We brought some fresh blood in for the Stanley Cup playoff picks
in 2022. So, instead of me telling you
what I think (looking back, the rest of my panel seems to beat me every year),
I’ll give you what the panel picks, then I’ll tell you why they are wrong.
Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals
Our panel of five (Jax, Jarrett, Bob, Joe Bob and I) were unanimous
in picking the President’s trophy winning Panthers to down the Caps. My love of
the Panthers dates back to NHL 94 during my freshman year of college. I got so
good at the game no one would play against me unless I was one of the bad teams.
And the Panthers were the worst. And I still won all the time. And then they
made the Stanley Cup finals in 1996. And they have been terrible since then.
But here they are, winning their first playoff series since that 1996 season.
GO PANTH! Fun fact, the Panthers won 52 games after trailing this season. Okay,
not that many but it was a lot.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Four people on our panel picked Tampa Bay, while Jax was the
lone Leafs backer. Three of us had the series going the distance. These two
teams are both stacked. Tampa has won back-to-back cups How much more do they
have in the tank. (I picked the Lightning in 7). Fun fact: I’ve been to Toronto
like 7 times but I’ve never seen the Leafs play there.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins
We unanimously picked the Canes in this round. That’s all I’m
going to say. Fun fact, the Canes were 42-1-0 when leading after 2 periods this
season.
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Four of us picked the Rangers, who are the sexy sleeper cup
winner pick this post-season. The Penguins? Does anyone remember the last time
they had a fully healthy team? Anyway,
Rangers in 6. Fun fact: Sidney Crosby is hurt every time he is supposed to play
a game in Chicago.
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
Another unanimous choice: the Avs. They were head and
shoulders above the rest of the western conference this year. Plus, Nashville barely backed into the playoffs.
And I don’t like them. Except Roman Josi. He’s a stud. Fun fact: Colorado had a 9 game and a 10 game
winning streak this season.
Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues
You all know Bob is a Blues fan, so you know who he picked.
I don’t think Bob has ever picked the Blues to lose a series but I’m way too
lazy to go look that up, so just trust me. Usually, we unite in telling Bob he
is wrong, but we went 3-2 for the Blues in this series. All the experts are
picking this to be the best first round series, so it will likely end up being
a sweep. Fun fact: One year Bob invited a bunch of his friends up to Chicago for
a Hawks Blues game and I got to tag along as the token Hawks fan. The Hawks won
7-1. That was fun.
Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars
How did the Stars make the playoffs? On the flip side how
were the Stars not better. Alas, it
doesn’t matter, as we went 5-0 for the Flames in this one. Fun fact: Calgary’s top line boasts three 35
goal scorers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Our panel picked the Oilers 3-2. I mean, at some point the
Oilers have to win a series or two, right? The Kings were champs 2 out of three
years, then were among the worst teams for a couple years and now have climbed
back into the post season. And the Oilers are still the Oilers. Fun fact: I’m still not sure how to pronounce
(or spell) Draisaitl.
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