There were 146 days of hockey vacation.....

BUT WE ARE BACK!!

Welcome to SUMMER STANLEY 2020! (patent pending)

First let's get to the predictions for the West...

On Nashville vs. Arizona

These playoffs are very important to both of these teams...for very different reasons...The Preds, under their new coach, at times looked lost trying to implement a completely new defense-first system and during the season if sputtered alot...However, I was surprised to see how well they seem to have it together against Dallas.

The Coyotes under Tocchet were very streaky and they weren't very good at all from January 1 on ...Taylor Hall looks like he is on an island...doing all he can out there, but needing more players to step up and follow his lead...

My Pick>Preds in 5


On Edmonton vs Chicago
The Oilers are for real and they look like they have matured a ton in the off-season. This team will be a force in these playoffs. The Hawks have experience and hidden depth that can help Kane and company score, but at the end of the day they can't stop or skate with Edmonton...

My Pick> Oilers in 4

Calgary vs. Winnipeg.
The Flames will either shock us all and sweep the Jets or go down in 4. The Flames have plenty of talent, but if Gaudreau isn't a point a game they won't be able to stay with the Jets. The Jets can be streaky at times and I don't put any stock in what we saw in the Vancouver game...Neither team played ANY defense...In the end the advantage in Goal is just too much for Calgary.

My Pick >Jets in 4

Minnesota vs. Vancouver

Two teams on the right track for certain, but Minnesota is just further along at this point...And they are crazy confident. Markstrom will HAVE to win this series for the Canucks...I love Elias Pettersson...He is my favorite player in the NHL right now. But what Guerin has done in Minnesota has really made this Hockey Crazed City feel reborn...

My Pick> Minnesota in 4

As for the top 4 teams...

#1 Colorado
#2. Vegas
#3. St Louis
#4. Dallas


What say you??

ENJOY THE GAMES!

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