastic season, I do not think they have much of a chance against this Lightning team. Tampa Bay is too deep both on offense and on defense. They have two of the best forwards in the league in Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, but they have also gotten solid contributions from Brayden Point, J.T. Miller, Yanni Gourde, and Alex Killorn. They are astacked defensively with world class blue liner Victor Hedman leading the way and Mikhail Sergachev, Anton Stralman, and trade deadline acquisition Ryan McDonagh following. On top of all of this, they have Vezina candidate Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. They are first in the league in goals per game with 3.5 and top 12 in the league in goals against per game. They have a balanced attack and should win this series handily.

Prediction: Tampa Bay beats New Jersey 4-1.

2. Washington Capitals vs. W.C. 1. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are an incredibly streaky team. They constantly go on long winning and losing streaks. It will be very important for them to go into the playoffs on a high streak. They have the capability to do that with their offensive fire power. They have a great 1-2-3 punch with Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Couturier. They can score with the best of them. In addition they have a solid back end led by youngster Ivan Provorov. They have the capability to be a very good hockey team but the Capitals likewise can be a very scary team. Lead by superstars Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, and supported by Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, they should not be taken lightly. This series will likely come down to who can stop the other teams top scorers. I believe that the Capitals will be able to do that better than the Flyers. They have a solid back end with John Carlson, Matt Niskanen, and Dmitry Orlov. I think that they will be able to stifle the Flyers offense and that Philadelphia’s blue line won’t be able to stop Ovechkin and company.

Prediction: Washington beats Philadelphia 4-2.

3. Bostin Bruins vs. 4. Toronto Maple Leafs

This is arguably the best first round matchup in the Eastern conference. Both of these can score and both have world class goaltenders. Boston will need David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron to carry the scoring load if they wish to win. They will also need Tuuka Rask to outplay Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen. If this happens, and Charlie McAvoy shuts down the Leafs top line, they have a chance. To counter this, Toronto will look to youngsters Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner. I believe that this matchup will come down to which high powered offense will succeed better against the opposing goaltender. In my opinion the Bruins have the better defense and a deeper offense.

Prediction: Boston defeats Toronto 4-3

5. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 6. Columbus Blue Jackets

Haven’t we seen enough of Pittsburgh? This should be another great series. Columbus will need their strong defense to shut down Pittsburg’s incredible forwards. Players such as Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Ryan Murray, and David Savard to (somehow) stop Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel. The Penguins likely have too much firepower for the young defenders of Columbus to handle. They have three lines that could arguably be the top line on most teams. They are third in the league in goals per game with 3.3 and I think that could increase in the playoffs. While Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is great, I do not think Columbus will be able to stop Pittsburgh.

Prediction: Pittsburgh over Columbus 4-2.

Eastern Conference Semis:

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins

This matchup will come down to defense. Both team have strong forwards and a good goaltender, but Tampa Bay defends better. Boston is relatively young and may not be able to hang with this strong Lightning team. I think that Tampa’s strong defensive will be able to shut down Boston’s inexperienced forwards. It will be a tight series, but I believe that the Lightning are too deep for Boston to deal with.

Prediction: Tampa Bay beats Boston 4-2.

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Ugh. We have to watch this again? As a Capitals fan, it pains me to say it, but I don’t think the Caps can beat the Penguins. Pittsburgh is in Washington’s head. These teams are relatively evenly matched, but the mental game severely favors the Penguins. They both have deep offenses and decent back ends. The only thing the Capitals can say they are truly better at is in goal with Braden Holtby. This will be an incredibly close series, most likely going to 7 games, but until I see the Capitals win a game 7 against Pittsburgh, I can not believe.

Prediction: Pittsburgh beats Washington 4-3.

Eastern Conference Finals:

Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh

I think I am starting to sound like a broken record. Both of these teams have high powered offenses but Tampa Bay has better defense and goaltending. They are both top three in goals per game but only one these teams has Victor Hedman. Pittsburgh does not have any defenseman to throw at Tampa similar to Hedman. I don’t think they will be able to shut the Lightning down.

Prediction: Tampa Bay defeats Pittsburgh 4-2.

And there you have it. According to AEI Sports the Tampa Bay Lightning will be representing the Eastern conference in the Stanley Cup finals. Stay tuned for my Western conference predictions. Thank you so much for reading and don’t forget to leave a like and a comment on this post. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter @aeisports.