NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Report
A dream that starts on backyard rinks all over Canada, in the United States and across the world. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here!
One of the hardest trophies to win in sports, the Stanley Cup Playoffs is about who can outlast the other teams. It takes heart, courage, guts and a little luck to win it all and next week we will see it all unfold.
I used to get goosebumps when this announcement came on the TV. “ The following is a live presentation of CBC Sports!” It meant that we were about to witness something incredible and timeless, sixteen teams about to go to war. All the talk is over, everyone gets to see who the real teams are and which teams don’t have what it takes.
So with that, here are the first round predictions for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins
Out of all the match-ups the Bruins could’ve had I think this one is probably the most troublesome for them. The Panthers are big, can score from multiple lines and have been a sleeping giant for most of the year. Also they have a rookie goalie in Alex Lyon. What that could add up to is a tough series for the Bruins.
Obviously Boston is a juggernaut, winning the most games in NHL history and having the most points in NHL history. But that also means that anything less than winning the Stanley Cup would be a failure. You only become one of the greatest teams of all time if you win it all. Otherwise you’re just another team with an impressive record on a shelf with a lot of other “almost great” teams.
Boston in Six
New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina again looks like they might be in for a long run in the Playoffs and then their best player Andrei Svechnikov is done for the season with a torn ACL. Now they have depth and are more than just one player but that was a big blow. If the Islanders can get the Hurricanes to play their style of hockey (trap the speedy forwards and wait for an odd man rush) this could be a boring and low scoring series. If however the Canes can make the Islanders play their game of fast and loose they have a chance to beat New York.
Carolina in Seven
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Just like last year the Leafs are in tough in the first round of the Playoffs. The Lightning are battle tested, smart and have the best goalie (for the playoffs) in Andrei Vasilevsky. Toronto is going to have to stay out of the fight (see Corey Perry) and play their fast, transitional style of play that made them hard to beat in the regular season. After going to three back to back finals the Lightning have looked tired all season and have had some blow up games. I think Toronto will finally make it to the next round and be able kick the Lightning to the curb.
Toronto in Six
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
Talk about series that could be amazing or boring as wall paper paste. The Rangers have amazing talent, size and a great goalie. The younger Devils have the speed to over power the Rangers but I don’t know if they want to play that way knowing the Rangers can match them in goals. My concern is that New Jersey will back off and allow the Rangers to come to them and be defense first and attack second. Which means both teams will get bogged down in the trenches and have very low scoring games if that happens.
New York has the advantage in net in that scenario as well in Igor Shesterkin. If they play smart hockey the Rangers should be able to take this series, but this will be a close series if they make lots of mistakes.
Rangers in Six
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs Vegas Golden Knights
All you have to do is make it into the playoffs to have a chance. This series is that to a tee. The Jets all year looked like they have had no identity and just meader around like a bunch of individuals trying to get by on their skill alone. But this team is built for the playoffs and could be trouble for the Knights if a couple of players wake up. Mostly I’m talking about Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, but also Conner Hellebuyck who if he goes on a hot streak could save their season and make it to the next round.
That being said Vegas is no easy win for the Jets, they have a speed, size and skill advantage over Winnipeg and even with their captain Mark Stone out for the year have won the Western Conference. Johnathan Quick who got dumped by the only team he’s ever played for the L.A Kings get a chance at revenge and you know he wants to show the Kings they made a mistake trading him.
Vegas in Six
Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche
The Stanley Cup Champs start their title defence against the Kraken. A team that has surprised a lot of people and are making a name for themselves in the NHL. They will have a lot of deal with in this series and I just don’t see how they will contain any of the threats the Avs have. Nathan Mackinnon for starters ended off the regular season with a hat trick and wants to show that last year was no fluke.
The Kraken I think won’t make it easy for Colorado but they have so many weapons that they will be overwhelmed. It’s a good first step for them and will give the fans in Seattle a chance to see playoff hockey. How much they will see remains to be seen.
Colorado in Five
Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars
This in my opinion will be one of the most violent series in these playoffs. The Wild always seem to play with a chip on their shoulder and I think it’s because no one thinks they will do anything in the playoffs. They have the size to really hurt you in the corners and the skill to score on the powerplay. Dallas is no slouch either with the size and skill to match Minnesota I think this one will come down to who can outlast the punishment they are both going to give each other.
Dallas in Seven
Los Angles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
This series also has potential to be a great battle for the ages. Last year these teams went seven games and the Oilers won in the seventh game. If Edmonton can keep their hot streak going and get lots of powerplays they could make this a short series. But if the Kings use their size and match the Oilers speed they have a chance to stay in this series and make it a coin flip.
One of the big question marks for the Oilers is goaltending. Skinner looks like he will be their number one and if he plays like he has for the last month they will have a chance to go far. But if the Kings can rattle the young netminder and get some weak goals on him L.A. has the potential to win this series.
Oilers in Six
So there you have it the first round predictions are in and I can’t wait for the playoffs to start tomorrow! Leave a comment and be part of the discussion.
See you in the second round.
Joseph
