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My predictions for the remainder of the playoffs post-quarterfinals

April 12, 2019, 10:08 AM ET [251 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
My 2019 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions blog was posted on Monday. Wednesday, I posted my 2019 Western Conference Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions blog. This blog covers my projections for the Conference Semi-finals, Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

My final four, predicted before the playoffs started, so with Game 1 already played, some of these could be in a little doubt, was Lightning-Capitals and Predators-Golden Knights with a final of Lightning-Predators and Stanley Cup champ of Lightning.

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Tampa vs. Boston

Divisional rivals meet for the second straight season. Last year, Tampa won 4-1. This season won’t be that easy. Boston has the pedigree up front, blueline and netminder to win this series. Whoever advances from this matchup will make the Stanley Cup Finals. This is where Tampa’s depth proves critical. If you shut down the big boys, Tyler Johnson or Ondrej Palat or Mathieu Joseph or Anthony Cirelli or J.T. Miller can pick up the slack. On defense, Erik Cernak’s defense may be a key against the Bruins’ top line. For Boston, Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson, two trade-deadline additions, will play a key role in the series, potting big goals throughout. Vasilevskiy and Rask negate one another but the Russian netminder gets the slight betterment of the Finnish goalie to carry Tampa to the Eastern Conference Finals on an Alex Killorn goal. Lightning in 7.

Washington vs. New York

The Capitals get a break in facing the Islanders and not the Penguins. If Pittsburgh does advance, the teams would meet for the 11th – and fourth straight - time in the post-season. New York will play their home games at the Barclays Center, negating the home ice advance from the Nassau Coliseum. Washington jumps all over New York, winning the first two games at home. The Islanders win Game 3 but drop the next two to end the series. Greiss and Lehner are game but too much Ovechkin and Kuz carry Washington the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season. Capitals in 5.

Calgary vs. Vegas

The darlings of 2018-19 meet the 2017-18 version in the semi-finals. Calgary enters the matchup as the favorite despite their lack of recent playoff success. Vegas has no pressure on them while the Flames may be expected to advance to the next round and Cup Finals. The Golden Knights’ experience of a year ago coupled with the fine play of The Flower carry Las Vegas to Western Conference Finals again. Mark Stone earns his $ this round, outplaying Gaudreau, Monahan and Lindholm. Peters switches goalies throughout the series to no avail, as Calgary goes down in six contests. Golden Knights in 6.

Nashville vs. St, Louis

The Predators are the experienced playoff team in this matchup, as the Blues have little recent history of sustained success. That experience shows in this round. The Nashville blueline makes life next to impossible top line, and despite Sundqvist and Thomas picking up the slack, it’s not enough. Pekka Rinne outplays his younger counterpart while P.K. Subban turns back the clock to last year’s postseason with his play. Look for Nick Bonino to be a surprising producer this round. Predators in 6.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Tampa vs. Washington

Last year’s conference finals teams meet up again. Washington won games 1-2, and lost games 3-5 before rallying to win game 6 and then shutting out Tampa Bay 4-0 in Game 7 to advance to the Cup Finals. That bitter taste is fresh in the mouths of the Lightning. Kucherov and Stamkos run wild in the series matched by Backstrom and Carlson. Tampa lost in this round in 2016 and last season, this year, they finally break through to make the Cup Finals. Vasilevskiy outplays Holtby to carry Tampa to the Finals. Lightning in 6.

Nashville vs. Las Vegas

Country Music vs. The Strip. Both teams have excellent goalies that have carried their teams to the Finals in the past. Vegas made a run to the Finals last season thanks to Fleury and production throughout the lineup. Nashville’s bluelinee, especially Ryan Ellis, proves to be the difference in this series, carrying the Predators to their second Cup Finals in three years. Predators in 6.

STANLEY CUP FINALS

Tampa vs. Nashville

The Stanley Cup heads back to Tampa for the first time since 2004. The Lightning finally get over the hump, carried by Brayden Point, who earns the Conn Smythe Trophy. Rinne is dominant in the series, winning two games on his own, but he is unable to will the Predators past the Lightning. Lightning in 6.

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