The Stanley Cup Playoffs are at hand and we’ve assembled a panel of Sportsnet NHL Insiders to take a shot at predicting the always unpredictable four-round tournament.
Our panelists have shared their picks for first-round winners, Eastern and Western Conference champions, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup champion.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Montreal Canadiens (A1) vs. New York Rangers (WC1)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Montreal in 6
Eric Engels: Montreal in 6
Christine Simpson: Montreal in 6
Luke Fox: New York in 6
Chris Johnston: Montreal in 6
Mark Spector: Montreal in 6
Gord Stellick: New York in 6
Jeff Marek: Montreal in 7
David Amber: Montreal in 7
Sean McIndoe: Montreal in 7
Daren Millard: Montreal in 6
Ryan Dixon: Montreal in 7
Eric Francis: New York in 6
Rory Boylen: Montreal in 7
Doug MacLean: Montreal in 6
Ottawa Senators (A2) vs. Boston Bruins (A3)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Boston in 7
Eric Engels: Boston in 6
Christine Simpson: Ottawa in 7
Luke Fox: Boston in 6
Chris Johnston: Boston in 6
Mark Spector: Ottawa in 7
Gord Stellick Ottawa in 7
Jeff Marek: Boston in 6
David Amber: Ottawa in 6
Sean McIndoe: Boston in 6
Daren Millard: Ottawa in 7
Ryan Dixon: Ottawa in 6
Eric Francis: Boston in 7
Rory Boylen: Boston in 6
Doug MacLean: Ottawa in 6
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (WC2)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Washington in 5
Eric Engels: Washington in 5
Christine Simpson: Washington in 5
Luke Fox: Washington in 5
Chris Johnston: Washington in 6
Mark Spector: Washington in 4
Gord Stellick: Washington in 5
Jeff Marek: Washington in 4
David Amber: Washington in 5
Sean McIndoe: Washington in 5
Daren Millard: Washington in 5
Ryan Dixon: Washington in 6
Eric Francis: Washington in 5
Rory Boylen: Washington in 5
Doug MacLean: Washington in 5
Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (M3)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Pittsburgh in 6
Eric Engels: Pittsburgh in 7
Christine Simpson: Pittsburgh in 5
Luke Fox: Pittsburgh in 5
Chris Johnston: Pittsburgh in 5
Mark Spector: Pittsburgh in 6
Gord Stellick: Columbus in 6
Jeff Marek: Pittsburgh in 6
David Amber: Pittsburgh in 7
Sean McIndoe: Pittsburgh in 6
Daren Millard: Pittsburgh in 7
Ryan Dixon: Pittsburgh in 7
Eric Francis: Pittsburgh in 7
Rory Boylen: Pittsburgh in 7
Doug MacLean: Pittsburgh in 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Edmonton in 6
Eric Engels: Edmonton in 7
Christine Simpson: Edmonton in 7
Luke Fox: Edmonton in 7
Chris Johnston: Edmonton in 6
Mark Spector: Edmonton in 5
Gord Stellick: Edmonton in 7
Jeff Marek: San Jose in 6
David Amber: Edmonton in 5
Sean McIndoe: Edmonton in 5
Daren Millard: Edmonton in 6
Ryan Dixon: Edmonton in 5
Eric Francis: Edmonton in 6
Rory Boylen: Edmonton in 6
Doug MacLean: Edmonton in 7
Minnesota Wild (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: St. Louis in 6
Eric Engels: Minnesota in 7
Christine Simpson: St. Louis in 5
Luke Fox: Minnesota in 7
Chris Johnston: Minnesota in 6
Mark Spector: Minnesota in 7
Gord Stellick: Minnesota in 6
Jeff Marek: Minnesota in 7
David Amber: Minnesota in 6
Sean McIndoe: Minnesota in 5
Daren Millard: Minnesota in 6
Ryan Dixon: Minnesota in 7
Eric Francis: Minnesota in 6
Rory Boylen: St. Louis in 5
Doug MacLean: St. Louis in 7
Calgary Flames (WC1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P1)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Anaheim in 7
Eric Engels: Calgary in 7
Christine Simpson: Anaheim in 6
Luke Fox: Anaheim in 5
Chris Johnston: Anaheim in 7
Mark Spector: Anaheim in 5
Gord Stellick: Calgary in 6
Jeff Marek: Anaheim in 5
David Amber: Calgary in 6
Sean McIndoe: Anaheim in 7
Daren Millard: Calgary in 6
Ryan Dixon: Anaheim in 6
Eric Francis: Anaheim in 6
Rory Boylen: Anaheim in 5
Doug MacLean: Anaheim in 6
Nashville Predators (WC2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (C1)
More: Sportsnet’s Series Preview
John Shannon: Chicago in 6
Eric Engels: Chicago in 7
Christine Simpson: Chicago in 5
Luke Fox: Chicago in 6
Chris Johnston: Chicago in 7
Mark Spector: Chicago in 5
Gord Stellick: Chicago in 7
Jeff Marek: Nashville in 6
David Amber: Chicago in 7
Sean McIndoe: Chicago in 7
Daren Millard: Chicago in 6
Ryan Dixon: Chicago in 5
Eric Francis: Chicago in 6
Rory Boylen: Chicago in 6
Doug MacLean: Chicago in 6
| East Champ | West Champ | Conn Smythe | Cup Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Shannon | Pittsburgh | Chicago | Toews | Chicago |
| Eric Engels | Montreal | Chicago | Price | Chicago |
| Christine Simpson | Washington | Chicago | Ovechkin | Washington |
| Luke Fox | Washington | Chicago | Holtby | Washington |
| Chris Johnston | Washington | Anaheim | Backstrom | Washington |
| Mark Spector | Pittsburgh | Chicago | Keith | Pittsburgh |
| Gord Stellick | Washington | Calgary | Ovechkin | Washington |
| Jeff Marek | Washington | Nashville | Arvidsson | Nashville |
| David Amber | Washington | Calgary | Holtby | Washington |
| Sean McIndoe | Washington | Chicago | Backstrom | Washington |
| Daren Millard | Washington | Chicago | Holtby | Washington |
| Ryan Dixon | Washington | Chicago | Holtby | Washington |
| Eric Francis | Washington | Anaheim | Backstrom | Washington |
| Rory Boylen | Boston | Chicago | Crawford | Chicago |
| Doug MacLean | Washington | Chicago | Holtby | Washington |
