2015 NHL Playoffs: Bracket Predictions, Canadiens Ducks Stanley Cup?
In the past three years we’ve gotten a total of two series wrong in the first round. While our brackets have tended to fade as the NHL playoffs go on, first round matchups have been something of a specialty for me with Z-Code. That said, I look at this first round as a bunch of volatile, unpredictable matchups. We’ll do this bracket for fun because it’s become something of a tradition, but I won’t be betting every series line anymore — for the first time since college.
I look at this first round as one where anything can happen. The Ottawa Senators are the hottest team in hockey, but I think the Montreal Canadiens might be the best team from top to bottom. I will be staying far away from that matchup, but I’m also picking the Habs to win it all if they can get past the surging Senators and their Hamburglar goalie.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have an explosive offense and a dominant goaltender, but the Detroit Red Wings continued their streak of playoff appearances with an impressive stretch run. They did it with a backup goalie and a lot of young talent infused with veteran leadership. They’ll be a tough out – even if I think the inexperienced Bolts have more talent. Again, this is a series I don’t really like, but I’m on Tampa Bay.
One series I do feel confident in but expect very limited value is the Pittsburgh Penguins matchup with the New York Rangers. New York is a top seed and the Penguins came into the playoffs about as cold as it gets. Further, they choke every year. Once again, the Rangers have an easy road to the conference finals, and I expect them to dominate the Penguins.
Rounding out the East is an exciting matchup between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. Again, I think momentum matters here. While the Islanders broke 100 points this season and found consistent goaltending, they stumbled down the stretch. Ovechkin and company came on strong, and I think they’ll win this series.
Out west, anything is possible. I think the St. Louis Blues are too consistent to fall to the Minnesota Wild. I expect to be able to trust their system and their goaltending, and there is a reason they found their way to a top seed.
The Nashville Predators stumbled down the stretch, but the Chicago Blackhawks haven’t been the same without Patrick Kane. In a battle of two slumping teams with a lot of talent, I side with the better goalie and pick the Preds, but because neither team really has any momentum coming into the postseason I don’t do this with much confidence at all.
The Anaheim Ducks should be able to beat the Winnipeg Jets handily. Anaheim has depth and consistency that the Jets lack. After a long delay, though, Winnipeg is going to be a tough place to win a playoff game on the road. This series could turn into a battle, but the Ducks are the better squad.
Lastly, I don’t really like the Canucks or Flames this year. I thought the Flames squeaked into the postseason and the Canucks have a strange goaltending situation with Eddie Lack and Ryan Miller. We’ve seen that kind of competition falter in the playoffs year after year. While Lack got them there and the Canucks are the better team, I cannot support them with confidence. I think they’ll escape the first round, though, and then fall short.
Attached is a bracket with all our picks. It’s nice that the NHL playoffs are back, but this first round is a total mess. It should make for some really exciting games, but we’ll likely temper our wagers through the first round and pick our spots this postseason.
Either way, it’s the NHL playoffs and it’s going to be a spectacular run to the Stanley Cup. We locked up another profitable NHL season, securing our streak of making money every season I’ve been a professional and published handicapper. Let’s finish it off strong with a nice playoff stretch. Stay tuned for more picks and the end of our contest.
Cheers,
Mark
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