Pucks and Pitchforks First-Round Picks For Stanley Cup Playoffs

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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Villano: The Chicago Blackhawks played a team that was extremely similar to them in Edmonton. That won’t be the case here. Vegas dominates, putting the “Chicago is back” crowd back to bed. Vegas in 4.

DeLuca: The Blackhawks got by the Edmonton Oilers almost with ease. I said it in the previous predictions, never count this team out especially while Patrick Kane still exists. Chicago in 7.

Borges: Robin Lehner sticks it to his old team and the returning Max Pacioretty becomes the X-factor in the series. The experience the Blackhawks had propelled them against the Oilers. The Golden Knights are a better team than the Oilers and will show it against the Blackhawks. Vegas in 6.

Browne: This has the makings of a fun series. Original 6 vs Sin City. More goals for Chicago means more of The Fratellis’s ‘Chelsea Dagger’ being blasted in the background. Yet, Vegas will find ways to score more than Chicago to advance to the next round. Vegas in 6.

Palumbo: I’m high on Vegas and all aboard their glitter train. Chicago took advantage of an Oilers team that can’t get out of it’s way. Vegas will make this look easy. Vegas in 5.

Studna: Behind the Avalanche, the Golden Knights were the most impressive team in the entire round robin. They are reportedly getting Max Pacioretty back for this series which will make them even more dominant. While the Hawks undeniably have a plethora of playoff experience, I don’t think it will be enough. Vegas in 6.

Lebovitz: Yes, Chicago made shorter work of Edmonton than we thought. But Vegas has a few things that the Oilers don’t – namely, more than one NHL-level defesemen and and two actual goalies. Vegas in 5.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Arizona Coyotes

Villano: Maybe this is hopeful thinking, but Darcy Kuemper looked really good for the Arizona Coyotes. Good enough to get us a 2nd-round pick. Colorado looks really good too, but Arizona seems to be clicking like they were early in the season. Arizona in 7.

DeLuca: LOL John Hynes and Nashville Predators. Imagine making this Arizona team look good, this is going to go real fast. Colorado in 4.

Borges: The Coyotes played well and surprised people against the Nashville Predators. However, the Colorado Avalanche are an absolute powerhouse and will continue to roll over teams throughout the postseason. Taylor Hall and Phil Kessel try their best to make it a series, but cannot get it done. Colorado in 5.

Browne: Darcy Kuemper was the difference in the qualifier for Arizona along with Nashville’s ineptitude. Thanks for nothing John Hynes. Kuemper will have to be even better against the Avalanche, who are one of the league’s premier scoring teams. The Avalanche reminds me of last year’s Lightning as they were upset at the hands of the Blue Jackets. Somehow, Arizona steals the series and shocks the hockey world. Arizona in 6.

Palumbo: Unlike the East, the gap between the top teams and bottom teams in the conference is vast. Colorado is a juggernaut in the making. Kudos to the Yotes for making the playoffs, but just like Taylor Hall’s last trip to the dance – it will be short lived. Colorado in 5.

Studna: Saying the Coyotes got absolutely bailed out of their qualifying series with the Predators is an understatement. Darcy Kuemper was one of the most impressive goalies in the qualifiers. However, they won’t be able to hide behind their goalie against a dominant Avalanche squad. Outside of Kuemper playing above his head, the Avalanche are simply better up and down the lineup. Colorado in 5.

Lebovitz: One players or one line can’t win a playoff round, much less a game – ask Taylor Hall – but even with good goaltending I can’t see the Yotes with an answer for MacKinnon. Colorado in 5.

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Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Flames

Villano: The Dallas Stars were my original pick to get out of the Western Conference, and a lot of that pick was because I thought they’d work out the kinks in the round robin. Despite what they looked like a week ago, I’m still confident they win this series. Dallas in 5.

DeLuca: The Stars managed to squeak by the St. Louis Blues in a shootout to receive this matchup. They are badly outmatched here. Calgary in 5.

Borges: This series will be a great one to watch. Anticipate a lot of back and forth action between the teams. Seguin against Gaudreau, Benn against Monohan, and Klingberg vs Giordano. A lot of individual matchups that will be great to keep an eye on. Matthew Tkachuk will put the team on his back and become the hero of the series. Ben Bishop will keep it close though. Calgary in 7.

Browne: Could Matthew Tkachuk get under the skin of Dallas much like he did against Winnipeg? Dallas stays composed, has better goaltending and an all around better team. Dallas in 6.

Palumbo: Tough series to call. I’m going with my gut because I’m not buying what Dallas is selling. Pacific Division cast-offs Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski won’t be enough to defeat the Pacific Division dwelling Flames. Calgary in 7.

Studna: Neither of these squads were overly impressive the past few weeks. The Stars scratched together one shootout win in round robin play, while the Flames took advantage of a crippled Winnipeg Jets roster. Both teams have undeniable talent up-front, but the Stars’ inability to score goals worries me. Calgary in 7.

Lebovitz: The Flames are all sorts of fun, but their goaltending is a real question mark. Lots of the Stars are underperforming – I forgot Pavelski signed there – but they’ll go as far as Ben Bishop can carry them on his stork-like body. Dallas in 6.

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St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks

Villano: St. Louis did not look good in round-robin play, but that really isn’t worrying me like it’s worrying some others. The Vancouver Canucks are wildly outmatched here, but their stars pull one out to go away in 5. St. Louis in 5.

DeLuca: This will probably be the closest series out there. But the defending champs will live to keep the title. St. Louis in 7.

More from Pucks and Pitchforks

Borges: The Blues surprised a lot of people by how bad they played in the round robin tournament. However they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Jordan Binnington will have to be better to carry his team again. Alex Pietrangelo will be motivated enough to try for another run with the Blues before free agency. Another pending UFA Jakob Markstrom will make it interesting but the Blues we all know will come to play. St. Louis in 6.

Browne: Much like Boston, St. Louis did not look like the best version of themselves. Whether it was motivation or just being rusty, the Blues did not look like the team that won the Stanley Cup last season. Vancouver will give them a series, but St. Louis’s experience prevails in the end. St. Louis in 6.

Palumbo: St. Louis is still the defending Cup champs and they won’t go quietly. The Canucks are a good young team on the rise. This should be a great series but I have to go with experience in this one. St. Louis in 6.

Studna: For whatever reason, the Blues looked extremely flat in round robin play going 0-3. However, I’m confident in their ability to flip the switch once the actual playoffs start. On the Canucks’ side of things, I was impressed with the way their young core played despite getting roughed up in most of their games vs. the Wild. Unfortunately for them, they won’t be able to overcome to veteran leadership and experience of the defending champs. St. Louis in 5.

Lebovitz: This is either going to be the best series of the playoffs or the worst, and I have no idea which. I just think Markstrom is too big a question mark, and the Blues, uh, blueline is pretty tough. St. Louis in 7.

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