NHL Playoffs Start And Here are My Thoughts and Predictions

​                2021 has been such a year, I mean we saw the worst of a nation storm the capitol. A pandemic sidelining fun for normal humans. Amazon Change its logo to the Hitler moustache, and Bill and Melinda Gates admitting true love is not real. I mean who would have thought a billionaire would get divorced like that. But in the hockey world 2021 has been quite normal. Buffalo sucks, Pittsburgh is good, and Connor McDavid is on God Mode. The only difference is that Taylor Hall now plays for Boston after a quick stint in Buffalo to see if Robin Lehner actually wanted to kill himself. Plot Twist, Lehner was right Buffalo is a nightmare. I have no doubt that if this were an 82-game season the league would be in the exact same situation they are in now. Maybe a seeding change or two but noting much. I wanted to break down and predict some of these series. I mean there isn’t much to say for Toronto vs Montreal here, or St. louis Vs Colorado even though Ryan O’Rilley somehow thinks that the Blues have a change that, fucking moron. Either was some key matchups I want to breakdown starting with..
Boston Vs Washington
 
The 2-3 seeds meeting up in what seems to be on paper the best series to watch. I fully believe there will be fireworks. Chara’s first year outside of Boston and he meets them in playoffs, I mean what are the chances in any other year. But Washington has some downsides going into playoffs and Boston has some Momentum carrying them into this first round. Tom Wilson to me is the deciding factor. He has decided along with George Parros that he has accepted the Bounty on his head by every other player in the NHL. If Wilson does what he usually does the one team that can and will do something and zero problem doing it is Boston. Honestly maybe this is a slice of humble pie from the hockey gods to Wilson. But other than that Washington’s unproven goaltending to me is the deciding factor and Boston I believe will win this series 4-2.
 
Edmonton vs Winnipeg
 
Holy shit I feel so bad for the Jets. Having to play McDavid who scored 104 points in 56 games this season and second in the league happens to be Leon Draisaitl with 83 in 56 games. I just wanted to point that out that the Jets are fucked. But hey maybe Paul Maurice can take a nice comfy job as the Rangers Head Coach once the Oilers finish with the Jets.
 
 
Panthers Vs Lightning
 
The reigning Stanley Cup champs. I don’t want to say they are done here, but they are limping into playoffs. With Headman being hurt and Kucherov having his first game since the Finals last year be in playoffs along with Stamkos only playing rough 2/3’s the season and being a health scare every game now. I don’t see this fairing well for them. The Panthers on the other hand are having career seasons by several of their players. Huberdeau with 61 points, Barkov with 58 and Sam Bennett having 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points in 10 games since being traded by the flames at the deadline. Florida is soaring into these playoffs while Tampa is having a hard time keeping stars healthy. However I say these things and I fully predict that this series will go the distance because I mean its Tampa. Their AHL squad is better than half the NHL. I don’t see them getting past this panthers team. 4-3 FLA.
 
 
Vegas vs Minnesota
 
Finally, I’m going to wrap ups this incredibly long-winded blog with a west division matchup. Do I realistically believe the Wild can win this series? No, but I think they can hurt Vegas. That is the scary part. They just seem to be pissed this year, and I get that. Everyone including myself. I mean they added noting spectacular except Krill Kaprizov. But who would have expected 51 points from the rookie. But I wanted to highlight the May 5th contest against the Knights and Wild , dare I say it was a Wild Knight…. Ill stop. I show myself out. But seriously, these two teams hate each other and the wild might not have much of an opportunity to win but they will have an opportunity to ruin it for Vegas.
 
All in all I will give my series predictions and you can also check them out on our podcasts On Thin Ice and The Happy Hour from this week
 
East
Pittsburg Penguins (1) vs New York Islanders (4)
NYI 4 - PIT 3
Boston Bruins (3) Vs Washington Capitals (2)
BOS 4 - WAS 2
Central
Carolina Hurricanes (1) vs Nashville Predators (4)
CAR 4 - NAS 3
Florida Panthers  (2) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (3)
FLA 4 - TB 3
West
Colorado Avalanche (1) vs St. Louis Blues (4)
COL 4- STL 0
Vegas Golden Knights (2) vs Minnesota Wild (3)
VGK 4 – MIN 1
 
Canada
Toronto Maple Leafs (1) vs Montreal Canadians (4)
TOR 4 – MTL 1
 
Edmonton Oilers (2) vs Winnipeg Jets (3)
EDM 4- WPG 1

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