Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Preview
Atlantic Division
1. Boston Bruins vs. WC2. Florida Panthers
Bruins in Five
The Bruins are a machine. They have set the single-season record with 65 wins and 135 points. They had a goal differential of +128, the best in the NHL and nearly double the team that is second. They have goaltending, defense, and scoring, with David Pasternak leading the way with 65 goals. The Panthers won the President's Trophy last season and can testify that it can be a curse in the postseason. The Panthers had a great second half to get into the playoffs and will be pesky, but ultimately the Bruins are too strong.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Maple Leafs in Four
The struggles of the Maple Leafs in the postseason are well-documented. They have not won a postseason series since 2004, the longest active drought in the NHL. Last year, the Lightning struck down Toronto in seven games and reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season. This year, the Lightning look old. They are missing their spark and do not have another long run in them. Tampa struggled over the last month, as the Maple Leafs finished strong. Look for Toronto to make quick work of the Lightning and score a surprising sweep.
Metropolitan Division
Islanders in Six
1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1. New York Islanders
The Islanders had their ups and downs but slipped into the postseason with a win in their final game. Carolina was built to win the Stanley Cup but struggled down the stretch since Andrei Svechnikov suffered a knee injury in March. The Islanders are predicated on defense and goaltending, so if they can get a good series from Iyla Sorokin, they can throw a scare into the Hurricanes. Look for this to be a tight defensive battle, with the Islanders getting the upset.
2. New Jersey Devils vs. 3. New York Rangers
Devils in Six
This is the best series of the first round, as the Hudson River Rivalry is renewed. The Devils have risen from the depths of despair and had the best regular season in team history. They are built on speed and scoring, with Jack Hughes leading the way. New Jersey's biggest question is their lack of playoff experience, as a majority of the roster is under the age of 25. The Devils will try to win with speed, leading the experienced Rangers to make it a sloppy defense game. If the Devils' youth and skill is able to shine, they will win the series
Central Division
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1. Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2. Seattle Kraken
Kraken in Seven
The Colorado Avalanche clawed their way to the Central Division title after a season full of injury and frustration. The reigning Stanley Cup Champions were without captain Gabriel Landeskog all season after undergoing knee surgery in October. Landeskog will also miss the postseason, making the path to repeat even harder for Colorado. The Seattle Kraken are making their postseason debut in their second season. The Kraken are the perfect team to knock off the Avalanche. They are hungry and looking to make some noise while Colorado runs out of steam and falls in seven games.
2. Dallas Stars vs. 3. Minnesota Wild
Wild in Six
This could be the most entertaining series in the Western Conference. The Stars have a good balanced attack with Jamie Benn leading the way. The Wild, meanwhile, focus on keeping the puck out of the net as Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury have both had strong seasons. Jake Oettinger is the Stars netminder who needs to be at the top of his. game, going against the Wild duo. Expect it to be a low-scoring series, with goaltending being the difference, as the Wild win the series in six games.
Pacific Division
1. Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2. Winnipeg Jets
Golden Knights in Six
After a one-year absence, the Golden Knights are back in the postseason and are the top seed in the West. Since making the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, Vegas has been a strong postseason team and battled through adversity to claim the Pacific Division and the best record in the West. If the Winnipeg Jets are to have a chance, they will need Connor Hellebuyck to stand on his head. The Jets' goalie can steal a game or two but will not be able to win the series as the Knights emerge in six games.
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings
Oilers in Five
The Oilers and Kings are meeting again. Last year, the Oilers needed seven games to survive on the way to the Western Conference Finals. The Oilers again have the best offense in the NHL, with Connor McDavid winning the scoring title with 153 points, with a league-high 64 goals. Leon Draisaitl was second in scoring 128 points. The Oilers' goaltending remains spotty, but it will not matter for this series, as the Oilers skate circles around the Kings, winning in five games.