We’re chugging along with the playoff predictions, this time taking a look at the quarterfinals in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. In the round of 16, we saw Washington defeat Pittsburgh, Philadelphia best the Rangers, Tampa Bay take it to the Isles, and Boston run through the Maple Leafs, again.
In the Western Conference, Edmonton pulled the upset over the Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville pulled another upset, this time over Dallas. St. Louis and Colorado took care of business against the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets, respectively. Now we’re on to the quarterfinals matchups!
If you missed how we got to this point, feel free to re-visit my play-in/round-robin round picks, and my round of 16 picks as well.
Eastern Conference
- (3) PHI v. (4) WSH
- PHI in 5 games
Call it me being a homer, but the Flyers are a damn good team. Adding depth at the deadline is the sign of a veteran GM who knows what it takes to foster success. It will be back and forth, but Philadelphia will prove to be too much for Washington to handle in the end, and will find themselves competing for the Prince of Wales trophy.
- (2) TBL v. (1) BOS
- BOS in 4 games
This is a juggernaut of a matchup, but Tampa Bay always finds a way to squander a premier opportunity. Pair that with Boston’ success, and you have a recipe for a four-game series with the big bad Bruins coming out on top. Tampa wins game one, but it’s all Boston after that.
Western Conference
- (5) EDM v. (6) NSH
- EDM in 5 games
Edmonton and Nashville will prove to be the type of matchup where you expect one team to fold because they’ve been on a run that you don’t think they can sustain, but they’re going to take it down to the wire. In the end, Edmonton’s skill will be too much for the Preds. Edmonton advances to the conference finals to the surprise of many in the hockey world.
- (2) STL v. (1) COL
- STL in 5 games
The matchup that many have been slobbering over is going to happen one round too early. This would have been the perfect series for the Western Conference Finals, but it had to happen in the semi’s. St. Louis and Colorado is going to be an incredible series, chock full of physicality, skill, and premier youth on display. The Blues keep rolling, but not after Colorado puts up one hell of a fight in the process.
Stick with us here at PSN to find out who we have winning the conference championships, as well as the Stanley Cup!
Mandatory Credit – © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
