Imagine a world where the NHL conducted its playoffs like March Madness.

If the NHL playoffs started on March 19, 2021, and it was single-elimination, who would win the Stanley Cup? For this simulation, we’ll include all 31 NHL teams in a 1 vs. 8 format with re-seeding (March Madness doesn’t re-seed). Playoff seeds are accurate as of March 19, 2021.

MassMutual East Division

Round One

1. Capitals vs. 8. Sabres 

In a single elimination tournament you don’t need to play your best consistently to win. The Sabres’ lineup is loaded with offensive talent, including Jack Eichel, Taylor Hall, Rasmus Dahlin and Jeff Skinner. If they can show up for 60 minutes, they can beat the Capitals in round one.

2. Islanders vs. 7. Devils

The Islanders recently beat the Devils in three straight meetings, even without Anders Lee, J-G Pageau and Noah Dobson in the final matchup. They have playoff experience too, unlike the Devils. They would win in the opening round.

3. Penguins vs. 6. Rangers

Here’s another example of a lower seed whose lineup is loaded with talent. The Rangers scored seven goals in the second period against the Flyers on March 17, proving that they can score at will. Even if they don’t get seven, a good performance from Igor Shesterkin can give them the victory against Pittsburgh.

4. Bruins vs. 5. Flyers

The Bruins’ “perfection line” of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron can carry the Bruins to a win against any team. The Flyers are no exception. They haven’t had good defense and goaltending this season. Expect the Bruins’ top line to exploit this weakness.

Round 2

2. Islanders vs. 8. Sabres

The Islanders can win games on defense alone. If it shows up against a potent Sabres offense, they’ll win convincingly, as we already saw six times this season.

4. Bruins vs. 6. Rangers

The Bruins and Rangers are both well-rounded teams on paper. Even in the randomness of single-elimination, I’d give the Bruins the benefit of the doubt and send them to the Eastern Conference Final

Round Three

2. Islanders vs. 4. Bruins

In a seven game series, I’d predict an Islanders win. However, a player, or a line, can steal a game in this kind of tournament. The Bruins would beat the Islanders and advance to the Final Four.

Discover Central Division

Round One

1. Lightning vs. 8. Red Wings

The Lightning are one of the best teams on paper and the Red Wings are one of the worst. Even in a best-of-seven, I’d predict a Lightning sweep. Barring a miracle, that’s the case here too.

2. Panthers vs. 7. Stars

Don’t forget that the Stars have played the least games in the NHL so far. Their points percentage should actually give them a much higher seed in the tournament. They can definitely pull off the upset.

3. Hurricanes vs. 6. Predators

The Hurricanes are one of the most underrated teams in the NHL, and playing in a weaker division has proved that to the league. The Predators have struggled mightily this season and the Hurricanes should cruise past their first round foe.

4. Blackhawks vs. 5. Blue Jackets

In my opinion, bad coaching has really hurt the Blue Jackets this season. They should be much better than their record suggests. It will be tough to beat Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks, but I’ll pin them as a first-round upset.

Round Two

1. Lightning vs. 7. Stars

In a rematch of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, I predict a similar result. The Stars’ point percentage should give them a higher seed, but it’s not enough to beat the Lightning.

3. Hurricanes vs. 5. Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets upset the offensively potent Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers. The Hurricanes pose a stiff challenge, but the Blue Jackets have the talent to pull off yet another upset in this mock March Madness NHL bracket.

Round Three

1. Lightning vs. 5. Blue Jackets

Even though they pulled off back-to-back upsets (and even upset the Lightning in 2019), the Lightning have too much talent and are too well-rounded to underestimate, even in a single-elimination tournament. The 2020 Stanley Cup Champions advance to the Final Four of our March Madness NHL tournament.

Scotia North Division

Round One

1. Maple Leafs receive a bye.

2. Oilers vs. 7. Senators

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can will the Oilers to a win against any team in the league. That’s the case against the last-place Senators as well.

3. Jets vs. 6. Flames

The Flames look like a new team with coach Darryl Sutter at the helm. They are also loaded with talent, have a solid defensive core and decent goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck would have to carry the Jets to a win.

4. Canadiens vs. 5. Canucks

Even though the Canucks have been on the rise lately, the Canadiens are built for a deep playoff run and can beat the Canucks in the first round.

Round Two

1. Maple Leafs vs. 6. Flames

A single elimination tournament might be what the Leafs need to win a playoff round. They get a favorable matchup against the Flames and their offensively potent lineup can surely beat them.

2. Oilers vs. 4. Canadiens

Just as McDavid can win a game on his own, so can Carey Price. The Oilers lineup isn’t too deep, and a strong performance from the Canadiens can propel them against Edmonton.

Round Three

1. Maple Leafs vs. 4. Canadiens 

If the NHL playoffs started today, this would be a first round matchup. Even in a best-of-seven, I’d pick the Canadiens for the same reason they’d beat Edmonton and because of their stout defense.

Honda West Division

Round One

1. Golden Knights vs. 8. Ducks

The Golden Knights have an incredibly deep lineup, and Marc-Andre Fleury has put himself back in the Vezina Trophy conversation for the league’s best goalie. They should make quick work of the Ducks.

2. Avalanche vs. 7. Sharks

It took a while, but the Avalanche finally found their game. The Sharks have fallen off in recent years, and lack the depth to compete with the Avalanche, both in a best-of-seven or a March Madness style NHL playoffs.

3. Wild vs. 6. Coyotes

The Wild have arguably been the biggest surprise in the NHL this season. The Coyotes can put up a stiff challenge, but the Wild will likely survive the first round.

4. Blues vs. 5. Kings 

The Blues haven’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The Canucks beat them in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and now they’ve fallen to fourth place in the division. Drew Doughty has experienced a career resurgence this year, and he can carry the Kings to a first round victory.

Round Two

1. Golden Knights vs. 5. Kings

This would be a closer game than you might expect. The Kings are on the rise and could pose a stiff challenge to the Golden Knights. Still, Vegas would survive this second round battle.

2. Avalanche vs. 3. Wild

Even though the Wild are red hot, the Avalanche are too. What sets them apart is the Avalanche’s depth on both offense and defense. They’d beat the Wild in this tournament.

Round Three

1. Golden Knights vs. 2. Avalanche

This division needs more upsets. The Avalanche would help that by defeating the Golden Knights in the division final. Their star talent on both offense and defense should put them over the top and send them to the Final Four.

Final Four

Lightning vs. Bruins

In a best-of-seven, I’d give this matchup to Tampa. But in single elimination, the Bruins’ perfection line can steal them a game. I think they would do that against the Lightning.

Avalanche vs. Canadiens

Before the Avalanche moved to Denver, they played in Québec City and were arch rivals with the Canadiens. The Avalanche would prevail in this matchup, and would move on to the Final.

Championship: Bruins vs.  Avalanche

The Bruins and Avalanche are two terrific teams. Both have high-end talent, strong defense and good goaltending. I love watching Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and I think those two would lead the Avalanche to victory in our March Madness NHL bracket.