The difference between a sportswriter and a fan is that the sportswriter knows he or she is only guessing when he or she makes a prediction. But that never stops a sportswriter from making an educate guess about who is going to win a playoff series.
Here is my take about what will occur in the first round of the NHL playoffs:

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Prediction: Flyers in five games
Prevailing thought: It's too much to ask the Canadiens to pull significant upsets within a week's time.
Worry: : Carey Price. If he wants to post a .970 save percentage in this series he could change the story.
Probability Canadiens win: 10%

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Prediction: Lightning in six games
Prevailing thought: It can't happen two years in a row.
Worry: Coach John Tortorella has done a magnificent job convincing the Blue Jackets they are better than they are.
Probability Blue Jackets win: 40%

Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders
Prediction: Islanders win in seven
Prevailing thought: Barry Trotz's defense trumps Alex Ovechkin's offense
Worry: Ovechkin will score one billion goals
Probability the Capitals win: 50%

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Prediction: 'Canes win in seven games
Prevailing thought: Hurricanes have looked much sharper and more inspired than the Bruins in the first week of the playoffs. Coach Rod Brind'Amour's guys are grittier than they were last year when they lost to the Bruins in the conference final.
Worry: Bruins will come to life and
Probability the Bruins win: 49%

Western Conference

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Golden Knights in five
Prevailing thought: Going back to the end of the regular-season, the Golden Knights are 14-2 in their last 16 games. They look hungry.
Worry: Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will start to relive 2010, 2013 or 2015.
Probability the Blackhawks win: 30%

Colorado Avalanche vs. Arizona Coyotes
Prediction: Avalanche in five
Prevailing thought: The Nathan MacKinnon-led Avalanche have the talent to win it all.
Worry: The defensive-minded Coyotes are a spunky group and Arizona goalie Darcy Kuemper could steal game or two.
Probability the Coyotes could win: 25%


Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Flames
Prediction: Stars in seven games
Prevailing thought: As much as we don't trust the Calgary goaltending, this is still a toss-up series.
Worry: The health of Tyler Seguin and Ben Bishop. They are supposed to play, but we don't anything about their injuries.
Probability the Flames could win: 50%

St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks
Prediction: Blues in seven games
Prevailing thought: These are the defending Stanley Cup champions, right? Experience matters, doesn't it?
Worry: Quinn Hughes. Elias Pettersson. Brock Boeser. Jacob Markstrom. Everything about the Canucks is worrisome. They are on their way to being a dominant team. Could they go deep this season like the 'Canes did in 2019?
Probability the Canucks could win: 35%

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