It’s that time of the year again… Now, the regular season is not over yet, but I feel so strongly about this year’s play-off that I have to share my impressions ere it is too late!
Of course I will be rooting – as usual – for my perennial favorite San José Sharks. But this year I feel like it (The Stanley Cup) is going to be snatched by one of the very young teams. Three competitors that come to my mind are Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Edmonton, of which about the Maple Leafs I feel most strongly.
Now I know that it is highly unlikely both Toronto and Tampa would advance into the play-offs and since I don’t know the exact pairings for the play-off bracket, I will only provide my preliminary assessment.
Eastern Conference
As it is looking at the moment (some 10+ matches left to play) I favor mostly Toronto/Tampa (for a surprise) if they manage to squeeze in (looks like it’s gonna be only one of them for the last play-off berth). I also think Washington will go far this year (maybe even to the Conference Finals and Canadiens might show strong as well. The other teams that I suspect will do well (at least they should clear the first round) are Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.
Western Conference
I am pretty sure the Oilers will reach the Conference Finals. The other teams that will, I believe, do well (that is, at least clear the first round), are (in the order of likelihood): St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, and San José Sharks (yes, my precious), unless… unless Winnipeg Jets managed to – somehow – dethrone St. Louis Blues from the currently last wild-card spot in which case they might go all the way to final! Hmm, let’s see…
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