The NHL season came to a screeching halt in early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With most teams having 10-15 games left, the regular season has yet to be completed. If the 2019-20 season is to return, it will either forego the rest of the regular season, or play out the remaining games in a four city format. If the league decides to skip to the postseason, the NHL would choose the teams that make it based on points percentage rather than point totals. This levels out the chances for some teams who may not have played as many games as others. Below are our Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions.
Quarterfinals:

New York Islanders (WC2) vs Boston Bruins (A1):
The Islanders were stumbling down the stretch and were on a 7-game losing streak as the season was paused. If play never stopped the Isles would have most likely missed the playoffs. The Bruins on the other hand are the best team in the league and will most likely win the Presidents’ Trophy. The Islanders would get some players back from injury and will put up a good fight against Boston but the Bruins are too much to handle.

Prediction: BOS wins in 6 games

Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (A2):
For the first time in 3 years the Maple Leafs will not have to face the Boston Bruins in the first round. The Leafs have actually had a decent season despite the media portraying the opposite. Sure, production is down from captain John Tavares and the defense has struggled but the Maple Leafs are still in a playoff spot. The Lightning have bounced back from a slow start to the season to find themselves with a home ice advantage in the first round. After an embarrassing exit last year (swept by CBJ in the first round) the Bolts will look to reverse that result with a chip on their shoulder. A team with that much star-power has the ability to go deep in the playoffs and now without the pressure of having won the Presidents’ Trophy. Toronto’s high-flying offense will make this series close but I think Tampa is better all around and will pull out the win.

Prediction: TBL wins in 6 games

Carolina Hurricanes (WC1) vs Washington Capitals (M1):
This series is an interesting one. The Capitals and Hurricanes faced off in the first round last year, with the Canes winning in 7 games. Both teams have the same seed as they did last year when they played. Even though Carolina won the series last year, the Capitals are a more superior team this year and I think will handle the Hurricanes easily.

Prediction: WSH wins in 5 games

Pittsburgh Penguins (M3) vs Philadelphia Flyers (M2):
The Battle of Pennsylvania. This will be the best quarterfinal match-up by far. Its always a hard fought, high-energy, aggressive series when these 2 teams go head to head. Philadelphia was on fire down the stretch and came close to taking the top spot in the Metropolitan division. The pause gave them a disadvantage by ending their long win streak. The Penguins have quietly been consistent all-year round even after Sidney Crosby missed a large portion of games. The Pens went out easily last season after being swept by the Islanders in round one. I think this series will go the distance and can go either way but Pittsburgh has more playoff experience and always gets it done in the postseason.

Prediction: PIT wins in 7 games

Calgary Flames (WC2) vs St. Louis Blues (C1):
The Blues won the Stanley Cup last year and have continued that success this season leading the Western Conference. The Flames won game one of their first round series last year before losing four games in a row and being eliminated to the 8th-seeded Avalanche. Wild Card teams beating the top seeds has been more of a common trend in the last couple of seasons. I think the Stanley Cup hangover gets to the Blues and the Flames do the opposite to what happened to them last year in a hard fought series.

Prediction: CGY wins in 7 games

Dallas Stars (C3) vs Colorado Avalanche (C2):
Both of these teams reached the semifinals last year and were both eliminated in game 7. The Avalanche had a goal taken away due to a close offside call and lost, while the Stars were sent home when Pat Maroon scored an overtime winner.  The Avalanche are a superior team, and I think they will be able to defeat the Stars in a somewhat close series.

Prediction: COL wins in 6 games

Nashville Predators (WC1) vs Vegas Golden Knights (P1):
The Predators haven’t made it back to the Finals since they shocked everyone as an 8 seed in 2016-17 and have had many struggles. Their power-play has been abysmal, the offense has struggled and sometimes the defense hasn’t been its best but the Preds made it to the playoffs. Vegas made a head scratching move by firing head coach Gerard Gallant in January when they were in a wild card spot. Peter DeBoer took over and the Knights caught fire taking control of the top spot in the pacific division. I think the Golden Knights will handle the Predators easily.

Prediction: VGK wins in 5 games

Vancouver Canucks (P3) vs Edmonton Oilers (P2):
Edmonton has finally made it back to the playoffs with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way. After reaching the second round in 2017 the Oilers finally added some more depth this season to help team success. The Canucks rebuild has gone very well so far, putting them at this spot sooner than expected. They have a very young team and in my opinion will be very dangerous in the near future. Many of their players have little to no playoff experience and I think Connor McDavid will be a different animal in the playoffs. Oilers win easily.

Prediction: EDM wins in 4 games

Conference semi-finals:

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs Boston Bruins (A1):
This match-up is going to be good. Two of the leagues’ elite teams will battle it out for a spot in the conference final. After both teams won in six games, the Lightning and Bruins should be ready for another long series. In the last playoff series between these teams (2018) the Bolts came out on top, winning in five games. I expect them to do the same here.

Prediction: TBL wins in 7 games

Pittsburgh Penguins (M3) vs Washington Capitals (M1):
Crosby vs Ovechkin. Another match-up between these teams as we have seen in the playoffs so many times over the last decade. The Capitals finally got over the hump and beat the Penguins in 2018, en-route to their first Stanley Cup championship. I believe Washington has a stronger team, and Ovi is gonna want to take advantage of the few elite years he has left.

Prediction: WSH wins in 6 games

Calgary Flames (WC2) vs Colorado Avalanche (C2):
This series would be a rematch from last years quarterfinals, where Colorado won in 5 games. The Avalanche are the far superior team and I think they will continue deep in the playoffs. Calgary had the upset win in the first round but they won’t get past the Avalanche here.

Prediction: COL wins in 6 games

Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs Vegas Golden Knights (P1):
The Oilers may have more superstar talent, but the Golden Knights are more well-rounded. Vegas has a high level goalie tandem with Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner, where goaltending could be a concern in Edmonton. The Knights finish off the Oilers easily to return to the Western Conference Final.

Prediction: VGK wins in 5 games

Eastern Conference Final:

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs Washington Capitals (M1):
Tampa Bay and Washington faced off in the same scenario in 2018.  The road teams won the first four games until Tampa Bay won a decisive game 5. Then, the Capitals shut out the Bolts in games six and seven to win the series. This year is different. This year the Lightning are hungry and will win this series in a hard fought battle.

Prediction: TBL wins in 7 games

Western Conference Final:

Colorado Avalanche (C2) vs Vegas Golden Knights (P1):
The Avalanche are the younger team while the Golden Knights are the older team. They may have more experience but I think the speed and skill of the Avalanche will win this series. It will have high intensity and be back and forth but the Avalanche will go to their first finals appearance since 2001.

Prediction: COL wins in 6 games

Stanley Cup Final:

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs Colorado Avalanche (C2):
This Stanley Cup Final will not disappoint. Stars on each side like Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan Mackinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog. Tons of speed and young talent like Cale Makar. Elite goaltending from Andrej Vasilevskiy. The Lightning were tortured for a year after they got swept in the first round last year. This year they finally put it all together and bring home the Stanley Cup. It will be Tampa Bay’s first cup since 2004. The Avalanche on the other hand will play their hardest but fall short of the ultimate goal. They have a very bright future though and will be back in the finals again soon.

Prediction: TBL wins the Stanley Cup in 6 games

In conclusion, if the NHL were to return with the postseason, these playoffs predictions are a likely scenario for them to play out. All we can do is hope that NHL hockey returns soon and wait to enjoy the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

John Smark