EASTERN CONFERENCE
Lightning (1) vs. Devils (WC2)
My prediction: Lightning in 4
RESULT: LIGHTNING IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: As expected, the Lighting just outmanned the Devils in just about every area. I'm actually surprised that Jersey stole a game. Well played, Tampa.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Lightning have the edge in almost every area. The only way I see Jersey pulling an upset is through the play of one person: Taylor Hall. He has been spectacular. If the Lightning find a way to even marginally shut him down, though, this series should be short.
Capitals (1) vs. Blue Jackets (WC1)
My prediction: Capitals in 5
RESULT: CAPITALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: The Jackets put up a good fight. A great fight, actually. And they should be proud of what they accomplished this year. They just met a superior team. The best news for them is that Bobrovsky played fantastic. He has gotten better every playoff series he has played, and he wasn't the reason they lost any of these games. That bodes well for the future. The Caps played some great hockey.
Pre-Series Thoughts: I just don't think the Jackets have the capital (see what I did there?) to compete against Washington, who is stronger is just about every area.
Penguins (2) vs Flyers (3)
My prediction: Flyers in 7
RESULT: OFFICIALS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: It is INFURIATING playing the Penguins. It's not just the ridiculous calls that are made against the Flyers (there are plenty), it's the fact that the Penguins get away with a LUDICROUS amount of the exact same penalties that the Flyers are called for (plus a bunch more). It's absolutely disgusting. You should be ashamed, NHL. Ashamed. And it's not just the Flyers. A couple of years ago, I asked a friend here in Columbus (a huge Blue Jackets fan) who his least favorite team to play against was, and he said, "The Penguins. You have to play them AND the officials, every time." He's right.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Yes, I am biased, and yes I know the Flyers are huge underdogs in this series. And on paper, the Penguins should dominate this series, like they did the regular season series against the Flyers. But I'm going with my gut, and going out on a limb here. I believe the Flyers will show up in this series. They have shown they can play against anyone in the league when they play a full 60 minute effort. A lot hinges on Brian Elliott, so hopefully he is back to health. We'll also have to play against the officials, as every team always has to vs the Penguins.
Boston (2) vs. Toronto (3)
My prediction: Boston in 7
RESULT: BOSTON IN 7
Post-Series Thoughts: Toronto really gave Boston a run for their money, as I expected. But in the end, Boston's depth helped them prevail.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is a really close matchup. Toronto has been playing consistently great hockey lately. Boston has not. But overall Boston is deeper and I think if they come ready to play their best, they will take this series. But I don't think the Leafs will make it easy.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Predators (1) vs. Avalance (WC2)
My prediction: Predators in 4
RESULT: PREDATORS IN 6
Post-Series Thoughts: Colorado actually put up a great fight. Their fans should be proud of what they did. They just happened to end up playing the best team in the NHL.
Pre-Series Thoughts: Nashville is the best team in the NHL this year. The Avalanche barely squeaked into the playoffs. Enough said.
Golden Knights (1) vs. Kings (WC1)
My prediction: Knights in 6
RESULT: KNIGHTS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't even close. The Kings only managed 3 goals in the entire series. Their experience really didn't help, and they looked lost and outmanned this entire series.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Knights are the surprise Cinderella story of all sports this year. An expansion team that ended up a #1 seed? And they deserve it. They have done really well, played great as a team. I don't think the Kings can hang, though they have lots of playoff experience and might steal a game or two.
Jets (2) vs. Wild (3)
My prediction: Jets in 7
RESULT: JETS IN 5
Post-Series Thoughts: This series wasn't as long as I expected. The Jets came to play, and really had their way with the Wild through the whole series. Well done.
Pre-Series Thoughts: This is actually a pretty good matchup, at least on paper. Hard to call this one, but I'm going with the Jets to pull it out in a long series.
Ducks (2) vs. Sharks (3)
My prediction: Ducks in 5
RESULT: SHARKS IN 4
Post-Series Thoughts: This was an exercise in complete domination and perhaps the first real stunner of 2018. 4 goals for the Ducks in the entire series, and they got completely shellacked 8-1 in game 3. No contest here.
Pre-Series Thoughts: The Ducks rolled into the playoffs with a 10-1-1 record. Also, Ryan Miller hasn't won in the postseason for quite a while, and the Sharks limped into the playoffs. I think this series could go longer, but I'm guessing the Ducks get out in 5.
