NHL playoffs 2019: Four bold predictions
The Tampa Bay Lightning ran away with the NHL's best record, making them the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup. But it wouldn't be the playoffs without surprises, and the Eastern Conference could be wide open if they get tripped up. Will they get the job done?
A quick glance at the Western Conference reveals a very strong group of six teams at the top. Would anyone be surprised to see any one of the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, or Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final?
All this is to say, now is the time to be bold, and the USA TODAY Sports NHL staff is ready to document their craziest playoff predictions.
Kevin Allen: Ryan McDonagh will be as important as Nikita Kucherov: When you talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning, you usually start with their dynamic 5-on-5 offense and power play efficiency. But when McDonagh came aboard, he helped make their defense much more well-rounded. McDonagh's all-around strong play makes the Lightning more formidable.
Jimmy Hascup: The Vegas Golden Knights will reach the Final (and lose, again). The Golden Knights might be slightly overlooked as the third seed (93 points) in the Pacific Division, but they might be more equipped for the playoffs now. Their offense is stronger with Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny. Marc-Andre Fleury, who was rested down the stretch, provides them with a difference-maker at goalie. Their problem will be facing the Lightning in the Final.
FIRST-ROUND PREDICTIONS: How we see first round playing out
RANKINGS:How playoff teams 1-16 based on Stanley Cup chances
POSSIBLE UPSET:Who can beat the 62-win Lightning?
SCHEDULE:Dates, times, TV for NHL postseason
Mike Brehm: The St. Louis Blues will reach the Final. They briefly led the Central Division on the final day of the season before dropping to third place. It's not a stretch for them to get out of the division, even with lacking home-ice advantage. Craig Berube has them playing the right way (.651 winning percentage) since he was named interim coach in November. Goalie Jordan Binnington will get votes for rookie of the year and Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly and Brayden Schenn can provide enough offense to help them win tight games
Jace Evans: We will get an all-Canadian conference final. For the first time since the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks met in a geographically confused Western Conference final in 1994, two teams from Canada will square off in a semifinal. Those teams will be the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets in the West, and while it might keep NBC executives up at night, this high-octane offensive matchup could dazzle and put the best parts of hockey on display.
