The first round of the 2024 NHL playoffs began over the weekend.
Here are my predictions for each series:
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston possesses a strong goalie tandem in Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark while Leafs’ scorers Auston Matthews and William Nylander are coming off career-best performances. The latter began this series on the back foot but has the talent to rally back. Maple Leafs in seven games.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets
Stanley Cup champs in 2022, the Avalanche possesses superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar but this club has struggled in recent weeks.
The Jets were red hot down the stretch thanks in part to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. He could be the difference-maker in this series. Jets in six games.
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Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
The Canucks have strong goaltending and plenty of scoring punch led by Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Meanwhile, the Predators rode a hot streak over the final eight weeks to clinch a post-season berth.
The Preds will be a tough opponent but won't overcome the Canucks' depth. Canucks in five games.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
It's the third straight year these teams have met in the first round with the Oilers taking the previous two. The Kings play a strong defensive game, but they will struggle again to contain the Oilers' dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Oilers in six games.
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
This version of the Capitals is a long way from the bunch that won the Stanley Cup in 2018. They're no match for a talented and determined Rangers’ team that finished first overall this season, led by superstar winger Artemi Panarin. Rangers in five games.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
A strong defensive team, the Hurricanes' offence improved following the trade deadline acquisition of Jake Guentzel. That should give them an extra edge to thwart the Islanders' stingy defensive game. Hurricanes in five games.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning won the previous “Battle of Florida” in 2022. This time, the Panthers have a more talented, experienced roster led by Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart while the Lightning isn’t as deep as they were two years ago. Panthers in six games.
Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Possessing a balanced roster featuring Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen and Joel Oettinger, the Stars were the top team in the Western Conference. The Golden Knights are defending Stanley Cup champions but will find the Stars difficult to contain. Stars in five games.
PWHL notebook
The Professional Women's Hockey League has enjoyed record-setting games for attendance this season.
They set another record for women's hockey by selling out Montreal's 21,105-seat Bell Centre on April 20 as visiting Toronto defeated the hometown club 3-2. Toronto's Sarah Nurse scored twice, including the winner in overtime, as her first-place club clinched a playoff berth with 38 points.
This game occurred following a three-week hiatus for the IIHF women's world championships, won by Canada for the third time in four years. With the end of the regular season on May 5, the race is on to determine the other three playoff teams.
Minnesota and Montreal are tied with 35 points for second and third in the standings. Ottawa holds the final spot with 30 points, but Boston sits two points back. With 20 points, New York is on the verge of elimination from post-season contention.
Lyle Richardson is a freelance writer with Bleacher Report and runs the website Spector’s Hockey. His column will appear on SaltWire throughout the NHL hockey season.
