NHL Playoffs Preview and Round One Predictions

By: Garret Kryzanowski

First off, I know I am writing this with the playoffs already under way, I apologize. My picks will be the same as they were before any playoff games happened, scouts honour. This is the craziest, edge of your seat, can you believe that time of year. Without further ado, let's break down the first round!

P 1. Boston Bruins vs WC 2. Florida Panthers

It is not hard to figure out the story of this playoff series. Presidents Trophy winners and statistically the greatest regular season team of all time, the Boston Bruins look to make short work of the Florida Panthers. Led by David Pastrnak's 61 goals, the Bruins have been unstoppable this year, winning 65 games and putting up an NHL record 135 points. They are a beast. They take on the Panthers who were led by Matthew Tkachuk and his 109 points. This series is going to go exactly like any NHL fan would think, with the Bruins winning handedly. The Bruins are going to win this series 4-1, and book there ticket to round two. While the Panthers go home just happy that they got to be apart of the NHL playoffs.

A2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs A3. Tampa Bay Lightning

In a rematch of the first round from last year we see the infamous Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the three time reigning Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning. This series last year was a classic. Seven hard fought games with the previously mentioned Tampa Bay Lightning winning in Toronto. This year the Leafs are once again led by a dynamic duo in Mitch Marner, who had 99 points this year and Auston Matthews who scored 40 goals this season. While the three time reigning East champs are led by Andrei Vasilevskiy who put up an impressive .915 save percentage. So who will win? I truly believe this is finally the year the Leafs get over the hump and make it to the second round. Yes, it would be the first time since 2003-04 season but it will happen. The Leafs are going to win this series 4-2 and finally get that monkey off their back, just in time to make a deep run. While the Lightning will be sent home early for the first time in a long time.

M1. Carolina Hurricanes vs W2. New York Islanders

This is an intriguing match up in my eyes because I did not expect the Islanders to make the playoffs when watching late in the year, but here they are. The New York Islanders are led by late season acquisition Bo Horvat, who helped spark this late season push by the Islanders. They are taking on a very consistent and good team in the Carolina Hurricanes. Leading the Hurricanes into another playoff series is none other then Sebastian Aho and the 36 goals he scored this year. Like is stated earlier I didn't think the Islanders would make the playoffs so I am going to pick against them. That doesn't mean it won't be close, the Hurricanes have an act for keeping inferior teams around. The Hurricanes will take this series 4-3, while the Islanders will go home irritated with themselves for firing Barry Trotz.

M2. New Jersey Devils vs M3. New York Rangers

This is going to be one hell of a series and in my opinion the best of the first round. The New Jersey Devils are making there first playoff appearance since the 2017-18 season. They are led by young superstar Jack Hughes, who set a franchise record with 99 points this season. They are taking on a team compiled of superstars in the New York Rangers. Now, the Rangers have acquired a lot of star power, including three time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane. The questions are simple, is there too much star power on the Rangers? Or will the Devils youth be a hindrance or a benefit? Too me I think the age of the Devils will be the deciding factor of the series, and it won't give the Devils the result they want. This series will be won by the Rangers 4-3. The Rangers will move on while the Devils and there fans can be excited about the bright future ahead of them.

C1. Colorado Avalanche vs W1. Seattle Kraken

This series feels a lot like David vs Goliath. It has the defending Stanley Cup champions taking on the second year expansion team making its first playoff appearance ever. It is the Colorado Avalanche led by the second-best player in the NHL, Cale Makar, who had 66 points in only 60 games. There opponent, the Seattle Kraken led by Jared McCann and his 70 points this season. This series is interesting in the fact that no one thought the Kraken would be good this year and because the Avalanche have turned it around from mid-season when they sat out of the playoffs. This series is going to go to the defending champions 4-2. The Kraken were just happy to make the playoffs and it will show in this series.

C2. Dallas Stars vs C3. Minnesota Wild

This series has the potential to be incredibly close or a blowout. The aging Dallas Stars are being led by star goalie Jake Oettinger who put up 37 wins and a .919 save percentage. There opponent, the Minnesota Wild and there 40 goal scorer Kirill Kaprizov. This series is a toss up for me. I truly think the Wild are the better team but the Stars have the better goalie in Oettinger. We all saw last year how great Oettinger could be when he stood on his head in a first round series loss to the Calgary Flames. In a choice between better goalie and better team in a seven game series I am going to go team every time. The Wild will win this series 4-3 and I expect at least two overtime games.

P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs W2. Winnipeg Jets

In this series we see the top seeded team in the West taking on the last team to sneak into the playoffs, however, the series will not shape out that way at all. The Vegas Golden Knights who did score by committee this season are led by Jack Eichel and his 66 points this past season. While the Winnipeg Jets are led by star goalie Connor Hellebuyck and his .920 save percentage. The Golden Knights may be the top seed but the Jets have been the third-hottest team in the NHL the last few weeks. They are going to push the Golden Knights to the brink in every single game and this series. Now, I do think the Golden Knights will win this series 4-3, but it will be a gruelling series and I truly think the Golden Knights will have to deal with the consequences of that in the later rounds. For the Jets, they get to start golfing early this year, again.

P2. Edmonton Oilers vs P3. Los Angeles Kings

For all my local readers I have saved the best for last and by best I mean the best player. The Edmonton Oilers had three 100 point players but one stood above the rest. Connor McDavid led the Edmonton Oilers this season with an astounding 153 points and 64 goals. There opponent, the LA Kings are led by Adrian Kempe who scored 41 goal this season. This series will be familiar for both teams as it is a rematch from the first round last year. The. Oilers are the hottest team in the NHL right now as they finished the season 14-0-1 and on a nine game winning streak. That coupled with the brilliance of the NHL's best player in McDavid will lead the Oilers to a 4-1 series victory. While the Oilers look to make another deep playoff run the Kings will be furious being sent home early by the Oilers for the second straight year.

The NHL playoffs are always sheer excitement and energy. I expect these playoffs to be no different. For those of you who like me had there favourite team miss the playoffs, I am sorry. For those of you whose favourite team made the playoffs, enjoy it. There isn't anything better.