Sunday, May 30, 2021

NHL 2020-21 Round 1 Playoff Predictions

(team links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
I didn't have time to post my annual first round predictions earlier in the month, but I was spot-on a couple of times, way off as well, and pretty close on the rest:

Canadian Division (North):
Toronto Maple Leafs (1) vs Montréal Canadiens (4): Habs in 6, because the Leafs cannot get out of the first round
Edmonton Oilers (2) vs Winnipeg Jets (3): Oilers in 6, they're representing Canada in the Final Four

East:
Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs New York Islanders (4): Islanders in 7, Barry Trotz is too good a coach
Washington Capitals (2) vs Boston Bruins (3): Caps in 6

Central Division:
Carolina Hurricanes(1) vs Nashville Predators (4): Canes in 5
Florida Panthers (2) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (3): Bolts in 7, but if one team can beat a healthy Lightning team, it's the Cats

West:
Colorado Avalanche (1) vs St. Louis Blues(4): Avs in 5. The Blues have experience, but if Colorado gets its goalie back, they're going to the Final
Vegas Golden Knights(2) vs Minnesota Wild (3): Vegas in 6

I'll have my Round 2 predictions up when the Habs defeat the Leafs tomorrow.