OK, I have been hiding all year, but am back to give you my predictions for the upcoming 2019 NHL playoffs. So, let’s get to it!
Any upsets? Maybe – depends on what you consider an upset. A team on a roll going into the playoffs and facing an opponent with more points but staggered to the finish line might not be an upset. Know what I mean?
So, let’s start in the West.
Calgary vs Colorado – should be no contest for Johnny hockey and company. Flames in 5, maybe 6.
Nashville vs Dallas – Preds in 4. Too good a team, too deep for Stars.
San Jose vs Vegas – interesting series. LV went to the finals last year, and every series I had their opponent to win. This year? Sharks are pretty healthy and have a dynamite power play – especially with Burns and Karlsson. Both teams have very good top 6 forwards. Might come down to Gibson – so, Sharks in 6.
Winnipeg and St Louis – too bad one has to play golf sooner than the other. Winnipeg on paper should be a western conference finalist – but really struggled down the stretch. St Louis, quite the opposite. Only Tampa Bay has more points since January 1 then the Blues. If Big Buff and Morrissey don’t get healthy enough to play, this could be over early. I like momentum, so Blues (if that is an upset) in 6.
In the East:
Tampa vs Columbus– what can you say about the Lightning. Finished first overall – by a mile. Scored the most goals – by a mile. Have 7 players with 20 or more goals (tied with Leafs and Capitals). Great goaltending, big D, deep D. Tough to bet against them. Columbus – are going ‘all in’. Have mortgaged their future for 2019. Loaded up at the trade deadline – Duchene and Dzingel. Top 6 forwards on Blue Jackets can match up against any in the NHL – and have a rising star Josh Anderson (in the mold of Tom Wilson on Capitals). Still – we are talking freaking Tampa. So, no upset here. Tampa in 5.
Washington vs. Carolina– kudos on Carolina and their Storm Surge – good to see you get into the playoffs after a 10-year hiatus. A solid one two punch in net – very solid D and finally some scoring up front from a couple of Fins in Aho and Teravainen. (Can’t wait for the call – Williams scores from Faulk and Aho. Get it?? Faulk’n Aho?). but let’s get serious – these are the defending Stanley Cup champs. Too much OV and company up front, including Wilson. So, Caps in 5.
Pittsburgh vs. New York Islanders. Pitt added a few good pieces at the deadline to give them a good top 9 forwards. Letang is healthy (don’t hold your breath) and they still have Sid (100-point man) and Malkin, and Kessell always seems to put up 20 points in the playoffs – so one last kick at the can?? Islanders may have something to say about that. The only team to allow fewer than 200 goals in the NHL – yup! The well-coached Tavares-less Islanders. And who knows Washington better then Trotz?? A good top 6 forwards, and decent goaltending. But……. I don’t think they have enough. So, Pens in 6
There you have it. Should be exciting to see what new stars emerge . . . . . . pardon? what? Did I forget someone? Oh ya – my beloved Leafers. And the dreaded Bruins. Almost like teams going in opposite directions. Top Bruin line with the rat Marchant is as good as any in the NHL. Bruins added some good depth at forward at the trade deadline – and with a decent D, this should be over in 6. But-we are talking about the Leafs here. Will this go to 7 games AGAIN? Only if the top Leaf forwards (hello Matthews) show up. Marner and JT have been good all year. Nylander – don’t know if he will ever show up. And D? Never thought I would rejoice the day when Gardiner was in the lineup, but with zero depth – thank God he is back. The only way the Leafs win is if Freddie stands on his head and Matthews is the best player on the ice. Other than that – Bruins in 6.
This is Sparky signing off for now– see you next round.
