After the NHL season came to a thrilling conclusion, the playoffs are set to begin, and the writers here at markerzone.com decided to make some predictions for the upcoming battle for the Stanley Cup. In the Eastern Conference, it seems that nearly every team has a fighting chance to go all the way, while there is a bit more separation in the Western Conference. Here's how each of our writers predicted the 2022 playoffs.
Jon Fuhrman
First Round:
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1. CAR vs. WC1. BOS: Hurricanes in 7 games
2. NYR vs. 3. PIT: Rangers in 6 games
Atlantic Division
1. FLA vs. WC2. WSH: Panthers in 6 games
2. TOR vs. TBL: Lightning is 6 games
Central Division
1. COL vs. WC2. NSH: Avalanche in 4 games
2. MIN vs. 3. STL: Blues in 6 games
Pacific Division
1. CGY vs. WC1. DAL: Flames in 5 games
2. EDM vs. 3. LAK: Kings in 7 games
Second Round:
1. FLA vs. 3. TBL: Panthers in 7 games
1. CAR vs. 2. NYR: Hurricanes in 6 games
1. COL vs. 3. STL: Avalanche in 7 games
1. CGY vs. 3. LAK: Flames in 5 games
Conference Finals:
1. FLA vs. 1. CAR: Panthers in 6 games
1. COL vs. 1. CGY: Flames in 6 games
Stanley Cup Final:
1. FLA: vs. CGY: Flames in 6 games
Stanley Cup Champions: Calgary Flames
Conn Smythe Winner: Matthew Tkachuk
Tim Tucker
First Round:
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1. CAR vs. WC1. BOS: Hurricanes in 6 games
2. NYR vs. 3. PIT: Rangers in 7 games
Atlantic Division
1. FLA vs. WC2. WSH: Panthers in 5 games
2. TOR vs. TBL: Lightning in 5 games
Central Division
1. COL vs. WC2. NSH: Avalanche in 5 games
2. MIN vs. 3. STL: Blues in 6 games
Pacific Division
1. CGY vs. WC1. DAL: Flames in 4 games
2. EDM vs. 3. LAK: Oilers in 6 games
Second Round:
1. CAR vs. 2. NYR: Hurricanes in 6 games
1. FLA vs. 3. TBL: Panthers in 7 games
1. COL vs. 3. STL: Avalanche in 6 games
1. CGY vs. 2. EDM: Flames 7 games
Conference Finals:
1. FLA vs. 1. CAR: Panthers
1. COL vs. 1. CGY: Flames
Stanley Cup Final:
1. FLA vs. 1. CGY: Flames
Stanley Cup Champions: Calgary Flames
Conn Smythe Winner: Matthew Tkachuk
Cooper Godin
First Round:
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1. CAR vs. WC1. BOS: Hurricanes in 6 games
2. NYR vs. 3. PIT: Rangers in 5 games
Atlantic Division
1. FLA vs. WC2. WSH: Panthers in 5 games
2. TOR vs. TBL: Lightning in 7 games
Central Division
1. COL vs. WC2. NSH: Avalanche in 4 games
2. MIN vs. 3. STL: Wild in 6 games
Pacific Division
1. CGY vs. WC1. DAL: Flames in 5 games
2. EDM vs. 3. LAK: Oilers in 7 games
Second Round:
1. CAR vs. 2. NYR: Hurricanes in 6 games
1. FLA vs. 3. TBL: Panthers in 7 games
1. COL vs. 2. MIN: Avalanche in 5 games
1. CGY vs. 2. EDM: Oilers in 7 games
Conference Finals:
1. FLA vs. 1. CAR: Panthers in 5 games
1. COL vs. EDM: Avalanche in 6 games
Stanley Cup Final:
1. COL vs. 1. FLA: Avalanche in 6 games
Stanley Cup Champions: Colorado Avalanche
Conn Smythe Winner: Mikko Rantenen
Colton Pankiw
First Round:
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1. CAR vs. WC1. BOS: Hurricanes in 6 games
2. NYR vs. 3. PIT: Rangers in 6 games
Atlantic Division
1. FLA vs. WC2. WSH: Panthers in 6 games
2. TOR vs. TBL: Lightning in 7 games
Central Division
1. COL vs. WC2. NSH: Avalanche in 5 games
2. MIN vs. 3. STL: Wild in 7 games
Pacific Division
1. CGY vs. WC1. DAL: Flames in 5 games
2. EDM vs. 3. LAK: Oilers in 6 games
Second Round:
1. CAR vs. 2. NYR: Hurricanes in 6 games
1. FLA vs. 3. TBL: Lightning in 7 games
1. COL vs. 2. MIN: Avalanche in 6 games
1. CGY vs. 2. EDM: Flames in 6 games
Conference Finals:
1. CAR vs. 3. TBL: Lightning in 6 games
1. COL vs. 1. CGY: Avalanche in 7 games
Stanley Cup Final:
1. COL vs. 3. TBL: Avalanche in 6 games
Stanley Cup Champions: Colorado Avalanche
Conn Smythe Winner: Nathan MacKinnon
Brennen Beaudin
First Round:
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1. CAR vs. WC1. BOS: Hurricanes in 6 games
2. NYR vs. 3. PIT: Rangers in 4 games
Atlantic Division
1. FLA vs. WC2. WSH: Panthers in 6 games
2. TOR vs. TBL: Lightning in 7 games
Central Division
1. COL vs. WC2. NSH: Avalanche in 5 games
2. MIN vs. 3. STL: Wild in 7 games
Pacific Division
1. CGY vs. WC1. DAL: Stars in 6 games
2. EDM vs. 3. LAK: Oilers in 5 games
Second Round:
1. CAR vs. 2. NYR: Hurricanes in 5 games
1. FLA vs. 3. TBL: Lightning in 7 games
1. COL vs. 2. MIN: Wild in 6 games
2. EDM vs. WC1. DAL: Stars in 6 games
Conference Finals:
1. CAR vs. 3. TBL: Hurricanes in 7 games
2. MIN vs. WC1. DAL: Wild in 5 games
Stanley Cup Final:
1. CAR vs. 2. MIN: Wild in 6 games
Stanley Cup Champions: Minnesota Wild
Conn Smythe Winner: Kirill Kaprizov
