If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late — Round 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and a Finals Prediction
When a round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs end, I usually give myself a day or two to write up my predictions for the next round. In the case of this Final matchup, it took me a bit longer to actually transcribe how I feel about this. But, my bets were always on the team that now look almost certain to hoist the trophy — perhaps as early as tonight. Before getting into that, a quick look back at the conference finals.
Conference Finals Recap
Vegas/Dallas: VEGAS in 6 (Prediction: DAL in 6)
I want to say that, in fairness, I did say that this prediction was more out of a hope for a chaotic Stanley Cup Final matchup, and less so because I felt Dallas could win the round. That being said, the idea of betting on Jake Oettinger quickly proved questionable as the Stars couldn’t help him enough to slow down that notoriously fast-paced Vegas offense.
I feel like I say this yearly now, but what’s next in Dallas? The young guns are proving their worth. But it’s not going to be long until we start looking at holes left by Benn, Seguin and the veterans. I don’t think the window is closed, but the Stars looked good this year… until they just didn’t.
Florida/Carolina: FLORIDA in 4 (Prediction: FLA in 7)
Picking the Panthers to take out Carolina wasn’t an easy decision — but I don’t know if anyone had them breaking out the brooms to sweep their way to the finals. The Hurricanes just couldn’t hold up against Florida — the goaltending was always a concern for me looking at the matchup on paper, and that proved to be a fair worry. But overall, the Panthers were just the better team.
Carolina has a history of weird moves to compete — I wonder if they’ll look at some upcoming trade block names like Dubois (WPG) to help solidify a core. There will be some big questions in net coming in Raleigh as well. Perhaps a big goalie move is on the horizon? I hear Winnipeg has a very good goaltender that may be available… for a price.
Stanley Cup Final Prediction
It’s going to be Vegas, this year. It has to be Vegas, or Gary Bettman isn’t meddling in the league’s success.
All joking aside, the Golden Knights didn’t sweep their way to the finals, but they look to be the overall better team. The goaltending is concerning, but Adin Hill has yet to prove himself fatigued, so I don’t see why you bet against him in the biggest series of his life. As I write this, Vegas already holds a stranglehold in the series, which I can’t say I’m shocked by. Florida having all that time off after their sweep of the Hurricanes may have done them in. There’s plenty of history in the league of teams having trouble starting back up after a quick round. Vegas didn’t get that luxury (or, curse perhaps.)
I’m saying Vegas in 6. Though, I do like a good home ice celebration, so perhaps that’s shortened. We will see. Either way, a fanbase will celebrate it’s first Stanley Cup — and I’ll always be happy about that.
