The 2022-23 NHL regular season concluded with 16 of the 32 clubs having qualified for the playoffs. Here are my predictions for which clubs will emerge victorious in Round 1 starting Monday, April 17th. Feel free to submit your predictions in the comments section below.
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers
The Bruins dominated the regular season, setting school records with 65 wins and 135 points. They were the best defensive team in the league and among the highest scored were David Pasternak’s 61 goals. Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksandr Barkov lead the Panthers’ offensive attack but lack the goaltending and depth blues to win this series. BRUINS in five.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
Possessing solid goaltending and a deep defense force that includes Brent Burns and Jacob Slavin, the Hurricanes finished second overall this season. The Islanders play a grinding defensive style tailored for the playoffs while goaltender Ilya Sorokin can steal a series. However, the attack of the Hurricanes, led by Sebastian Ahu, gives them the advantage. Hurricanes at six.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers
The Battle of the Hudson River resumes for the first time in 11 years in one of the most anticipated series on this tour. Led by young stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischer, the Devils are a fast and exciting team. However, Rangers have the advantage with a deep and experienced roster backed up by Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin. Rangers at seven.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning
For the second year in a row, the Leaf and Lightning face off in the first round. The Lightning still has a strong core of talent in Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Brayden Point. However, their supporting cast is not as deep this time around. The Leafs held off from winning at least one playoff series. Top scorers Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares and William Nylander will finally be determined to silence their critics. leaves in six.
Western Conference
Vegas Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets
Despite a roster ravaged by injuries, the Golden Knights finished top of the Western Conference. Led by Jack Eichel and working defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, this club spreads its offense throughout the lineup. The Jets have been inconsistent this season but did catch Connor Helbwick in the postseason. I have a feeling they can pull off an upset if Hellebuyck stays hot and the top scorers recover their early season form. planes in seven.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken
The defending Stanley Cup champions moved up the standings in the second half to win the Central Division title. Backed by Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, they made it despite star defenseman Cale Makar being hampered by injuries. The Kraken have significantly improved their offense and defense this season, but it won’t be enough to beat the more experienced Avs. Avalanche in four.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
The Stars have a well-balanced squad with winger Jason Robertson, defender Miro Heiskanen and goalkeeper Jake Oettinger anchored. Led by wingers Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, the Wild have the goalscoring skills as well as scoring well in Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson. However, their depth at center is getting thinner with Joel Erickson-Ek likely sidelined in the series. Stars in five.
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
The latest 2022 Round 1 rematch is the Oilers’ high-octane two-punch attack of Conor McDavid and Leon Dricetel against the Kings’ improved two-way game led by Anzi Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Oilers were bolstered by the addition of Mattias Ekholm at the trade deadline. However, the Kings did get a boost from two deadline-day business acquisitions, Joona Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov. It should be another hotly contested series but the Oilers offense will come to an end. oils in six.