2016 NHL Playoffs!

by Lucstar88 Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:12 pm

The 2016 NHL Playoffs start on Wednesday and it's the most wonderful time to be a hockey fan. Unless, you're from Canada

16 US teams all trying to win 16 games and win the Stanley Cup.

Eastern Conference
(A1) Florida Panthers VS (WC1) New York Islanders

The Panthers are pretty much like their NFL counter-part, the Carolina Panthers, as they're a lot of new fans cheering for the team, mostly because of the LEGEND JAROMIR JAGR. After missing last year's playoffs, the Panthers have a great young core of talent, featuring Ekblad, Barkov, Huberdeau and veteran talent like Jagr, Jokinen and Luongo. This is their 2nd Atlantic title.

The Islanders are a good team, having a superstar like John Tavares, will help. Looking for their 5th Championship, none since the dynasty of the 80's. New York is lead by Tavares, Okposo and Nielsen. They lost last year to a Washington Capitals team in 7 games, in the first round.

Prediction: Panthers in 6

(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning VS (A3) Detroit Red Wings

The Lightning are seeking their 2nd title, and are in their prime years of doing so, having several top players like Stamkos, Hedman, Bishop, Kucherov, Johnson. Lately, they've been hit by the injury bug badly, losing Stamkos for the season after a blood clot in this arm appeared. This may be a huge hurdle to overcome. They may also lose Stamkos this off-season as he is a free-agent. They lost to Chicago in the finals last year in 6.

Detroit has been in the playoffs for 25!!! Years. Wow. The core for the team is aging quickly, as Datsyuk is leaving the NHL after this year, but top rookie Dylan Larkin is a X-factor, leading his team in goals as a 19 year old. Last year they lost to Tampa in 7 games. They hope to have a redemption story this year.

Prediction: Detroit in 6

(M1) Washington Capitals VS (WC2) Philadelphia Flyers

The Washington Capitals have been tearing it up this season, leading the NHL with a record of 56-18-8, 120 points. Presidents' Trophy winners. They captured their 9th division title this year. They are led by a all-star crew of Ovechkin, Holtby, KUZZIE, Backstrom, Oshie, Williams. Last year they lost to the New York Rangers in 7. Can they finally win their 1st Stanley Cup? Can Ovi finally win one?

The Philadelphia Flyers barely made it in, surpassing the Boston Bruins in the last weekend of the season. Looking for their 3rd championship. They are lead by the duo of Voracek and Giroux. They have a young defenceman making waves around they league named Shayne Gostisbehere
(Ghost Bear) as a nickname. As a rookie, he collected 17 Goals.

Prediction: Capitals in 5, but brawls a plenty.

(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins VS (M3) New York Rangers

Pittsburgh is back after getting bullied by the Rangers last year, losing in 4 games, but this time, the Penguins look like the better team, led by SIDNEY CROSBY, Kris Letang and KESSEL. The Penguins try to collect their 4th title.

The Rangers have been struggling as of late, but are still a deadly force to deal with. Lead by a great D core of Yandle, McDonagh and a great goalie in LUNDQVIST. They are looking for their 5th Stanley Cup, after losing in 2014-15 to the LA Kings. They lost to Tampa Bay last year in the ECF in 7.

Prediction: Penguins in 7

Western Conference
(C1) Dallas Stars VS (WC2) Minnesota Wild

The Dallas Stars are a high-powered offensive machine, containing Tyler Sequin and Jamie Benn, also included are Jason Spezza and John Klingberg.
After missing the playoffs last year, they won their 8th division title. Looking for their 2nd championship, can the Stars out-score everyone?

The Minnesota Wild made it in after the Colorado Avalanche sucked (Boo..) and are lead by a team of Mikko Koivu, Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
They lost to Chicago, their arch rivals, as the Blackhawks have bullied them in years. 4-0 Chicago. They are trying to win their 1st title.

Prediction: Dallas in 4

(C2) St. Louis Blues VS (C3) Chicago Blackhawks

St Louis is still looking for that championship, as the Blues have never won it. Led by Tarasenko, Steen, Shattenkirk, they look to beat Chicago after being defeated by Chicago two years ago, and losing to Minnesota.

Chicago, what is there to say? They've won 3 out of the last 6 years, and still have young players tearing up the league. Toews, MVP probable Kane and Russian Panarin, are tearing it up in Chi-town. Having one of the best offences in the league. They are trying to defend their championship, which was last done in 98-99 by the Red Wings

Prediction: Chicago in 6

(P1) Anaheim Ducks VS (WC1) Nashville Predators

Anaheim collected 5th division title, and are looking for their 2nd Stanley Cup. Led by Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler. The Ducks last year lost to Chicago in the WCF in 7 games, in a incredible series!

Nashville is looking to collect their 1st cup, and after losing to Chicago in 6 games, which contained multiple OT games, the team led by Shea Weber, featuring Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Pekka Rinne.

Predcition: Ducks in 6

(P2) Los Angeles Kings VS (P3) San Jose Sharks

The LA Kings, after winning cup #2, two years ago, missed the playoffs last year. Led by Milan Lucic, Tyler Toffoli and Anze Kopitar. They are looking to get by with fresher legs.

The Sharks, still looking for their 1st championship, also missed the playoffs last year. Led by veteran player Joe Thornton, and Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns (or Chewbacca) will be trying to get by their California rivals.

Predictions: Kings in 7

2nd Round
Florida VS Detroit: Florida in 5
Washington VS Pittsburgh: Washington in 6
Dallas VS Chicago: Chicago in 7
Anaheim VS Los Angeles: Anaheim in 7

3rd Round
Florida VS Washington: Florida in 6
Chicago VS Anaheim: Chicago in 7

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Florida VS Chicago: Florida in 6