Once again, this year exposes the flaws of the current Stanley Cup playoff format. Everyone knows the current format is dumb, including a bunch of people associated with the NHL, yet no one seems to care enough to change it. As a result, we'll have a first round series between the second- and fourth-best teams in the East, with the No. 1 seed awaiting the winner. Meanwhile, No. 5 plays No. 6, with one guaranteed to advance.
Out West, it's not nearly as bad. Although, Nashville and Winnipeg are the top two teams, so we could end up with the same situation in both conferences...where the two best teams end up playing in the conference semifinals. I have a feeling this issue is going to keep creeping up every year until the NHL finally does something about it.
I also have no idea why they're showing some of the first round games on Golf Channel, which does seem like an odd selection. Although, as people asked me about it and I got a chance to think about it, it's not totally crazy. Golf Channel has a higher distribution than NHL Network, and they needed an overflow channel, which is probably why they wanted to keep NHL Network free.
It obviously shows the pecking order of first round series, too, that the Lightning-Devils and Ducks-Sharks series are the ones that will be moving around. It doesn't really surprise me, either. Penguins-Flyers and Bruins-Leafs are obviously the two marquee series, and Knights-Kings is going to be a whole lot of fun. And, since that series will be entirely on the west coast, you pretty much knew every game would be on NBCSN.
OK, time for the predictions. Pittsburgh is the two-time defending champions and will certainly be a tough out. The Penguins aren't the best team in the East, though. That's a toss up between Rangers South and Boston. And, the pressure's finally off Washington. Which might mean this is the year they finally get by Pittsburgh and reach the Conference Final.
The Predators, meanwhile, might've won the President's Trophy, but they know their road back to the Stanley Cup Final is full of potential pitfalls. And if anybody knows about winning on the road in the playoffs, it's them. They were the No. 16 seed of the 16 playoff teams last season and made it all the way to Game 6 of the final despite never having home ice.
As for everybody's favorite expansion team, I don't think we can call them that anymore. Vegas is a playoff team. And as great as their regular season was, playoff hockey's an entirely different animal. They might've won the Pacific going away (and will face a division opponent in each of the first two rounds), but it's a lot to ask to think they'll advance through three rounds of playoffs. Although, none of us thought they'd be a playoff team, so...
Heading back to the East, Rangers South vs. Devils is probably the most one-sided series of the eight. Tampa Bay is simply much too strong. The Devils might get one game, but they're not getting four. Lightning in five. The Original Six matchup between Boston and Toronto, meanwhile is arguably the best first-round series. The last time they met in the playoffs, the Bruins had that crazy Game 7 comeback to win the series and eventually get all the way to the Final. If this year's series is half as good, we're in for a treat. Give the Leafs another year and they'll be really good. But for now, I'm taking Boston. Bruins in seven.
Washington's never had an issue with the first round. It's the second round that's the problem. I don't think that'll be any different this season against Columbus. While those Metropolitan teams were battling for the wild card spots, Washington was cruising to another division title. That rest will prove to be a big difference. As will the fact that the Capitals are the better team. Capitals in six. And how about those Philadelphia Flyers? They needed to beat the Rangers on the last day to get in, and they not only did it, they ended up third in the division, which is both good and bad. They don't have to leave Pennsylvania, but they have to play the Penguins. Pittsburgh's a much better matchup for Philly than either Tampa Bay or Washington would've been, though. I'll take the Penguins, but it'll be a grind. Penguins in six.
Nashville had the type of regular season in 2017-18 that many expected out of them in 2016-17. Can the Predators keep it going in the playoffs? A first-round matchup against the Avalanche should provide them with a good warm-up for the intensity of the next two rounds (just to get back to the Final). Predators in five. Minnesota-Winnipeg isn't receiving nearly as much fanfare as it should. But this Border Battle features two really strong teams who are both outside Cup contenders. The Jets might be the most unheralded good team in hockey. Except they're inexperienced at this level. Minnesota, on the other hand, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight season and looking to get out of the first round for the first time since 2015. I see a lot of overtimes in this series, including in the Game 6 clincher. Wild in six.
In the Pacific Division, we've got Vegas vs. LA in the Golden Knights' maiden playoff voyage. The Kings are like the hockey version of the San Francisco Giants. They either miss the playoffs entirely or make a deep run (including a pair of Cups). Don't be surprised to see the Kings take this one the distance. But I do think Vegas will keep this wild ride going for at least one more round. Golden Knights in seven. Anaheim had its five-year run of division titles snapped by the Golden Knights. Which could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Ducks, who have a terrible habit of losing Game 7's. Of course, they have to with San Jose first. The Sharks aren't as good as their Western Conference championship team of two years ago, but they'll give the Ducks all they can handle. Ducks in six.
Even though I think Tampa Bay is the best team, my pick for who'll end up playing for Lord Stanley's Cup is Bruins vs. Predators. And I've got Boston lifting the hardware after the two long, grueling months of playoff hockey concludes.
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