2023-24 NHL Playoff predictions

[superstar_88]

For those who think Vegas is the only way to build a cup winner they lost in the first round.
A team that brought in more or less the same players as last season and they loaded up big time.
They also used the Stone injured strategy again.

 

[glamphotographer]

Did I see the Oilers blow a 4-1 lead? How is that not the biggest story across the hockey Universe? Because no one cares, it's not the Leafs.

 

[glamphotographer]

For those who think Vegas is the only way to build a cup winner they lost in the first round.
A team that brought in more or less the same players as last season and they loaded up big time.
They also used the Stone injured strategy again.

I was hoping that Vegas didn't make the playoffs.

 

[K Douglas]

I see the Leafs losing but can't imagine them being swept.

Boston in 6 over Toronto (This version of the Leafs are more built for the physicality of playoff hockey but their inconsistent play on the blueline and in net will ultimately cost them the series)
NY Rangers in 5 over Washington (Caps have no business being in the playoffs but I'll predict Ovie spins some magic in one game)
Carolina in 4 over NY Islanders (Islanders just don't match up well at all with Carolina and will struggle to generate any form of offensive attack)
Florida in 6 over Tampa Bay (Florida just has way too much depth at all positions even though TB has the edge in net)
Dallas in 7 over Vegas (This could go either way. Vegas finally healthy and they know how to play playoff hockey)
Winnipeg in 6 over Colorado (Like the Leafs the Avs struggled down the stretch. Jets have a significant edge in net)
Vancouver in 6 over Nashville (Nashville is always competitive and will give the Canucks fits at times. Both teams have goaltenders that could steal games)
L.A. in 7 over Edmonton (L.A. seems to do well historically vs McJesus & Co. Kings had the 2nd best PK during the regular season and were one of least penalized teams as well)

i had 6/8 being very wrong on LA who were thoroughly outclassed by the Oilers in round 1. The Avs disposing of the Jets so easily definitely shocked me, considering how bad Colorado was playing leading up to the playoffs. But its hard to bet against MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen and Co. who are proven playoff winners.
My predictions for round 2 (yes I know a bit late)
Col is currently up 1-0 on Dallas but I'm still taking the Stars to win in 7. They're just too good and were my pre playoff pick to win the West.
Panthers over Bruins in 6. Florida is too deep.
Canucks over Oilers in 7. I'm banking on Vancouver getting Demko back at some point in the series.
Prior to the series I would have taken Hurricanes over Rangers in 6. But given that NY is now up 2-0 I cannot see them losing the series, especially if they sneak out a win in Carolina. Shesterkin has stepped his game up huge. Rangers in 5.

 

[shack]

Panthers over Bruins in 6. Florida is too deep.
Canucks over Oilers in 7. I'm banking on Vancouver getting Demko back at some point in the series.
Prior to the series I would have taken Hurricanes over Rangers in 6. But given that NY is now up 2-0 I cannot see them losing the series, especially if they sneak out a win in Carolina. Shesterkin has stepped his game up huge. Rangers in 5.

Not directed at you specifically K.

I always laugh when people predict the winners of series, but feel the need to also include in how many games. Then when the series is over and the team wins in 7 games instead of the 4 that was predicted, they still say that their prediction was right. IMO, a half right prediction is not a correct prediction. And by counting it as correct, people acknowledge that the number of games is meaningless, so why include it in the 1st place?

If you're including the number of games, I'd be shocked if even a single person got more than 1 correct in the 1st round. And even 1 correct would be a rarity.

 

[superstar_88]

Carolina has lost all 3 games to NYR by 1 goal and 2 of them were in OT.
Game 1 Andersen .826 SV%
Game 2 Andersen .897 SV% Shesterkin stopped 54 shots for a .947 SV%
Game 3 Kochetkov .880 SV% Shesterkin stopped 45 shots for a .957 SV%

Goaltending matters

 

[roddermac]

Linus Ulmark will be traded to Colorado this off season for a first round pick. You read it here first.

 

[K Douglas]

Carolina has lost all 3 games to NYR by 1 goal and 2 of them were in OT.
Game 1 Andersen .826 SV%
Game 2 Andersen .897 SV% Shesterkin stopped 54 shots for a .947 SV%
Game 3 Kochetkov .880 SV% Shesterkin stopped 45 shots for a .957 SV%

Goaltending matters

In this series most definitely. That being said the quality of the chances, not SOG, should be the barometer. I've seen more Ranger breakaways and 2 on 1's than Carolina.

 

[K Douglas]

Linus Ulmark will be traded to Colorado this off season for a first round pick. You read it here first.

As a Colorado fan I would welcome that. Georgiev has been so inconsistent. He does have one year remaining on his contract so perhaps he is sent to Boston in return? Ullmark's salary is $1.5 million per year higher.

 

[superstar_88]

Florida pops in 4 PP goals in 1 playoff game vs Boston

Bennett takes out Marchand with a sneaky headshot.
Last playoffs he took out Knies.
Both times it was the opposition trying to lay a hit on him.
Look at Tkatchuk as he skates by after the hit.
He turns his head towards the ref to see if he raises his arm cause he sees it.
Granted this is the type of sneaky play Marchand likes to dish out as well so I suppose it's just deserts.

 

[glamphotographer]

The Panthers lead the Bruins 3-1, I feel the Leafs should be the Bruins right now.

 

[chuckertmg]

Nichuskin suspended for six months without pay. The league let this get way too far. He was placed on indefinite leave twice already and they should have taken action before the playoffs, not when they're half over.

He was known to be doing massive amounts of cocaine and In the first round he scored 7 goals in 5 games against the Jets. He was a bigger factor in that series than MacKinnon/Makar.

 

[Toxboy75]

Rangers were up 3-0. What is going on? Canes is on the verge of a miraculous comeback.

 

[mburner]

Ha! Canes are the verge of golf. And as you northerners say, cottage season. LGR.

 

[Toxboy75]

Yep. Spoke too soon. Jinxed them.

 

[tml]

Did Vancouver know there was a game scheduled for Saturday night? Terrible performace.

 

[shack]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791876338334265723

Was that real or doctored? I have trouble believing it's real.

 

[tml]

6 out of 8.
Next round:
Florida in 5
Rangers in 6.
Edmonton in 6.
Colorado in 6.

3 out of 4.

Next round:
Dallas over Edmonton in 5.
Rangers over Florida in 6.

P.S. I actually want Florida and Edmonton to win.

 

[Ref]

6 out of 8.

Round 2 is much tougher.

* Rangers in 7
* Panthers in 6
* Stars in 6
* Oilers in 7

Wow! Every once in a while you get lucky. 4 out of 4.

* Panthers in 7
* Stars in 6

Though I would love to see the Oilers win it all...

 

[bemeup]

Wow! Every once in a while you get lucky. 4 out of 4.

* Panthers in 7
* Stars in 6

Though I would love to see the Oilers win it all...

I hope you had some money on those picks.