Stanley Cup Preview 2022

For the first time in three years, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are taking place at a normal-ish time.  It won't be until next season that the league is completely back on schedule, but they managed to get in a full, 82-game season even with a midseason COVID pause.  And they finished exactly when they expected to...at the end of April.  Which means we'll see the Cup awarded sometime in June.

We've known the Stanley Cup playoff field in the East since pretty much the All*Star Break (if not before that).  Those eight teams have spent the last two months jockeying for positioning.  And, frankly, I can see any of the eight in the Final.  In the West, meanwhile, Colorado is the team to beat.  The Avalanche are the best team in hockey, and it isn't even close.  I know the Panthers won the President's Trophy.  So what?  They aren't better than Colorado.

In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if Florida loses to Washington in the first round.  I wouldn't be surprised to see either East wild card win actually.  That's the beauty of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!  For as predictable as the NBA Playoffs are (the higher-seeded team won all eight first round series), the Stanley Cup Playoffs are never what you expect!

With that in mind, I'm actually having a really hard time picking the Eastern Conference team to face Colorado for the Cup.  I do know that I think it won't be Florida, and I'm not sure Tampa Bay can make it three in a row.  I also have a really hard time going against the Lightning, though. 

My prediction will probably change each round, as a matter of fact.  So, I might be better off doing this round-by-round.  In the West, I think I've got a pretty good idea of what'll happen in the first round.  In the East, though?  Not so much!

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Panthers vs. Capitals: Remember a few years ago, when Tampa Bay won the President's Trophy, then got swept in the first round by Columbus?  I wouldn't be completely shocked to see the same thing happen again here.  Maybe I should give the Panthers more credit, though.  They not only won the President's Trophy, they finished first in a division that included three other powerhouse teams.  And Washington, really, was inconsistent.  To pull off the upset, the Capitals need a healthy Ovechkin.  Even with him, it'll be tough.  Florida in six.

Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: Will this be the year when Toronto finally wins a playoff series?  The Leafs have been the poster children for playoff disappointment.  The Lightning, meanwhile, haven't lost a playoff series since 2019.  And starting on the road won't faze the two-time defending champs at all.  They've got a very realistic chance to three-peat.  They've also got a very realistic chance of losing in the first round if the Leafs finally play like they do in the regular season during a playoff series.  Although, it's more likely they lose Game 7 at home yet again.  Tampa Bay in seven.

Hurricanes vs. Bruins: Boston is a very dangerous wild card team.  And Carolina should be very leery of them.  This will not be an easy series for the Hurricanes.  Carolina should manage to survive it, though.  Because the Hurricanes are a better team than the Bruins.  And if Carolina plays well, they'll be a very, very tough team to beat.  If they don't, though, Boston's more than capable of winning this series.  Carolina in five.

Rangers vs. Penguins: The Rangers were fighting the Hurricanes for the Metro Division title for most of the season, but I was hoping they'd finish second, mainly because of the matchup.  This is the matchup I wanted to see.  And it's one I feel really good about.  This is the Rangers' first trip to the playoffs in a few years (not counting the 2020 bubble), but they're equipped to make a run because they've got Igor Shesterkin.  They also play incredibly well at home, which is why finishing second in the division and getting that extra home game was so important.  Because Game 7 will be at Madison Square Garden instead of in Pittsburgh, which could definitely make a difference.  Rangers in seven.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Avalanche vs. Predators: I was watching the end of the Nashville-Arizona game last night, knowing that it would determine the last two playoff matchups in the West.  The Predators lost to the Coyotes, which means they have to play the Avalanche in the first round.  Had they won and gotten Calgary, they'd actually have a chance.  Against Colorado, they don't.  If you're looking for a series that has the potential to be a sweep, this might be your best bet.  Colorado in four.

Wild vs. Blues: When they met in the Winter Classic, who would've expected they'd meet again in the first round of the playoffs?  And who would've figured it would be Minnesota who'd have the home ice in that series?  Frankly, I don't think that'll matter too much, though.  Because St. Louis has the playoff experience, which is far more valuable.  The Blues also have the better individual players.  Guys who are capable of single-handedly taking over a game (or a series) the way Jordan Kyrou did outdoors at Target Field.  St. Louis in six.

Flames vs. Stars: Like Florida, I have a lot of questions about Calgary.  Mainly, can the Flames follow up their tremendous regular season with a postseason run?  They sure to have the tools to do it, but they certainly would've preferred the Nashville matchup.  Don't forget, Dallas played in the Stanley Cup Final not even two years ago.  And they've got most of those pieces back.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Dallas pull the upset here.  Dallas in six.

Oilers vs. Kings: If not for Toronto, Edmonton would be the Canadian team known for its playoff disappointments.  Seriously, how can a team that has players like McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and all that other talent continually falter in the postseason?  Eventually they have to win a series.  Right?  This might finally be the time.  Credit to the Kings for making the playoffs and eliminating Vegas for the first time in the Knights' history.  I'm not sure they have enough to beat the Oilers, though.  Especially if that kid is in the building.  Edmonton in five.

Even though I already said I like Colorado in the West and have no idea in the East, I still feel like I should give a Stanley Cup Final prediction, if only to get something on record and see how wrong I was.  So I'm gonna go with Carolina.  I just have a feeling about the Hurricanes.  Which gives us a Stanley Cup Final between weather events, with the Avalanche topping the Hurricanes.