{"id":84072,"date":"2020-08-10T10:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-08-10T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=84072"},"modified":"2020-08-26T10:30:39","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T14:30:39","slug":"predicting-a-wide-open-2020-stanley-cup-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/08\/10\/predicting-a-wide-open-2020-stanley-cup-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting a Wide-Open 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

After one of the strangest starts to the season in recent years, the NHL (and NHL betting) is finally back in full swing. So is the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24 teams who made up the original post-season have been narrowed down to a total of 16. After the elimination qualifying round and a round-robin knocked out the Edmonton Oilers,<\/a> Florida Panthers<\/a>, Minnesota Wild<\/a>, Nashville Predators,<\/a> New York <\/a><\/span>Rangers<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Pittsburgh<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Penguins, Toronto Maple\u00a0<\/a><\/span>Leafs<\/span>\u00a0and Winnipeg Jets.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs officially kicks off August 11<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0and we\u2019re now well into the four-round journey to the iconic Stanley Cup. All of this season\u2019s games are being played in two Canadian\u00a0hub cities – Eastern Conference games in Toronto and Western Conference games in Edmonton – and we’re all set for some dramatic upsets, comebacks, star making performances, and memorable playoff moments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Stanley Cup Final all set for late September, where are your <\/span>favourites<\/span> going to end up? Can the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> overpower the Columbus Blue Jackets?<\/a> Will 2020 be the year for the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, or will we see a repeat from the St. Louis Blues<\/a>? Read on for our definitive guide to this year\u2019s Stanley Cup and <\/span>Conference<\/span>\u00a0picks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A quick note on sports betting<\/h3>\n

Before we get on with our selections, here\u2019s a quick reminder of our\u00a0<\/span>How-To Guide for NHL betting<\/span><\/a>. The guide covers the different types of bets that you can place on Stanley Cup playoffs games,\u00a0including\u00a0puck lines and money lines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s now been just over 2 years since sports betting was fully legalized in the States, and online sports betting has become a core part of the iGaming industry in the country, which also encompasses online casino\u00a0<\/span>table games like blackjack<\/a>, as well as poker. Not every state has legalized online sports betting platforms, but Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada are among the 12 that have. If you are going to place your bets online for this year’s Cup remember to only do so via a fully-<\/span>regulated<\/span>\u00a0platform that has a licence to\u00a0<\/span>operate<\/span>\u00a0in your state.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs<\/h2>\n

Eastern Conference\u00a0Picks<\/h3>\n

First Round<\/h4>\n

Philadelphia<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Flyers<\/em><\/a>\u00a0vs. Montreal\u00a0 Canadiens<\/a><\/em>– Winner: Flyers<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Canadiens<\/span>\u00a0may be counting on\u00a0<\/span>ice legend Carey Price<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0to get them through the first round,\u00a0<\/span>but<\/span>\u00a0the Flyers are\u00a0<\/span>frankly<\/span>\u00a0looking\u00a0<\/span>unbeatable<\/span>\u00a0right now.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Winner: Blue Jackets<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the\u00a0<\/span>combination<\/span>\u00a0of Zach Werenski, Seth Jones<\/strong> and Joonas\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Korpisalo<\/strong>\u00a0back in goal after a\u00a0<\/span>sensational<\/span>\u00a0All-Star season in 2019, the Blue Jackets look well placed to advance over Tampa Bay to win their\u00a0<\/span>first round<\/span>\u00a0clash.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New York Islanders<\/a> vs. Washington\u00a0Capitals<\/a>\u00a0– Winner: Islanders<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one thing Barry Trotz knows what to do it\u2019s to dominate the Capitals, especially now that his former prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Todd\u00a0<\/span>Reirden<\/span> is in the Caps’ head coach spot. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boston Bruins<\/a> vs. Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> – Winner: Hurricanes<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

While they may not be the most popular team in the league, there\u2019s no doubt that the Hurricanes know how to play a solid game of hockey,\u00a0<\/span>especially<\/span>\u00a0against the depleted Bruins.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Round<\/h4>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers – Winner: Flyers<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Make no mistake, the Flyers haven\u2019t forgotten that they were the hottest team going in to the season earlier in the year and they are dead set on making Stanley Cup history in 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders – Winner: Islanders<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen<\/strong> and Andrei\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Svechnikov<\/strong>\u00a0may be the Hurricanes\u2019 power trio, but rest assured Trotz will have a strong game plan that will ensure the\u00a0<\/span>Islanders<\/span>\u00a0emerge as the victors.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conference Finals<\/h4>\n

New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers \u2013 Winner: Flyers\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The current Philadelphia squad is one of the deepest, what with their balanced scoring and top shutdown\u00a0<\/span>centre<\/span>, Sean <\/strong><\/span>Couturier<\/strong>. Although the Islanders will make short work during the <\/span>conference<\/span>\u00a0playoffs, in the finals they\u2019ll lack the\u00a0<\/span>secondary<\/span>\u00a0scoring needed to get the edge over the Flyers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Western Conference<\/h3>\n

First Round<\/h4>\n

Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> vs. Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> – Winner: Golden Knights<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scoring? Check. Goaltending? Check. Defence? Check. The Knights are one of the best all-round teams this season; this first round meet should be an easy win.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arizona Coyotes<\/a> vs. Colorado Avalanche – Winner: Avalanche<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a now healthy squad, the firepower of the Avalanche will prove too much for the Coyotes to handle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Calgary Flames<\/a> vs. Dallas Stars<\/a> – Winner: Flames<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Stars haven\u2019t been looking great at all, and with Cam Talbot<\/strong> getting those saves in for the Flames they\u2019re on their way to a standout performance. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks<\/a> – Winner: Canucks\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This meet is sure to be a heavy one, but the Canucks will be able to grind through and take on all that St. Louis have to throw at them, thanks to the resurgent Brock Boeser<\/strong> and Jacob Markstrom.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Round<\/h4>\n

Calgary Flames vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Winner: Golden Knights<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Much like the Flyers, the Knights are looking\u00a0<\/span>unstoppable<\/span>\u00a0right now,\u00a0<\/span>especially<\/span>\u00a0with Robin Lehner<\/strong> and Marc-Andre Fleury<\/strong> onboard.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks – Winner: Canucks\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s one of those Playoffs\u00a0<\/span>moments<\/span>\u00a0we\u2019ll be reminiscing about for many seasons to come. It\u2019ll be another grind for the Canucks, but this time it\u2019s all skill against skill. We\u2019ve already seen them pull it off during the regular season, and the Vezina Trophy Conference thanks to that memorable performance from Markstrom, so they\u2019ve certainly got the firepower to pull off another victory.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conference Finals<\/h4>\n

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks – Winner: Golden Knights\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having said that, the Knights are just unstoppable in the Western Conference. Despite their best efforts, after two grueling rounds the Canucks are unlikely to be able to pull off a third.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stanley Cup Final<\/h3>\n

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Winner: Flyers<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be all-out warfare between these two teams, as one attempts to defend their<\/span>\u00a0first ever Stanley Cup title after winning in 2019 and the other will be attempting to end a\u00a0<\/span>45-year<\/span>\u00a0drought. However, Alain Vigneault<\/strong> is dead set on\u00a0executing his best game plan yet, and with\u00a0<\/span>Carter Hart<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0all set to be the next Conn Smythe Trophy winner, our\u00a0<\/span>money\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0on the Flyers to make history in 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n