A Year Of “Finally”- Why I Think These NHL Playoffs Will Be Insane
When I normally go to build my NHL post-season bracket, it typically looks pretty standard — the big teams get through in a breeze, maybe an underdog sneaks through a round. This year, I’m changing it up. I’m here for what I’m calling “logical chaos”.
Well, there you have it. As a Jets fan who was finally seeing him team outside the playoff picture, this bracket was, for once, a blank slate to play with. No bias anywhere here, folks. Sit back and take a deep dive with me on my decisions that will almost certainly end in disaster, won’t you?
Western Conference
Colorado/Nashville: COLORADO in 5
I’d like you to imagine a world where the Avalanche do not win this series. I don’t care if it’s a sweep, or they go seven and fail to hold off Nashville. Oh boy, I can see the panic from here. The good news is that I really don’t see that happening. With Jusse Saros, one of the NHL’s top-tier goaltenders out with injury the start of, if not more of this series, the Preds will be relying on a tandem of David Riddich and Connor Ingram.
It’s not a lack of faith in the Predators, who have had an admittingly good season — mostly on the back of Saros’ goaltending, alongside big coming out parties for guys like Tanner Jeannot, one of the NHL’s best kept secrets. My issue is that the Avalanche are just that good. I’m giving Nashville a win somewhere in this, but that’s all. Avs in five. Sorry, Smashville.
Minnesota/St. Louis: ST. LOUIS in 7
Sit back and grab some popcorn for this series — it’s one of just three in the bracket where I picked a full seven games to decide a winner. And I really believe this could be one of the most entertaining series this playoffs. On one hand, you have Minnesota, a team that has been trying to sneak past teams for what feels like forever now. But with some new talent — and not just some good depth — Kirill Kaprizov is one of the best goal scorers in hockey. Add on a goaltending tandem of Marc-André Fleury and Cam Talbot, who have both been solid in Wild jerseys, and you have a good team. The Wild need to go for it this season. Salary cap hell awaits, regardless of the result this season.
On the other hand, the Blues should never be doubted. Remember what happened in 2019 when we all figured they were down and out at the all-star break? Fortune favours the bold, hockey fans. And this gritty St. Louis team, carried in goal by Ville Husso — and when in doubt, Jordan Binnington, who already has a ring of his own from the ’19 run, alongside a refreshed core up front, really have looked like a threat. This series is going to be insane. I’m giving it to St. Louis in a full seven, but this honestly could go either way.
Calgary/Dallas: CALGARY in 6
We’ve been waiting for a while to say that the Flames are a genuinely good team. This season, it finally seemed to click. Maybe it was the coaching of Darryl Sutter — who, by the way, does have a pretty good record with his coaching tactics working in the playoffs — or perhaps it was the goaltending finally, holding up to the standards set when Jacob Markstrom signed in Calgary. Whatever it is, Calgary is a force to be reckoned with.
On the other hand, never count out Dallas. Jake Oettinger has ben a force to be reckoned with at times this year — and that Benn/Seguin core still has some fight left, I’m sure. That being said, Dallas barely squeaked into the playoffs at the last minute, and I’m not sure if this group can fend off the Flames offense that helped that team cruise into the postseason. I’m giving this to Calgary in six. Another team in the Central bites the dust. Sorry, Stars fans.
Edmonton/Los Angeles: EDMONTON in 5
Alright, this one’s a bit of a weird series. I say this will go five, but let’s say this goes seven? I wouldn’t be shocked. This is a wild card series in my eyes. Here, you have the Oilers — Connor McDavid continues to be the best hockey player on the face of the Earth, and his surrounding core of Leon Draisaitl and the gang have a high-flying offense that should terrify any defense. The real question for the Oilers is in goal, as it has been for some time. Are you getting the Mike Smith who has played like he’s Patrick Roy the past few weeks? Or are you getting the one who you were desperate to replace. He may be the catalyst in this series.
Speaking of goaltending, could I interest you in the Kings? Cal Petersen and Jonathan Quick are turning out to be quite a decent duo in net for L.A. The young core is starting to blossom, a night reward for a team that agreed that it was time to rebuild a few years ago. There’s still some pieces left of that old winning core, but no Doughty is quite a loss to start — if not for the entire series. The light at the end of the rebuild tunnel is approaching. But I don’t think it’s there yet. I think Edmonton gets past the Kings in five. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go watch Mike Smith get pulled and the Oilers get swept again.
Eastern Conference
Florida/Washington: FLORIDA in 6
All stats and caveats aside, the Panthers better win this series. This team is too good to not win at least one series. Sergei Bobrovsky has appeared to returned to prime form, finally earning part of that monster contract. Florida was on record-setting pace for scoring amongst the NHL’s greatest offensive teams in history at times this season. They’re really good, man. On the other hand, the Presidents Trophy is a blessing and a curse. Panthers fans can only pray they can keep up their winning ways going into the postseason.
Hey look, it’s Alexander Ovechkin and the gang! That’s really what it is at this point for Washington — as if it wasn’t always that, to be fair. I was happy to see number eight get a ring a few years ago, but something tells me there’s not much left in the tank for the Capitals. This team is still good, don’t get me wrong. But that goaltending has not been as impressive as some thought possible. Fill in that Ovechkin may not be at 100% for the start of the series, and you’re running into a problem — especially when you’re playing the best team from the regular season. No pressure. Panthers, go shock the world and win a series. Florida in six.
Toronto/Tampa Bay: TORONTO in 7
It’s okay, you’re probably not the only person that skipped to this series. Yes, I’m genuinely picking the Leafs here. The biggest issue this team faced in playoff runs of the past was defense and goaltending — this season, those haven’t been rearing their head nearly as much. Jack Campbell was an all-star, and since returning from injury, has been looking pretty swell. The defense core, led now with help from a much-needed veteran presence in Mark Giordano, has looked solid. And I don’t think the forwards need anything from me. Auston Matthews scored sixty(!!!) goals. Mitch Marner helped carry the offense without being shafted by the fanbase. The Leafs made a Calder Trophy candidate of a guy who’s quite possibly closer to retirement than his draft year. That’s not easy. This team is really good.
Do I need to say anything about the Lightning? The pressure to three-peat is officially on. The Lightning have the blessing of quite possibly the best goaltender in the NHL, alongside a high-flying offense and a fantastic defense. This team is not to be messed with. But, for some reason, I feel that they won’t be able to hold off a team who knows they need to prove the haters wrong. It’s not going to be easy for Toronto, there’s no question about that. But if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Leafs, in seven, naturally.
P.S. Let’s say Tampa Bay does win this series — a Panthers/Lightning second-round matchup? Where do I sign up.
Carolina/Boston: CAROLINA in 7
The Canes are once again back in the hot seat. This core is ready to win, and the pressure is on to finally get past the brick wall that has been facing them for some time now — the second round. The good news? I think the odds appear in their favour to at least get past the first round this postseason. Carolina’s only question mark will be in net — Antti Raanta will be taking the reigns to at least start the quest for the cup — something that doesn’t exactly give me all the confidence in the world, to be honest. But I think the team around him can help with a concerning goaltending situation.
Boston is back here again, the team that just won’t go away. The depth scoring really blossomed for the Bruins this season, something they really haven’t had much of in the past few seasons. This might also be Patrice Bergeron’s last run at a championship wearing black and yellow, so make it worth his time. The goaltending in Boston has also been surprisingly good this season, even with the retirement of Tuukka Rask. Sadly, I just don’t know if they can fend off the pesky Canes. I’m giving this to Carolina in seven — this should be a good series for fans from all around. And I’m not saying I’d be cheering deep down for a Boston/Toronto Conference Finals… but that sure would be interesting.
New York/Pittsburgh: New York in 6
Oh baby, it’s the Rangers time to shine. The rebuild has been working good for this club — goaltending from Igor Shesterkin that even Henrik Lundqvist would be proud of, offense from the whole team, and a few fantastic depth additions (shoutout to former Jet Andrew Copp) at the deadline. A perennial Norris candidate in Adam Fox on the blue line. This team might not be perfect, but boy, they’re awfully good looking. I have a hard time seeing the Rangers not doing well in this series.
However, may I interest you in the team that I’ve been expecting to fall off for about five years now? The Penguins are back here, albeit not in nearly as good shape as a few seasons past — goaltending is a big question mark for Pittsburgh — can you hold off the Rangers? The leadership up front is, well, championship caliber. Crosby, Malkin and friends are all around — but this may be the end of the line for some of the big names as free agency awaits. I think the Rangers have this series all but locked down. But I’m giving it six games, because… well, the Penguins.
I’m not going to go into detail about my conference final picks, because who knows what can happen. I picked some big teams to break through, and some big names to fall. Chances are, some of (if not, quite a few of) my picks will be totally wrong — but that’s the beauty of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, isn’t it?
Anything can happen. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. And seeing stadiums full again? That’s a blessing not to be forgotten.
