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2019 NHL Playoff Picks

This might be the boldest set of picks out there.

By Mark Abell
Boston Bruins v Washington Capitals Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

This set of picks is no cookie cutter chalk set of selections, I went deep and went with who I think can really come in with some momentum in the playoffs.

To make this quicker and to the point, I'll list each matchups difference maker in 1-2 sentences

Round 1

Eastern Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Tampa wins in 5 UNLESS Sergei Bobrovsky harnesses his inner Vezina winning abilities.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: this is the first round series I'm most excited about. I think Toronto, albeit some recent hiccups, is the better team and wins in 6.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes. I’m REALLY happy to see Carolina in for the first time in almost 10 years but Washington has figured out the playoff equation and makes it past this one in 5.

NY Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins experience is the x-factor over the red hot Islanders and the Penguins advance in 4.

Western Conference

Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars: Two of the league's best defense face off. The x-factor, in the last month or so, Dallas has scored more, allowed fewer goals, won more and scored many more power play goals, give me that edge here in 6 games.

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues: This is my biggest toss up, St. Louis has the momentum going with them but Winnipeg has the playoff turn up switch that they put on effect last year. I think background and supporting pieces (3rd liners, hits, blocking shots etc..) decide this game which Winnipeg has the edge on and win in 7 games, unless the Jets get too many penalties, Blues will make you pay for that.

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche: Calgary is the Lightning version of the West, that alone carries them past round 1...I think. Since I went all in, Flames in four games.

San Jose Sharks vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights: I want to like the Sharks to go deep this year but they are so streaky lately, I'll give them the nod in round 1 (in 5 games) but not much further.

Conference Semi-Finals

Eastern Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: This will be a ton of fun to watch, very high octane offenses and here is where things go crazy (especially with ‘playoff Tavares’), Toronto wins in 6 games as they figure out Tampa Bay and derail their momentum in game 2 of the series. Ironically, if Boston wins round 1, I think Boston beats Tampa Bay too.

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Rematch Rocky style, what are we on round 8 of this one? Give me the Capitals who have been potentially the 2nd best team over the last four weeks.

Western Conference

Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars: Winnipeg Jets should be a team that would advance but Connor Hellebuyck just can’t seem to put all of the pieces together and Ben Bishop really has in net for Dallas (who wins in 5)

Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks: This should have been the year of the Sharks but chemistry, injuries and putting all of the pieces together had a separate plan. Flames win in 5.

Conference Finals

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals: The Capitals have the formula figured out, watch their pace of play and overall performance as it got better and better over the course of the year. They advance YET AGAIN to the finals in 6 games.

Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars: Do you want to know what goalie has been the best over the last 4 weeks? Ben Bishop. Stars in 6.

Stanley Cup Finals

Washington Capitals vs. Dallas Stars: I’m not done with the bold picks yet - while Dallas has not had the most offensive production over the last month, their PP% was 25%, their PK% is 89 and they have one of the hottest goalies in the league right now: The Dallas Stars win the Stanley Cup.

Poll

Who Wins the 2019 Stanley Cup?

This poll is closed

  • 27%
    Tampa Bay Lightning
    (37 votes)
  • 7%
    Calgary Flames
    (10 votes)
  • 8%
    Washington Capitals
    (12 votes)
  • 4%
    Nashville Predators
    (6 votes)
  • 9%
    Boston Bruins
    (13 votes)
  • 2%
    San Jose Sharks
    (3 votes)
  • 2%
    NY Islanders
    (4 votes)
  • 2%
    Winnipeg Jets
    (3 votes)
  • 9%
    Pittsburgh Penguins
    (13 votes)
  • 1%
    Las Vegas Golden Knights
    (2 votes)
  • 8%
    Toronto Maple Leafs
    (12 votes)
  • 6%
    St. Louis Blues
    (9 votes)
  • 7%
    Dallas Stars
    (10 votes)
  • 0%
    Carolina Hurricanes
    (1 vote)
  • 0%
    Colorado Avalanche
    (0 votes)
  • 0%
    Columbus Blue Jackets
    (1 vote)
136 votes total Vote Now