(Photo : (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 17: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck in opposition to Jason Robertson #21 of the Dallas Stars in time beyond regulation of their recreation at T-Mobile Arena on October 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Stars 3-2 in a shootout.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to start, and there are a number of high-profile matchups on faucet for probably the most thrilling postseason in skilled sports activities.
Over the following two months, we’ll slender the enjoying discipline down from 8 qualifying groups in every convention to only one left standing to hoist the Stanley Cup.
After a drama-filled race to the end line of the common season, the matchups are set, and it is time to break them down and provides a sequence prediction.
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NHL First Round Series Playoff Predictions
Out of the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers took the crown, whereas the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders gained the opposite two automated qualifying spots, routinely that means they will play one another. The Rangers draw the lesser wild card Washington Capitals.
In the Atlantic, the Florida Panthers gained the division, and so they’ll draw the higher-ranked wild card Tampa Bay Lightning. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs sq. off within the two-three showdown.
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M1: New York Rangers vs. WC2: Washington Capitals
This is an enormous mismatch on paper, because the Rangers dominated for nearly all the season, finally successful the Presidents’ Trophy because the league’s high common season workforce.
While the Rangers have been finished in at occasions by lack of focus and spotty protection, these should not be points for them in a playoff surroundings in opposition to a clearly inferior opponent.
New York dominates on particular groups and has adequate goaltending at 5-on-5 to win there too. Artemi Panarin simply accomplished his finest season but, and he’ll have loads of scoring assist from Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and an bettering Alexis Lafreniere.
The Pick: New York Rangers in 5
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M2: Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3: New York Islanders
The Hurricanes loaded up on the commerce deadline, including Jake Guentzel to type what instantly turned an extremely dynamic first line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.
For a workforce constructed round denying prime quality possibilities, the Islanders certain did quit loads of them this yr, rating seventeenth within the league in anticipated targets in opposition to per 60 minutes at 5-on-5. It’s not horrible, nevertheless it’s a far cry from the place they must be to be at their finest.
The Islanders method to win is bettering the protection, getting both Mathew Barzal or Bo Horvat to catch fireplace, and Sorokin stealing a recreation or two.
That might all occur, however even when it does, the Hurricanes might nonetheless win this one in six or seven.
The Pick: Carolina Hurricanes in 5
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A1: Florida Panthers vs. WC1: Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning’s depth is a far cry from what it was once, however a Nick Paul and a Tanner Jeannot sprinkled into the underside six appears like a pair alternatives to have guys down the lineup who can win a recreation.
While Florida is probably not fairly on the stage they had been at for many of this season proper now, accidents to Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe can clarify loads of that, and the Panthers have the depth, ability, play model, and goaltending to win this sequence.
The Pick: Florida Panthers in 6
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A2: Boston Bruins vs. A3: Toronto Maple Leafs
The no-Patrice-Bergeron-factor is the opposite huge factor on this sequence, because the Bruins have prior to now been capable of depend on the Bergeron line to each erase the opposition’s finest group and rating in bunches with Marchand and Pastrnak.
While there are postseason query marks on each side, Toronto’s mixture of uncertainty in internet, instability on protection, and inconsistency in manufacturing on this surroundings from their superstars makes them robust to roll with.
The Pick: Boston Bruins in 7
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C1: Dallas Stars vs. WC1: Vegas Golden Knights
This is simply the proper playoff sequence, each groups have so many guys who excel on each ends of the rink and play the bodily model of hockey that tends to raise within the playoffs. They each can roll 4 traces and belief three teams of defensemen, and so they are each well-coached with goalies who might steal the sequence.
It’s an inconceivable one to select, however I just like the high-end of the Stars roster just a bit bit extra. Give me Dallas.
The Pick: Dallas Stars in 7
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C2: Winnipeg Jets vs. C3: Colorado Avalanche
Winnipeg is nice sufficient to win a recreation with out Hellebuyck completely stealing it, and Hellebuyck is nice sufficient to steal one however that is perhaps it for the Jets on this sequence.
Colorado utilized the commerce deadline as a chance to rectify some severe depth considerations, and this roster appears to be like prefer it’s in significantly better form than at another level this yr. It will not be a cakewalk, however the Avs take this one.
The Pick: Colorado Avalanche in 6
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P1: Vancouver Canucks vs. WC2: Nashville Predators
Either goalie might win this sequence for his workforce, however assuming Thatcher Demko and Juuse Saros each play at a strong to good stage, I really just like the upset on this sequence.
Look for Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg to present the Canucks matches, and whereas Vancouver’s high line is nice, it has been vulnerable to chilly spells at occasions this yr. A quiet two video games from the highest Canucks might spell doom.
The Pick: Nashville Predators in 7
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P2: Edmonton Oilers vs. P3: Los Angeles Kings
While that is probably the most full workforce the Oilers have ever surrounded Connor McDavid with, questions do stay nonetheless about whether or not the secondary scoring will probably be sufficient to win the Cup.
It is probably not, nevertheless it and all the pieces else about this workforce will probably be sufficient to deal with Los Angeles.
The Pick: Edmonton Oilers in 5
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