Playoff hockey returns on Saturday. Despite the New Jersey Devils not being a participant, it is always an exciting time of year. Check out our staff predictions below and make sure you join our NHL Bracket Challenge group!
Eastern Conference
WC #1 Boston Bruins vs. A #1 Buffalo Sabres
Quick Overview –
When: Game 1 is Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 pm ET.
Season Series: Boston leads 3-1
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Buffalo in 6
- Garrett Z. – Buffalo in 6
- Matt C. – Buffalo in 6
- Eli G. – Buffalo in 7
- Tommy B. – Boston in 6
- James V. – Buffalo in 6
- Jordan K. – Boston in 6
- Anthony B. – Buffalo in 7
WC #2 Ottawa Senators vs. M #1 Carolina Hurricanes
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 pm ET.
Season Series: Carolina leads 2-1
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Ottawa in 7
- Garrett Z. – Carolina in 7
- Matt C. – Carolina in 5
- Eli G. – Carolina in 6
- Tommy B. – Carolina in 6
- James V. – Carolina in 6
- Jordan K. – Carolina in 5
- Anthony B. – Carolina in 5
M #3 Philadelphia Flyers vs. M #2 Pittsburgh Penguins
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 starts Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 pm ET.
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Pittsburgh in 6
- Garrett Z. – Pittsburgh in 6
- Matt C. – Philadelphia in 7
- Eli G. – Philadelphia in 7
- Tommy B. – Philadephia in 6
- James V. – Pittsburgh in 6
- Jordan K. – Pittsburgh in 7
- Anthony B. – Pittsburgh in 6
A #3 Montreal Canadiens vs. A #2 Tampa Bay Lightning
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Sunday, April 19 at 5:45 pm ET.
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Tampa Bay in 7
- Garrett Z. – Tampa Bay in 7
- Matt C. – Montreal in 7
- Eli G. – Tampa Bay in 5
- Tommy B. – Montreal in 7
- James V. – Tampa Bay in 5
- Jordan K. – Tampa Bay in 6
- Anthony B. – Tampa Bay in 7
Western Conference
WC #1 Utah Mammoth vs. P #1 Vegas Golden Knights
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 pm ET.
Season Series: Utah leads 2-1
Staff Picks
- Jacob G. – Utah in 7
- Garrett Z. – Utah in 6
- Matt C. – Utah in 6
- Eli G. – Vegas in 5
- Tommy B. – Vegas in 6
- James V. – Vegas in 7
- Jordan K. – Vegas in 6
- Anthony B. – Utah in 7
WC #2 Los Angeles Kings vs. C #1 Colorado Avalanche
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 pm ET.
Season Series: Colorado leads 3-0
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Colorado in 5
- Garrett Z. – Colorado in 4
- Matt C. – Colorado in 5
- Eli G. – Colorado in 4
- Tommy B. – Colorado in 4
- James V. – Colorado in 5
- Jordan K. – Colorado in 5
- Anthony B. – Colorado in 5
P #3 Anaheim Ducks vs. P #2 Edmonton Oilers
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Monday, April 20 at 10:00 pm ET.
Season Series: Edmonton leads 2-1
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Edmonton in 6
- Garrett Z. – Edmonton in 6
- Matt C. – Edmonton in 5
- Eli G. – Edmonton in 6
- Tommy B. – Edmonton in 6
- James V. – Edmonton 6
- Jordan K. – Edmonton in 7
- Anthony B. – Edmonton in 5
C #3 Minnesota Wild vs. C #2 Dallas Stars
Quick Overview
When: Game 1 is Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 pm ET.
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Dallas in 6
- Garrett Z. – Dallas in 7
- Matt C. – Minnesota in 7
- Eli G. – Dallas in 6
- Tommy B. – Minnesota in 7
- James V. – Dallas in 7
- Jordan K. – Minnesota in 7
- Anthony B. – Dallas in 7
Stanley Cup Final Predictions
Staff Picks:
- Jacob G. – Colorado over Tampa Bay in 6; Conn Smythe: Nathan MacKinnon
- Garrett Z. – Colorado over Carolina in 5; Conn Smythe: Nathan MacKinnon
- Matt C. – Edmonton over Carolina in 7; Conn Smythe: Connor McDavid
- Eli G. – Dallas over Carolina in 6; Conn Smythe: Wyatt Johnston
- Tommy B. – Colorado over Carolina in 6; Conn Smythe: Nathan MacKinnon
- James V. – Colorado over Tampa Bay in 7; Conn Smythe: Cal Makar
- Jordan K. – Edmonton over Carolina in 7; Conn Smythe: Connor McDavid
- Anthony B. – Dallas over Carolina in 7; Conn Smythe: Jake Oettinger
Good luck everyone and make sure to join our NHL Bracket Challenge group!