2021 NHL Playoffs

[TPIR_rules]

Here are my first round & Stanley Cup Champions predictions:


Pittsburgh over NY Islanders in 6
Boston over Washington in 6
Carolina over Nashville in 5
Tampa Bay over Florida in 7
Toronto over Montreal in 6
Edmonton over Winnipeg in 5
Colorado over St. Louis in 6
Minnesota over Vegas in 7


Stanley Cup Champions: Boston

[TPIR_rules]

Here are most of my second round predictions:


Boston over NY Islanders in 6
Carolina over Tampa Bay in 7
Colorado over Vegas in 7


I'll give my North Division second round prediction when the matchup is set.

[mellongraig]

One thing I will say is that the fans in Canada have returned for Game 6 in the Toronto-Montreal series, albeit with just 2,500 capacity wise. Well this is going to a Game 7 after Montreal wins it in OT once again and Game 7's have not been kind to the Leafs. Is this the year that it changes? We shall see...

[mellongraig]

And Toronto's Game 7 curse continues along with the Stanley Cup drought, this time blowing a 3-1 series lead to Montreal (which ironically is the final score for Game 7). Montreal moves on by a 3-1 score in Game 7, winning the series 4-3, and will face Winnipeg in Round 2.

[Nate Powalie]

And Toronto's Game 7 curse continues along with the Stanley Cup drought, this time blowing a 3-1 series lead to Montreal (which ironically is the final score for Game 7). Montreal moves on by a 3-1 score in Game 7, winning the series 4-3, and will face Winnipeg in Round 2.

The Maple Leafs will break their drought eventually, but yeah that score is ironic.

[TPIR_rules]

Here is my North Division second round prediction:


Winnipeg over Montreal in 6

[mellongraig]

The North Division 2nd round is over and Montreal wins it in 4 to sweep Winnipeg in overtime (I think the turning point was when Mark Scheifele got suspended 4 games due to the hit and the Jets were without one of their best players). That's 7 games in a row won for Montreal and the drive for 25 continues.

[SeaBreeze341]

I guess we'll never know, but whoever was coming out of that division was or is slated to have difficultly against their next foe.  I'm still a bit surprised that Scheifele pretty much got the book tossed at him.

The other surprising thing is what New York has done up to this point.  I think if they can get by Boston, I might consider going with the Isles to make the cup final which would avenge their ouster last season

[jmorgan]

Stanley Cup semifinals are now set:

Vegas vs. Montreal
Tampa Bay vs. N.Y. Islanders

[Nate Powalie]

Stanley Cup semifinals are now set:

Vegas vs. Montreal
Tampa Bay vs. N.Y. Islanders

My predictions for the semis...
Vegas beats Montreal in 6
And the Islanders go the distance (a full 7 games) to wipeout the Lightning

[SeaBreeze341]

My predictions for the semis...
Vegas beats Montreal in 6
And the Islanders go the distance (a full 7 games) to wipeout the Lightning

Wipeout might be too strong of a word, when it comes to the reigning champions going down following a hard-fought series, but that’s just my opinion.

This series could go either way.  The only surprise for me is if it’s over in 4 or 5 (assuming no one gets hurt).  New York was very competitive last season, and couple that with a shorter period between the two seasons, and this repeat of last year’s ECF bonds well for the Islanders.  Tampa is the real deal.  However, Barry Trotz typically avenges defeat, and he has a rather balanced & decent team.  Whoever wins this series, IMO will win the cup if Montreal upsets Vegas.
 
That early prediction is subject to change, depending on how the Canadians defeat the Golden Knights, but I don’t see Vegas losing.  The Habs may prove that they’re okay and not the beneficiary of a crap-ass division, but it will not be easy doing so four times before losing four times. FWIW, just a season ago, they treated that season as if they were slated to draft the top overall pick

[TPIR_rules]

Here are my Semi Finals & REVISED Stanley Cup Champions predictions:


Tampa Bay over NY Islanders in 5
Vegas over Montreal in 6



Stanley Cup Champions:  Vegas

[danderson400]

Any reason why uSA Network has a few games this round?

[therealcu2010]

Conflicts with Olympic trials. Remember that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are much later than usual this year.

[FieldsFan336]

Islanders take game 1 of their series against Tampa Bay with a 2-1 victory.  Vegas-Montreal begins tonight