With the conference finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2018 set, let’s take a look at our final predictions for the two series
With the Winnipeg Jets beating the Nashville Predators in Game 7 on Thursday, May 10, the conference finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2018 are finally set. The two series should be outstanding and full of compelling narratives. Not to mention they should feature exciting on-ice products.
The Eastern Conference Finals will feature the Atlantic Division champion Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals. These two teams have looked extremely impressive during the postseason, disposing of their first two opponents in 10 games and 12 games, respectively.
Out west, the Western Conference Finals consists of two teams nobody thought would be there in October. The Vegas Golden Knights have emerged from the Pacific Division portion as the most successful expansion team in NHL history. They hope to keep their Cinderella run going. However, the Golden Knights will face their toughest competition yet in the Jets, who beat the President’s Trophy-winning Predators. Both franchises are in the first-ever Western Conference Final.
Capitals vs. Lightning
Why Washington can win: The Caps have slain two postseason demons so far. They’ve overcome a lot, including losing their first two playoff games at home in overtime. In past years, the Capitals haven’t been able to get big goals when they’ve needed them. This year, they’re finally getting them.
Few teams can match the Lightning’s top two forward lines, but if Nicklas Backstrom is healthy, Washington can. If the Capitals can keep Nikita Kucherov’s line and Brayden Point’s line in check, that will go a long way to helping them win.
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Washington will need to get on power-plays in order to win. That’s where they hold the most significant advantage over the Lightning.
Why Tampa Bay can win: Luckily for the Lightning, the Capitals didn’t exactly do a good job of keeping Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel in line. And even if the top two forward lines wash each other out, Tampa Bay possesses the overall advantage in forward depth.
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Their defense has been outstanding this postseason. The Lightning beat one of the best teams in the NHL, the Boston Bruins, in five games. So far, nobody has been able to slow Tampa Bay down.
Prediction: Don’t count out the Capitals. The Lightning are the better and more rested team. My head says Tampa Bay, but I’m going with my heart. Washington in seven.
Jets vs. Knights
Why Winnipeg can win: The Jets have slain their top competition. Winnipeg beat Nashville in an exciting seven-game series. The Golden Knights have been very good this postseason, but the Jets have been better. It will be difficult for Vegas to match their forward depth, with Mark Scheifele and Paul Stastny leading the way.
Home-ice advantage still means something even after the Jets lost twice at home against the Predators. Winnipeg has it, which in a close series like this one, might wind up being the deciding factor.
Why Vegas can win: Marc-Andre Fleury has been playing out of his mind this postseason. He’s stopped just about everything he has seen in Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Knights also have a fast team who can strike quickly. Few teams can match Winnipeg’s top forward line, but Vegas can with Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith.
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Prediction: This should be an extremely close series. But Winnipeg in seven.
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