Tampa Bay Lightning v. New Jersey Devils - Prediction: Lightning in 6; Actual result: Lightning in 5. Tampa Bay never really looked threatened in this series although they still showed they were vulnerable to some serious defensive lapses. The goaltending was solid and Nikita Kucherov dominated with five goals and ten points in just the five games.
Boston Bruins v. Toronto Maple Leafs - Predicition: Toronto in 7; Actual result: Bruins in 7. This was a wild, wacky series. The Bruins dominated the first two games as the Maple Leafs' defense and goaltending was largely invisible. Things changed when the series moved up north, however, as the Freddy Andersen became the Leaf's best player and their defense solidified. Even with Andersen's spectacular play and Toronto's domination, the Bruins stole a win in game 4. But they couldn't put the Leafs away in game 5 or game 6, setting up the dramatic game 7. This is the Leafs, however, and they blew three one-goal leads in the game, went into a defensive shell before the end of the second period, and gave up four unanswered goals in the third, including a truly soft one by Andersen on the go-ahead goal to lose 7-4. The Bruins looked surprisingly impotent at certain points in this series but the Toronto defense, especially the forward coverage in the defensive zone, was too much for the Leafs to overcome. Patrice Bergeron muzzled Auston Matthews and dominated in the face-off circle.
Washington Capitals v. Columbus Blue Jackets - Prediction: Columbus in 7; Actual result: Capitals in 6. This series was actually closer than the result might indicate. Four of the six games went to overtime, with each side winning two. The critical point in this series was when the Caps decided to go with Braden Holtby. He came in in relief of Grubauer in the 3rd period of game 2 and won games 3 through 6. Holtby's play arguably stole game 5 for the Caps as he reprised his form from last year's regular season. The Blue Jackets could never get a nose in front in this series, as the Caps scored first in five of the six games.
Pittsburgh Penguins v. Philadelphia Flyers - Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5; Actual result: Pittsburgh in 6. The Penguins never really seemed threatened in this series despite splitting their first two games at home. The Pens had more firepower than the Flyers to begins with and injuries to Couturier and Provorov made that gap even wider. Crosby was spectacular, racking up six goals and seven assists in the six games.
Nashville Predators v. Colorado Avalanche - Prediction: Nashville in 5; Actual result: Nashville in 6. Like the Pens, you never really thought the Predators were in danger of losing this series although the Avs put up a stiffer challenge than expected, despite being reduced to their third string goalie, Andrew Hammond, in the third period of game 4 and beyond. But Hammond was not the problem for the Avs. That was the third line of the Preds, which had 19 points and was plus 18 for the series. The Predators took way too many penalties and continued to display some egregious defensive lapses which they will have to clean up if they want to win the Cup.
Winnipeg Jets v. Minnesota Wild - Prediction: Winnipeg in 5; Actual result: Winnipeg in 5. The Wild were undermanned to begin with and losing Zach Parise during the series hurt their offense even more. The Jets were better at both ends of the ice and Devan Dubnyk was the only reason the Wild were able to stay in a few of the games.
Vegas Golden Knights v. L.A. Kings - Prediction: Knights in 7; Actual result: Knights in 4. This was another series where the result does not indicate how even this series was. All four of these games were superb, with each game decided by a single goal and two of them 1-0 shutouts. It really was too bad my prediction didn't pan out because seven games between these two teams would have been great to see. We knew the goaltending and defense of both teams was going to be good. The difference was the stifling defense of the Knights, who only allowed three goals in four games. The Knights also looked like the quicker team throughout and generated more offensive chances.
Anaheim Ducks v. San Jose Sharks - Prediction: Sharks in 7; Actual result: Sharks in 4. I really thought this series would be closer than it was. It was always going to be tough for the Ducks but they just could not generate enough offense, only scoring four goals in the series. The Sharks were the deeper team, especially with the addition of Evander Kane and Eric Fehr. That showed up as each game and the series moved along.
I didn't do so badly in the prediction department, getting six of the eight series correct. I am disappointed the Leafs let me down, but then they always will. I'll be back later with second round analysis and predictions.
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