Who would have thought we’d get to this point…
It’s down to 16 teams in the NHL, and the stakes just got a little higher. So here’s my first round predictions.
East:
Phi/MTl – Flyers (-220) sweep. Montreal’s run was fun, but Philly is buzzing and no way the French Canadiens can stop them. Hart vs Price is must watch hockey though.
TBL/CBJ – Columbus (+190) in seven. Tampa isn’t a playoff team, and until they prove me wrong I’ll stick to it. Torts has his boys rolling and they’ll be firing early.
WSH/NYI – Sorry Trotz, shouldn’t have left. Caps (-145) take this one in seven. I like how Holtby has looked and I think he can outplay Varlamov.
BOS/CAR – Boston is still Boston. Bruins (-160) in six. Carolina is a great story, but they’re not a great team just yet.
West:
VGK/CHI – I’m going off the rails here, but I think the Hawks (+260) core has one last kick at the can, so I’m picking them in six.
Col/Ari – I love the Yotes, but they don’t stand a chance. Avs (-300) in 5. They’re just too damn fast for Arizona to handle.
Dal/CGY – This is must watch hockey. Two evenly matched teams that have some sandpaper in their lineup. Dallas is a little banged up right now, so I will take the Flames (-105) in 6, but I’d love to see a game seven overtime here.
STL/Van – Love the Canucks young guns, but the fun stops now. Minnesota gave Vancouver a run for their money and that says enough for me. Blues (-210) finish them off in six.
CJ
@WorldHockeyRPT
Photo credit – @NHLFlames (Twitter)
