2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin

This is the best time of the year for hockey fans as the Stanley Cup Playoffs get going today. The round-robin and best of five qualification rounds are done and now it is mission 16W. Sixteen wins will get you the Stanley Cup and that is the focus on all the teams that will take the ice. Let’s take a look at the playoffs and our expectations for who comes out of this first round.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 12 Montreal Canadians

The Flyers come into this series against the Canadiens as one of the hottest teams in the league. The Flyers have rode the wave of great play from, well almost their entire team but Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier will need to step up as they were non-existent during the round robin. Kevin Hayes has been nothing short of phenomenal and for the Flyers to dispatch the Canadiens, Hayes will need to continue the hot play. The Flyers are too strong and should have enough to get past the upset-minded Canadiens.

Prediction: Flyers in 6

No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 9 Columbus Blue Jackets

This is the rematch of the stunning four-game sweep from last year. The Columbus Blue Jackets stunned the hockey world, knocking off the favorite to capture the Cup at that time, Tampa Bay. Columbus is coming off a hard-fought five game qualifying round win over the Maple Leafs and is ready to knock off the favored Lightning again. While Tampa Bay will have some serious motivation to gain some revenge against the Blue Jackets. Columbus certainly has the pieces to pull off another upset but the question will be whether or not the loss last year will be in the heads of the Lightning players. This will be another great series but look for Columbus to sneak out with hard fought win.

Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Islanders

This will be another fantastic series. The Capitals are a team that could be considered a favorite to win the cup but the matchup against the Islanders is a dangerous one. Islanders Coach Barry Trotz has his team playing great hockey right now and are in playoff mode, knocking off the Florida Panthers. Trotz’s defensive style should frustrate the high-powered Capitals, allowing the Islanders to sneak a few games. The Capitals should be primed to score goals, especially with Alex Ovechkin and company. The Islanders defense will keep it lower scoring but Ovechkin and the Capitals offense will have enough to knock off the stingy Isles.

Prediction: Capitals in 7

No. 4 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

There might be no bigger team that is a pain in the butt to play than the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes made easy work of the New York Rangers during the qualification round, while the Bruins looked very sluggish in the round-robin. The Hurricanes are the underdog coming into this series but momentum could play a major part and the Hurricanes have that. This series could get away from Boston quick if they don’t snap into playoff mode. The Hurricanes have what it takes to come away with the series win and will do enough early to get it done.

Prediction: Hurricanes in 7

Western Conference

No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 12 Chicago Blackhawks

Just when you thought the Blackhawks were down and out, they come in and knock off a heavily-favored Edmonton Oilers team. The Golden Knights looked fantastic during their round-robin matchups, winning all three games. With the Blackhawks looking like they have some life still in them, this series could be closer than expected. On paper, Vegas should do a number on Chicago. However, that is not how this will go as expected. The experience of the Blackhawks will be key in this series but the talent and hot play of the Golden Knights will be just enough. Vegas gets it done but it will be a tough series.

Prediction: Golden Knights in 6

No. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 11 Arizona Coyotes

The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the top teams in the NHL all season and are must watch every night. Being in the Western Conference, the Avalanche don’t get many eyes on their games but their forwards are a lot of fun to watch and can do some damage. The depth the Avalanche have will make teams jealous and that will ultimately give the Avalanche the advantage in this matchup. Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper was fantastic in the qualification round and will keep the Coyotes in the series. The Nathan MacKinnon versus Taylor Hall matchup will be the thing to watch as both are top talents in this league. The depth of the Avalanche and their fantastic offense will get the job done over a tough Coyotes team.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6

No. 3 Dallas Stars vs. No. 8 Calgary Flames

This has the makings of being a great series. Both teams are relatively evenly matched. The Flames are coming into this matchup on a bit of a hot streak after knocking off the Winnipeg Jets in the qualifying round. The Flames will be relying heavily on Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan to carry this season so if Dallas can keep them in check, the Stars should be able to move on. Dallas is a veteran heavy team and that experience will help the Stars advance in no more than six games.

Prediction: Stars in 6

No. 4 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 7 Vancouver Canucks

The defending Stanley Cup champions were uncharacteristically bad during the round-robin, losing all three games. The Canucks on the other hand are coming into this matchup with some momentum after knocking off the Minnesota Wild in the qualifying round. The Canucks are led by their young group of forwards. Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson are the ones Vancouver will need to step up and continue their solid play. Like the Boston Bruins, the Blues will need to step it up and get it into gear from game 1, otherwise the Canucks will dispatch the champs. The Blues have enough talent and veteran leadership to help carry them through this series. It will be a tough task but the Blues squeak by in seven games.

Prediction: Blues in 7

The Stanley Cup playoffs are the best in sports and even in the middle of a pandemic, the quality and intensity will show. These series are must watch and stay tuned as we will take a look at the next round moving forward.

Chris Asbrock is a staff writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on Twitter Follow @iamchrisasbrock and Follow @ISCincy