2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Conference Finals
Western Conference:
1) Anaheim Ducks
3) Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Ducks in 6
Why?: Chicago is always good, I mentioned that in ,I believe, every other series prediction I made involving the Blackhawks. That being said, the Ducks are just rampaging their way through the playoffs sweeping Winnipeg in the first round, and having little problem with a Calgary team I thought would have been tough. I'm taking the Ducks in this series because they have looked like the best team in this postseason without question so far, but I still think the Hawks will steal a few games, because let's face it, they're the Chicago Blackhawks.
Eastern Conference:
1) New York Rangers
2) Tampa Bay Lightning
Prediction: Rangers in 7
Why?: I liked the Rangers to win the Cup coming into the playoffs this season, because they were the best team, and have a lot of great players on their team. They have been a letdown for me, as a casual fan their games have been exciting because they have ALL been decided by ONE goal. However as a guy pretending to know something about hockey they have been frustrating because I expect the best team in the NHL this season to show up and win by at least two goals one of these games. I mentioned after the first round that Tampa Bay was disappointing to me, well they were great in the conference semis after taking down Montreal in 6 games. This one has become a toss up, but I'm sticking with the Rangers, even though they may never win by multiple goals, I still think they can win 4 before they lose 4.
Keep Track of the playoffs here!
2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Round 2
Western Conference:
1) Anaheim Ducks
3) Calgary Flames
Prediction: Ducks in 7
Why?: The Ducks had the only sweep of round 1 over a Jets team that put up a fight. Calgary beat a good Vancouver team in 6 games (just as yours truly predicted) and was impressive throughout the series. The Ducks still have a talent edge and no matter how you do it, to sweep anyone in any playoff series is no easy task, the Flames will no doubt challenge the Ducks, but Anaheim will make it to the West semis this year, even after losing to last years 3 seed the LA Kings in 7.
WC) Minnesota Wild
3) Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Blackhawks in 7
Why?: Wild stayed red hot after beating the Blues in 6 games, the Blackhawks also took care of business against Nashville. I love how the Wild have been playing since mid-February when they traded for Devan Dubnyk with Arizona. However, it's the Blackhawks, and love them or hate them, they just win, especially in the playoffs. I think they have just enough to hold off the Wild and once again advance to the West finals.
Eastern Conference:
1) Montreal Canadiens
2) Tampa Bay Lightning
Prediction: Canadiens in 6
Why?: Even though they beat the always tough Red Wings in 7, Tampa just didn't seem all that impressive to me, I wanted to go Montreal in 5, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they pick up two wins, but I don't see them taking this series or seriously threaten to take it.
1) New York Rangers
2) Washington Capitals
Prediction: Rangers in 6
Why?: Rangers handled Pittsburg without too much difficulty, other than not scoring a whole lot. The Caps gutted out an impressive 7 game series win over a good Islanders squad, but as I said in my round 1 predictions; the Rangers are loaded, and they went 3-1 against Washington in the regular season. The Capitals may push the Rangers, but New York will take this series in no more than 6 games.
2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Round 1
NOTE: I am by no means a hockey expert, the playoffs are the most hockey I watch all year, I am basing these predictions off what I know of this year and past years of watching.
Western Conference:
1) Anaheim Duckswc) Winnipeg Jets
Prediction: Ducks in 5
Why?: Anahiem took the Kings 7 games last year and even had a 3-2 lead, back with one of the best records in the NHL this year the Ducks shouldn't have much of a problem reaching the West Semis again this year.
2) Vancouver Canucks
3) Calgary Flames
Prediction: Flames in 6
Why?: I'm not sure, but I do know these teams hate each other. I'm going on a limb and say Johnny Hockey and Calgary get off to a 3-2 start and finish Vancouver on their home ice.
1) St. Louis Blues
WC) Minnesota Wild
Prediciton: Wild in 6
Why?: Minnesota has been red hot to finish the year, I believe this will carry over into consecutive upsets over 1 seeds for the Wild.
2) Nashville Predators
3) Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Blackhawks in 7
Why?: Separated by only 2 points, these teams are pretty evenly matched, the Blackhawks have much more experience, having won 2 of the last 5 Stanley Cups, and made the West finals last year, they get the job done in round 1 this year.
Eastern Conference:
1) Montreal Canadians
WC) Ottawa Senators
Prediction: Canadians in 5
Why?: Last year Montreal swept Tampa Bay, and took down the Boston Bruins in 7, they know how to win in the playoffs and that's just what they do in round 1.
2) Tampa Bay Lightning
3) Detroit Red Wings
Prediction: Lightning in 6
Why?: Tampa Bay has had a great year, Detroit is always in the playoffs and they don't call themselves "hockeytown" for nothing. This year the Lightning don't get beat in round 1 and hockeytown will have to wait another year for a shot at the cup.
1) New York Rangers
WC) Pittsburg Penguins
Prediction: Rangers in 5
Why?: New York was the best team in the league this year for a reason; they got talent, and a lot of it. Not to mention they are looking to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals and this time finish the job. The duo of Crosby and Malkin are the only reason I see Pittsburg taking a game.
2) Washington Capitals
3) New York Islanders
Prediction: Islanders in 7
Why?: Both teams finished with 101 points in the same division. Both have two stars, Washington with Russian goal machine Alex Ovechkin, Islanders with John Tavares. NYI went 2-1-1 against the Caps in the regular season, that is why I give them the edge and set up and all New York semifinal.
Not a hockey expert, but I'll give my Stanley Cup prediction come playoff time.
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