cid789 : they were the top team in the league before the break but I wonder if being one of the top 4 seeds in either conference is actually going to be a good thing this time.

Many teams will play 3-5 games before they have to take on one of the top 4 seeded teams. They will be well into game shape while the top 4 seed teams will have only played 1 exhibition game in months. I see this being a big advantage to the teams playing their way into the normal 16 team playoff rounds.

Obviously the top 4 seeds in each conference were the better teams during the year but this much time off and not playing before you come up against an opponent can make a difference. We'll have to wait and see but I am hopeful for some big shake-ups this time around. I love seeing some top seeded teams get taken out in the first or second round. Really spices things up

geeogree : yes true. i would like see a rematch against bruins vs blues.

That would definitely be interesting and possible. They are the best teams in each conference.

I personally don't like seeing teams win multiple years in a row anymore. I used to enjoy it (probably because I was cheering for the teams doing the winning) but now that I'm a lot less invested in any one team and more about enjoying the sport for what it is I prefer seeing new teams make it to the finals.

I think that's why St. Louis getting to the finals last year was so great. They hadn't been for a long time and so them getting there and the season that preceded that cup run was so up and down is what made it so enjoyable. I want to see a new team or 2 do that again this year.

This is going to be my prediction post for the best out of 5 qualifying rounds that are starting this Saturday August 1st.

Edmonton (5) vs Chicago (12)

I think this one will be closer than their ranking suggests. I believe Chicago was without Crawford for most of the season and if he is back and healthy that should help stabilize things.

However, Edmonton has 2 of the top players in the league and will be difficult to stop for Chicago.

Edmonton in 5.

Nashville (6) vs Arizona (11)

These 2 teams were a lot closer in the standings than I expected (points wise) with only 4 points separating them. I guess that is going to become a theme with the remaining teams.

I still see Nashville as the better overall team. WAY more experienced in the playoffs and with better goaltending for sure.

Nashville in 4.

Vancouver (7) vs Minnesota (10)

1 point separates these 2 teams. Markstrom being back for this series really helps Vancouver. They are a young and upcoming team that I think really needs a series win or 2 in the playoffs to solidify the team. Plus I don't see Minnesota as a real threat anymore. They seem to be trending in the wrong direction.

Vancouver in 4

Calgary (8) vs Winnipeg (9)

This is probably the biggest toss up of the Western Conference. The Jets have more points than Calgary but are listed behind which is strange. Either way this matchup is going to be good. Winnipeg has the better (or more consistent) goalie. That's not to say Rittich can't be as good but he wasn't when the season ended.

I also think Winnipeg is the deeper team.

However, I have to go with Calgary in 5 because they are my team. I honestly don't think they will win the series but I can't root against them.

Pittsburgh (5) vs Montreal (12)

Pittsburgh has Guentzel back and no other serious injury on their lineup that I'm aware of. Montreal simply isn't a strong enough team to compete. Carey Price will have to stand on his head to give Montreal a chance and I doubt he'll be able to stand up to the assault Pittsburgh can bring.

Pittsburgh in 3

Carolina (6) vs Rangers (11)

This is going to be an interesting series. The Rangers won the season 4-0 but this is a 5 game series and anything could happen.

However, based on the season series I'm going to go with the Rangers in 5.

Islanders (7) vs Panthers (10)

This is the reverse of the last series. The higher ranked team won all the games this time. I think the Islanders are overall a better team and should take the game but the Panthers do have Bobrovsky and he does have game stealing ability. He hasn't really shown it in Florida but you never know.

Still, the Islanders have been the better team in the season series and I think will win in 4.

Toronto (8) vs Columbus (9)

This one is going to be interesting. Toronto is definitely the higher powered team going in but Columbus had the same point total as Toronto and probably had the worst injury bug of the season.

The real question is can Columbus stop Toronto's firepower? I honestly don't think so but they managed to stop Tampa Bay last year and could do it again. Wouldn't be quite the same upset but it would be bad still.

I still think Toronto will win but it will be a tougher series than it should be for them. Toronto in 5.

Let's see how wrong I was:

Chicago vs Edmonton - I said Edmonton in 5 and Chicago won in 4.

0 for 1

Nashville vs Arizona - I had Nashville in 4 games and it was Arizona in 4 games. Totally missed this one.

0 for 2

Vancouver vs Minnesota - I actually got this one right on. I didn't think Minnesota was strong enough to win the series.

1 for 3

Calgary vs Winnipeg - this one I will give myself on a technicality (that Calgary won the series). It took major injuries for Winnipeg for Calgary to beat them but they still won in 4.

2 for 4

Pittsburgh vs Montreal - got this one totally wrong as well. Can't believe Montreal won in 4 games. I wonder what kind of shake-up will, or won't, happen in Pittsburgh.

2 for 5

Carolina vs Rangers - wow, another one that is totally wrong. I had Rangers in 5 and Carolina swept 3 straight. Couldn't believe it was this one-sided.

2 for 6

Islanders vs Panthers - whew, another one I got right. I think I underestimated the Panthers in this one when I looked at it but I managed to get it right in spite of that. Florida is better than I realized.

3 for 7

Toronto vs Columbus - I got the number of games right but the winner wrong. Honestly it could have ended in 4 but Toronto got lucky in game 4. I honestly don't know what Toronto is going to do this off-season. Hopefully they don't blow things up too much but something needs to change.

3 for 8

Hopefully someone replies to this thread so I can make my next round predictions without running into a max of posts in this thread (if that is still a thing). I am excited about the REAL playoffs now. I hope the qualifiers don't count towards actual playoff totals but it might.

Philadelphia (1) vs Montreal (8)

This is a strange series. I didn't think of Philly as being an overly good team but they won the round robin and were top 4 in the East. I feel similarly about Montreal as I did when they took on Pittsburgh. They don't have the firepower to compete. However, Price having a strong series and good defence supporting him will give them a chance.

Philly in 6 games.

Tampa Bay (2) vs Columbus (7)

I kind of hope this series goes like last time. However, I don't think it could be a sweep. Maybe Columbus in 6 games this time around. Honestly there is almost no chance that happens again because this team is not the same as it was last year.

Tampa Bay in 5 games.

Washington (3) vs Islanders (6)

Washington doesn't feel like the juggernaut that they have in the last 3 or 4 years. Still, there is a ton of experience on that team and I don't see the Islanders having enough skill to take them on.

Washington in 6 games.

Boston (4) vs Carolina (5)

I'm a bit surprised that Boston ended up as the 4th overall after the round robin. Boston was seeming pretty dominant this year before the shutdown. Still, Boston is a regular great team for quite a while now and will not be easy to beat. Carolina has quite a bit of talent on their team as well but haven't quite become a regular winner.

Boston in 6 games.

Vegas (1) vs Chicago (8)

I got Chicago vs Edmonton wrong but I can't imagine Chicago beating Vegas. I guess it's possible of course but I think Vegas is a much stronger team down the lineup than Edmonton was. It won't be enough to stop 2 players this time around for Chicago plus goaltending for Vegas will be MUCH better.

Vegas in 6 games.

Colorado (2) vs Arizona (7)

I think this series could be a really enjoyable one to watch. I think both teams are pretty talented and have a lot of dynamic players. However, if I have to pick a team to win I think it is obvious.

Colorado in 5 games.

Dallas (3) vs Calgary (6)

This is going to be a battle of offence from Calgary vs defense from Dallas. I think if Bishop is healthy and can play the entire series that gives Dallas a big advantage. If he isn't playing or not fully healthy that gives the edge to Calgary. I can't go against my team even if I think Dallas has a better chance of winning.

Calgary in 6.

St. Louis (4) vs Vancouver (5)

The positioning of these teams make it seem like they are evenly matched but I really don't think they will be. Defending champ St. Louis is pretty much the same team as they were when they won and Vancouver while better than last year isn't quite a Stanley cup contender.

St. Louis in 5.



I think the real wild card for all of these games will be the lack of "home ice". Every game is in the same building (and the actual home teams are both out) so the only real advantages are for changes and faceoffs I believe. Everything else will be basically the same. This takes a lot of the home ice advantage away from the 1-4 teams. Probably not enough to sway any series but it might cause some surprises. At the same time this would also reduce pressure from "home" teams having expectations from their fans during games.

Mostly I'm just excited for 8 full series of playoff hockey. I didn't really feel like we got that in the qualifying rounds. I'm definitely looking forward to a full day of hockey tomorrow.

Philadelphia (1) vs Montreal (8)

This is a strange series. I didn't think of Philly as being an overly good team but they won the round robin and were top 4 in the East. I feel similarly about Montreal as I did when they took on Pittsburgh. They don't have the firepower to compete. However, Price having a strong series and good defence supporting him will give them a chance.
i think this one will be good one to see upset flyers are 1 of few i see them being upset.
montreal in 7 games.

Tampa Bay (2) vs Columbus (7)

I kind of hope this series goes like last time. However, I don't think it could be a sweep. Maybe Columbus in 6 games this time around. Honestly there is almost no chance that happens again because this team is not the same as it was last year. this one will be tough to say

Tampa Bay in 6 games.

Washington (3) vs Islanders (6)

Washington doesn't feel like the juggernaut that they have in the last 3 or 4 years. Still, there is a ton of experience on that team and I don't see the Islanders having enough skill to take them on. 4-1 Washington knocked out ny islanders

Washington in 5 games.

Boston (4) vs Carolina (5)

I'm a bit surprised that Boston ended up as the 4th overall after the round robin. Boston was seeming pretty dominant this year before the shutdown. Still, Boston is a regular great team for quite a while now and will not be easy to beat. Carolina has quite a bit of talent on their team as well but haven't quite become a regular winner. carolina did sweep ny rangers. i will see the bruins will out this round.

carolina in 5 games. because how bad the bruins played lately.

Vegas (1) vs Chicago (8)

I got Chicago vs Edmonton wrong but I can't imagine Chicago beating Vegas. I guess it's possible of course but I think Vegas is a much stronger team down the lineup than Edmonton was. It won't be enough to stop 2 players this time around for Chicago plus goaltending for Vegas will be MUCH better.
chi might have a good chance to upset vegas plus i am not fan of vegas hockey team. either colorado or flames knocked out vegas.
chicago in 7 games.

Colorado (2) vs Arizona (7)

I think this series could be a really enjoyable one to watch. I think both teams are pretty talented and have a lot of dynamic players. However, if I have to pick a team to win I think it is obvious.

arizona in 7 games.

Dallas (3) vs Calgary (6)

This is going to be a battle of offence from Calgary vs defense from Dallas. I think if Bishop is healthy and can play the entire series that gives Dallas a big advantage. If he isn't playing or not fully healthy that gives the edge to Calgary. I can't go against my team even if I think Dallas has a better chance of winning. flames have good being shorthanded hockey with a former bruins and kings player lucic is good fighter guy i will see flames beating vegas in 7 games to make the stanley cup this year.

Calgary in 5.

St. Louis (4) vs Vancouver (5)

The positioning of these teams make it seem like they are evenly matched but I really don't think they will be. Defending champ St. Louis is pretty much the same team as they were when they won and Vancouver while better than last year isn't quite a Stanley cup contender.

St. Louis in 6.

i think maybe 2 or 3 upsets

my i guess are for next round flames in 5 or 6 games against either van in 5 or st louis in 6 games vegas winning in 7 games flames knocking out vegas in the next round. eastern conf. mon in 7 games. carolina in 6 games. carolina vs flames in the Stanley cup. flames win the cup this year.

i did watch game 1 of jets and flames. jets went 0-7 on power play.

I'm very hopeful that the Islanders pull off the sweep today.

They've also been scoring a lot, averaging nearly 5 per game this series, so it should be enough momentum to help them win the 2nd round as well.

zanderlex : I've LOVED watching the Islanders take it to the Capitals.

I was okay with Ovechkin getting his cup finally but I want to see a new team win. I'm okay with Pittsburgh being out and Washington being close to being out.

I don't expect we will get a shock win like last year felt like but it will still be nice to not be talking about the same teams 2-3 weeks from now.

Philadelphia (1) vs Montreal (8)

Philly in 6 games.

Well, I called this one exactly. Philly won game 6 today. Not surprised. It's not that Montreal couldn't have won the series but I didn't think they had the skill to win it.
1-0

Tampa Bay (2) vs Columbus (7)

Tampa Bay in 5 games.

I knew this wasn't going to go the same way it did last time they met. Columbus wasn't the same team they were when they swept Tampa Bay last time. I think it would have gone longer if they had won the 5OT game but when they lost that I didn't think they would recover.

2-0

Washington (3) vs Islanders (6)

Washington in 6 games.

This was a pleasant surprise. I'm glad the Islanders won even if it means my predictions were wrong. I honestly thought Washington would do better than they did. I'm glad to see the Islanders moving on. They've got a good young team that I hope gets to the conference finals at least.

2-1

Boston (4) vs Carolina (5)

Boston in 6 games.

Missed this one by 1 game so I'm taking the win on it . I was pretty sure that Boston hadn't put it's best effort into the round robin games but would come out and be serious about winning the real playoff games. I'm also glad that Tampa and Boston face each other so that one of the 2 don't have a shot at the finals.

3-1

Vegas (1) vs Chicago (8)

Vegas in 6 games.

Another one I missed by a game so I'm taking a win. Not a surprise here either. I think Chicago has some good up and coming pieces that make me believe they'll be better next year. Just weren't enough to take on Vegas though.

4-1

Colorado (2) vs Arizona (7)

Colorado in 5 games.

Got this one exactly. Colorado might be the scariest team in the West right now. I wouldn't want to have to take them on. Arizona didn't really stand a chance.

5-1

Dallas (3) vs Calgary (6)

Calgary in 6.

Obviously sad about this one. Losing Tkachuk really hurt Calgary this time around. I think they would have won if he had been able to stay in but you can't force someone with a concussion to play anymore. Better for the players but sucks for the team. Not sure if there will be a big shake-up or not because there are quite a few contracts ending this summer but I think something needs to change.

5-2

St. Louis (4) vs Vancouver (5)

St. Louis in 5.

I'm watching this game right now and it's 4-0 at the end of the 2nd period so unless they have a Toronto level meltdown in the 3rd period this series is going to Vancouver in 6. Totally missed this one. I didn't think Vancouver had the team to take on last years champs. I knew Vancouver was getting better but I didn't think they were this good. It'll be interesting to see how they do against Vegas in the next round.

5-3

Not too bad for the first real round. These weren't tough predictions honestly but I was happy with how I did. Once Vancouver wins and I've had some time to look at the matchups I'll do my 2nd round predictions.

Predictions for round 2 of the NHL playoffs. This will go much faster than the last prediction post.

Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs. New York Islanders (6)

This is a tough call. If the Islanders hadn't just beaten the Capitals so decisively I would say Flyers in 5 or 6 games but the Islanders played really well against the Capitals.

If I had to pick between the 2 I would probably go with Islanders. I'd rather see them win than Philly. I'm not a huge fan of Philly. I don't hate them like I used to but I'd be okay if they lost.

Islanders in 7 games.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. Boston Bruins (4)

I think this series is going to be amazing. I see these 2 teams as the real juggernauts of the East. Sure Philly played well in the round robin but in a 7 game series I don't know if they can beat either of these teams.

As for my pick, it's going to be more about the team I want to see lose than the one I want to see win.

Lightning in 6.

Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)

While I've been impressed with the Canucks I think this is the end of their playoffs. I don't see how they can match up against Vegas. However, I felt the same way when they played St. Louis and they beat them pretty soundly.

Still, I can't go against my instinct.

Vegas in 6.

Colorado Avalanche (2) vs. Dallas Stars (3)

I think Colorado is by far the best team in the West. Dallas has been quite good this year but I don't see them winning. They will be the rougher of the two teams but I see Colorado pushing through and still winning in spite of that.

Colorado in 6.

There you go. Those are my predictions. Overall I think I'm 8 for 16 (5 of 8 right in the first round and 3 of 8 right in the prelim round). Hopefully I can keep improving my % in this round.

You know it's too bad that I was on a sabbatical from this site in the Spring of 2011 or I could have posted about the NHL's return to Winnipeg, and how for the first time ever I would be excited for the upcoming season

So much for following the playoffs and keeping up to date on that.

I edited the thread again because it's easier than getting it closed and making a new one.

At least we have the 2021 season to look forward to coming up. I think Jan 16th is when the first games happen. I am hopeful that this season will be a bit more normal even if it is shortened.

What I heard was that some teams will have attendance and then later on the hope is that there will be fans before the end of the season, which would be cool. I really want to go another Islanders game at Barclays Center before they move, since I'll never go there for Basketball.

Well I'm looking forward to this season finally starting (even though I haven't been to a game in 5 years, but that's not happening til I can lose some noticeable weight) since Canadian teams are only facing themselves this season it'll be interesting to see where things go. I'm looking forward to seeing Paul Stastny wearing the Jets logo again

Hockey season at last, (well it starts for me today, to me it doesn't start until The Jets play)

UGH How could the Jets management do this to us, Laine was still useful. I'm sure Pierre Luc-Dubois is a good player but....LAINE WAS STILL USEFUL!!

classgame : Laine was leaving - whether it was today or at a later date he said he was gone.

At least they got pretty good value for him. Dubois is going to be a good player. Maybe not the 40 goal scorer that Laine can be but still a solid 60+ point player.

So far I'm liking what the Islanders have been doing. 3-1 is a good start and I'm also loving Semyon Varlamov who's probably the main reason they're winning as he's allowed just 1 goal in those 3 wins combined.

well the playoffs are happening

Who had the Jets being 2 and 0 against Edmonton on their playoffs Bingo card?

now you will have to stop me if you've heard this one: The jets sweeping the Oilers in 4 games, in 3 OTs, and last night's game going into Triple Overtime....ending at one in the morning.....we are never parting with Kyle Frickin Connor. A 31 year demon being exorcised