Playoff predictions. Everyone has them. They’re all terrible. Mine are no different. But at least I admit it! I kid you not, one year I went 0/8 in the 1st Round (which is almost like getting 8/8, right? Practically the same thing!). But I’ve also occasionally gotten very, very close to nailing it. In 2011, I correctly predicted it would be the Vancouver Canucks against the Boston Bruins in the Finals (and then incorrectly predicted my Canucks would ultimately prevail). And in 2015, I got something like only three match-ups wrong in the entire thing. Coincidentally, that time I also picked the Tampa Bay Lightning to win it all. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, so let’s get started.

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche
Both of these teams have been really fun to watch this season, and this should be a highly-entertaining match-up. Calgary’s success especially has been a pleasant (and long-awaited) surprise for Flames fans. What will play the biggest factor here is scoring depth. While Colorado has potentially the best line in the NHL, once you get past MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Landeskog, I’m not sure they have enough guns to match Calgary’s. But at least the Avs have that fourth-overall draft pick for next year, right?
Prediction: Calgary in five

San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights
A rematch from last year’s playoffs with a similar result. While I expected this to be San Jose’s year when the season started, they just haven’t looked nearly as dominant as I thought they’d be, especially on defense. While the Knights are coming in as the lower seed, adding Mark Stone at the Trade Deadline has made them look like their old selves again. I think the Knights capture that Las Vegas luck and roll to the Finals for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Vegas in six

Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars
Nashville is a tough, hungry team and Dallas is just happy to be here. Next!
Prediction: Nashville in four

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
I really want to pick the Jets to go all the way. On paper, they look near perfect for a playoff team. But they’ve never quite been able to put it together this season. Maybe they get hot in the playoffs and turn this whole thing upside down. They’re going up against a hot Blues team whose goaltender has played lights-out, but he’s still a rookie going into his first NHL playoff series. This could be perfect for the Jets offense to feast on. A good series against St. Louis might be exactly what Winnipeg needs.
Prediction: Winnipeg in seven

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Poor Columbus. They’ve never gotten past the first round of the playoffs and sadly they’re going to have to wait another year. Their costly gambles at the Trade Deadline will look real bad in a few weeks.
Prediction: Tampa Bay in four

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Ah, yes. The series that has had Leafs fans complaining about the current playoff format for the past few months. They complain because they’re scared of Boston, and frankly I don’t blame them. Boston, as always, is a team built for playoff success. And by that I mean they’re loaded with skilled players who are more than happy to take cheap shots when the refs go into “playoff mode” and stop calling penalties. I don’t care how many of Toronto’s superstars grew up wearing adorable Leafs jammies. Boston’s going to smash through their dreams like a Naboo Starfighter piloted by a nine-year-old podracer.
Prediction: Boston in seven

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Washington’s run to the Cup last year was fun. Carolina’s post-win celebrations were also fun. Don Cherry hates fun, and the fun to be had in this series might give him a stroke live on Coach’s Corner.
Prediction: Washington in five

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
I have a lot of respect for the Islanders. Their best player abandoned them and somehow they managed to become a better team despite it. They’ve got a good coach and a fine collection of gutsy players. That said, they’re facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. You know Crosby and Malkin ain’t going out in the first round.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in five

Tampa Bay wins the Stanley Cup
Yes, I know I went out on a really long limb to pick the undisputed #1 team as the Stanley Cup winner. But they’re just so good. Kucherov has been having an insane season and Stamkos is beyond due to win his first Cup. They’ve got a great goaltender and a solid defense. Sure, the playoffs are often unpredictable, but sometimes the favourites take all the fun out of it.

And that’s enough of that. We’ll check back in a few weeks to see how I did. If you want to make some dough, the safe bet would be to put money on the opposite picks. I would have made a killing doing that on my 0/8 year.