2022 Stanley Cup playoffs thread

The Kraken and Jets are playing out the string today in Winnipeg, but it's time to turn the page to the best playoffs in sports.

EAST
A1 Florida vs. WC2 Washington
A2 Toronto vs. A3 Tampa Bay
M1 Carolina vs. WC1 Boston
M2 N.Y. Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh

WEST
C1 Colorado vs. WC2 Nashville
C2 Minnesota vs. C3 St. Louis
P1 Calgary vs. WC1 Dallas
P2 Edmonton vs. P3 Los Angeles

Quick predictions:
Florida in 6
Tampa in 6
Carolina in 7
Rangers in 5
Colorado in 5
Minnesota in 7
Calgary in 6
Los Angeles in 7

 

Avs sweep. Book it. Saros out with a high ankle sprain.

 

Mods, I agree with you, but I picked a second win out of dumb fandom. Also, I think Florida is vulnerable to lose a game or two but not to lose the series.

 

EAST
A1 Florida vs. WC2 Washington - Maybe if Ovechkin comes back they win game 3 in DC. Otherwise, they're toast. Panthers in 5.
A2 Toronto vs. A3 Tampa Bay - Toronto's gift of self-sabotage is legendary, but I'm getting some serious 'out of gas' vibes from this Lightning group, at least in the short term. Leafs in 5.
M1 Carolina vs. WC1 Boston - This series will be a slobberknocker because every playoff series Boston has played in has been a slobberknocker in the last 10 years. Canes break through in the end. Canes in 7.
M2 N.Y. Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh - This might be Sid's last best chance at a Cup. He's got three, so I'm not going to feel too bad for the bastard, but I think the Rangers aren't quite ready. Pens in 6.

WEST
C1 Colorado vs. WC2 Nashville - Sutter was right, especially if Saros is hurt. Avs sweep.
C2 Minnesota vs. C3 St. Louis - I'm in Minnesota. The irrational exuberance is very high. They haven't played well against St. Louis this year. Probably comes down to goaltending, at least two overtime games and some fluky bounces. Wild in 7.
P1 Calgary vs. WC1 Dallas - Calgary has won exactly one seven-game playoff series since the 2005 lockout. I think they're suspicious but not against this Dallas team. Flames in 6.
P2 Edmonton vs. P3 Los Angeles - Edmonton probably has more #narrative than even the Leafs but less publicity. That said, this LA team screams just happy to be here. Oilers in 6.

Semifinals
Florida vs. Toronto: There's gonna be some 6-4 games in this series. I actually like the Leafs' defense and goaltending more. Leafs in 6.
Carolina vs. Pittsburgh: Could go either way. I think I'm going to ride with the Canes this year. Canes in 7.
Colorado vs. Minnesota: This will break their hearts but unless Colorado is still broke from ending the season on cruise control, this won't be close. Avs in 5.
Calgary vs. Edmonton: Canada is going to wet itself over this series, and no one in the states will care. Oilers in 6.

Conference finals:
Toronto vs. Carolina: This is the Leafs after all. I hope they have David Ayres drop the first puck. Canes in 5.
Colorado vs. Edmonton: This is the Oilers after all. Avs in 5.

Stanley Cup Final: It breaks this childhood Red Wings' fans heart, but this tournament is Colorado's to lose. Avs in 5, Mikko Rantanen is Conn Smythe.

 

I think a lot of people are down on the Canes in that matchup because the Bruins bounced them in 2019 and 2020. Some of those pieces (Marchand, Bergeron) are still there but some of them (Rask) aren't. Boston finished fourth in the division for a reason. I think they'll make it tough but Carolina will outlast them.

Most of my picking against the Rangers is based on a belief that Pittsburgh is overdue, but maybe the Rangers are ready. That's probably going to be one of those series that turns on one or two overtime games. Also, I didn't pick any other first round upsets and that seemed the most palatable.

My main dispute against Calgary is Edmonton. If they get momentum or confidence, look out. And playing an LA team that, on pure talent, is probably the weakest team in the bracket feels like a great runway for the Oilers to get up to speed and finally meet some of their potential. Also, this Calgary group has stumbled in this situation before.

 

The Pittsburgh net situation is a problem unless Jarry is on track to return, and I was under the impression that he’d miss significant time.

 

Blue tells Don Cherry to sit down.
Hossa comes out of retirement to soul-kiss Bettman.
Nashville gets the hardware.
Y'all can go home now.

 

I’m 2.5 minutes into the playoffs and I’m already yelling at that flipping frozen puck transition graphic by ESPN.